Holiday cheer doesn’t have to come with a chill. This season, trade snow boots for sandals and discover a coastal wonderland in San Diego where sunshine meets seasonal magic and the holidays sparkle with ocean views.

From beachside ice rinks, glittering boat parades, jingle bells with pandas, and symphony carols under the stars, San Diego delivers a twist on the holidays, where every day feels merry and bright. 

Attractions

Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

When: Dec. 19, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
Familiar holiday traditions take on a wild twist at the Zoo's Jungle Bells celebration. The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and decorations, with music filling the air, joyful roaming entertainers, and special food items and sweets available. During Jungle Bells festivities, the Zoo will close at 8 p.m.

Holidays at Legoland

When: Nov. 22, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
It's time for Holidays at LEGOLAND®, where the park is bursting with holiday cheer and festive décor! Your favorite holiday characters Santa, the Toy Solider and Gingerbread Man are back. Head over to Fun Town where there's a 30-foot, fully decorated LEGO® Christmas tree with over 400 LEGO ornaments. And as the day winds down, the tree gets a-twinklin' to holiday tunes at the Holiday Light Show.

December Nights at Balboa Park

When: Dec. 5 – 6, 2025
Back again is the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival in beautiful Balboa Park, December Nights. The family friendly event brings San Diegans together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and of course, the amazing food.

Hotels

Skating by the Sea at the Hotel Del Coronado

When: Nov. 21, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025

One of California’s most recognizable and scenic ice rinks welcomes skaters of all ages with an incomparable backdrop of the stunning Pacific Ocean and The Del’s iconic red turret on the hotel’s Windsor Lawn.

Winter Wonderland at the Lafayette Hotel & Club

When: Through December
For an over-the-top California Christmas, check into the historic Lafayette Hotel & Club. With a lobby doused floor to ceiling in holiday decorations and unique offerings through the new year, The Lafayette Hotel is a maximalist winter wonderland with festive cocktails and fun events, including Holiday Tea Service and Night Moves with San Diego.

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at San Diego Mission Bay Resort

When: Dec. 11

San Diego Mission Bay Resort kicks off the holiday season with the grand lighting of its iconic Christmas tree. The evening includes visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday games, hot chocolate, letter-writing to Santa, and more.

Restaurants and Bars

Step into “Lala-Land” at Lala in Little Italy

When: Through December

This December, Little Italy hotspot Lala is bringing back its signature holiday pop-up, Lala-Land, transforming the bar into a whimsical, over-the-top Christmas wonderland.

Miracle at Draft

When: Through Jan. 5, 2026
The waterfront Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up is back at Draft! Decked out with over-the-top holiday decor and collectible mugs, Miracle at Draft is a great spot to sip on exclusive, handcrafted cocktails that celebrate the flavors of the season after a day of fun at the Winter Wonder Beachside at Belmont Park.

“Yo Ho Ho-liday Tavern” at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego

When: Nov. 22 – Dec. 31

Set sail for the holiday season with a spirited twist at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego’s “Yo Ho Ho-liday Tavern” pop-up, taking over LandShark Bar & Grill . This limited-time immersive holiday experience will showcase festive cocktails, pirate-themed décor accented with nautical holiday details, live pirate appearances, and a specially curated selection of seasonal food and drink offerings.

The Golden Girls Christmas Experience at Bayside Kitchen

When: Nov. 19, 2025 – Jan. 11, 2026
Get ready to make like TV's beloved sitcom icons Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia at this pop-up experience inspired by The Golden Girls Kitchen. The experience includes such fun touches as "Golden Girls"-themed sweets, seasonal cocktails and a chance to pose for photos in Blanche’s Boudoir (complete with shag carpet and a palm-print bedspread).

Arts and Culture

"Noel Noel" at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

When: Dec. 19 – 21, 2025

Experience the San Diego Symphony's holiday tradition, "Noel Noel," at the stunning Rady Shell at Jacobs Park on San Diego's Embarcadero. Featuring such musical favorites as "I'll be Home for Christmas, "Silent Night" and "Slight Ride," the evening will be full of Christmas classics, singalongs, holiday cheer and jolly spirit, featuring Mrs. Claus.

Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

When: Nov. 5 – Dec. 31, 2025
Can’t miss this San Diego’s local tradition. Celebrate the holidays as the Tony Award-winning Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.

"A Christmas Carol"

When: Nov. 26 – Dec. 28, 2025
Cygnet Theatre continues its beloved, long-running tradition of staging the timeless holiday classic about Ebenezer Scrooge and the meaning of Christmas, with sumptuous visuals and plenty of music of the season. This is a great way to experience Cygnet Theatre’s new state-of-the-art home, The Joan, in Liberty Station.

Twinkling lights & more

Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

When: Dec. 14 and 21, 2025
Enjoy the sparkling waters of San Diego Bay and the sight of more than 80 private boats decorated with holiday lights at the annual Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Great views are available from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park and Coronado's Ferry Landing.

Holiday Tree Lighting at Liberty Station

When: Nov. 28

Kickstart the holiday season with Liberty Station’s annual lighting of the iconic 88-foot Norfolk pine tree paired with live entertainment, firetruck rides and photos with Santa. Cozy up under the twinkling lights for an outdoor showing of “the Grinch.” 

Hanukkah Celebration & Menorah Lighting at Liberty Station

When: Dec. 14

In partnership with The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach, Liberty Station will host a public menorah lighting in its Central Promenade to celebrate Hanukkah. The FREE family-friendly festivity will be complete with music, live entertainment and the traditional lighting of the menorah.  

Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village

When: Dec. 6, 2025
Little Italy transforms into a winter wonderland with Christmas twinkle lights down all the streets adorned with 10-foot tall nutcrackers and kinetic tree holiday displays on street corners, Christmas songs and more.