Join in these fun Christmas Activities and Christmas Holiday Events in San Diego, CA. Visit with Santa and see the spectacular holiday tree lights in San Diego.
Last updated December 31 2012 Christmas Activities.
For other San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, and Coronado events and activities in Southern California during November and December, see San Diego Events November and San Diego Events December.
Holiday Events and Christmas Events 2012 Kids Christmas Activities Family Christmas Activities
Christmas Gifts - Personalized 2013 Tide Calendar - Now is a great time to order personalized photo calendars for 2013. You can order calendars with the graphical tides, so you can tell when it is a great time to go the your favorite beach. Great Christmas gifts and happy memories. Order 2013 Personalized Calendars.
2012 Del Mar Holiday of Lights - Night time event from Thanksgiving night Nov. 22 – January 1, 2013 at the Del Mar fairgrounds in SoCal. Every night 5:30 – 10:00 except closed Mondays Nov 28, Dec 5 and Dec. 12) (10:30 pm on Fri. and Sat. This fun family event is the largest animated drive-through light show on the West Coast. 400 lively displays. $15.00 - $20.00 per car. Hayrides $10 (buy tickets in advance) No motorcycles or two-wheel vehicles allowed. Driving directions: Exit Interstate 5 at Via de la Valle and enter the fairgrounds on Jimmy Durante Blvd. (Buy discount tickets for $12.00 at San Diego County Albertsons|Sav-on stores starting in mid-November) One of the local favorite San Diego events in December. Holiday of Lights
Holiday Festival…A Family Celebration - Wednesday November 28 2012 from 4pm - 7pm at Hotel del Coronado. Enjoy outdoor ice skating at Coronado beach, and a visit with St. St. Nick and his elves at Santa’s Village at The Del. Sip hot cocoa, libations, and enjoy the festive entertainment and fireworks. The resort’s 100,000 twinkling white lights will provide a magical backdrop for the evening’s festivities. For more information and schedule see Hotel del Holiday Festival.
Holiday Tree Lighting and Celebration at the Forum in Carlsbad - tentative Fri Nov. 22 at The Forum shopping center in Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Carnival from 10 - 7, free horse and carriage rides from 2 - 7. Santa will light the Christmas Tree at 7 PM and kids can see Santa until 8:30 pm Carlsbad Forum Christmas Event
Mission Bay Christmas Parade of Lights - December 8 2012. 7 PM at San Diego Mission Bay Park. Free SD holiday parade at 7 PM followed by fantastic firework display at 9:00 PM. More than 60,000 people are expected. The best viewing is from Riviera Shores, Crown Point, Santa Clara Point, the east side of Vacation Island the west side of Fiesta Island.
Encinitas Holiday Parade - Sat. December 1 2012 starting at 5 PM in downtown Encinitas Cal. Holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony in historic Encinitas. Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:00 pm in the Lumberyard shopping center courtyard on Coast Highway 101. The Parade begins at 5:30, heading south along Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street. Encinitas Holiday Parade
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival - Sunday Dec. 2 2012. Join in the holiday fun with horses, floats and antique planes fly over earlier in the day, with the La Jolla San Diego parade starting at 2 pm in downtown La Jolla at Kline & Gerard. After the parade at 3:30 is a festival with crafts, games, fun and food, and Santa. The tree lighting begins at 4:30. La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Disneyland Christmas 2012 - November 12 2012 - January 6 2013. Disneyland Christmas holiday time at the happiest place on earth. Take your loved ones on a Disneyland Christmas holiday vacation. Disneyland Christmas 2012
Legoland Holiday Snow Days - November 23 - December 31 2012. Enjoy some fun snow play at Legoland. Special discount rates apply only $59. Legoland California
Photo credit Rancho Noel Trees, Potrero
Cut Your Christmas Tree - No list of Christmas activities would be complete without the holiday tradition of cutting your own Christmas tree from a local farm in San Diego. For a list of farms or lots see San Diego Christmas Tree Farms
Holiday Wonderland in Del Mar - Sat. December 1 2012 from 2 - 6 PM. Horse and carriage rides, Santa, cake walk, live music from 4 – 5 pm, and 5 pm tree lighting and more in downtown Del Mar. Highway 101 from 15th street to 11th street. More fun Christmas activities for this holiday season. Holiday Wonderland
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - November 17 - December 29 at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego Balboa Park. Christmas activities wouldn't be the same without the Grinch. Shows at 11 AM, 2 PM and 5 PM. Kids under 3 allowed at 11 AM shows only. San Diego Grinch Tickets
Julian Christmas Tree Lighting - Saturday after Thanksgiving ( Nov. 24 2012) at Julian’s Pioneer Park. Festivities to open the Christmas season begin at 4 PM, and the tree lighting at 6 PM in the charming historic town of Julian. Christmas carols, Santa. Free admission for this Christmas event. For more information Julian Living Christmas Tree
Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade - Sunday, December 9 2012 at 3 PM. Wear you holiday costume and join the parade. Prizes for Best Costumed Duo, Cutest Critter, Best Pet Costume & Best of Show. Enjoy the pet expo from 1-5 PM, parties, and more. $10 to register and free to watch. Holiday Pet Parade
2013 Entertainment Books on Sale - Now is the perfect time to order your 2013 Entertainment Book for San Diego - full of 2 for 1 and 50% discounts for some of your favorite things to do. 2013 San Diego Entertainment Book. This makes a great gift idea, and pays for itself when you use just one or two coupons.
Garden of Lights - December 8 – 23, 26 – 30 2012 from 5 – 9 PM at San Diego Botanic Gardens (formerly Quail Botanic Gardens) in Encinitas. Dazzling light display, holiday crafts, horse drawn wagon rides and more. Tickets $4 to $12 per person. For more information see San Diego Botanic Gardens
Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood - Grinchmas returns to Universal Studios in late December through the holidays. Get in the holiday spirit with the Grinch, at Universal Studios Hollywood, and get 2012 admission free.
The Nutcracker - Dates vary. No Christmas season would be complete without The Nutcracker ballet. one of the best San Diego Christmas activities.
Jingle Bell Run/Walk 2012 - December 15 2012 8 AM at Balboa Park San Diego (Park Blvd. and Presidents Way). Put on your reindeer antlers and running shoes in the fun San Diego event to support the Arthritis Foundation.
San Diego Bay of Lights - Sunday December 9 and Sunday Dec. 16 2012 from 5:30 – 9:00 PM . The parade of decorated boats starts at southwest end of Shelter Island, and travels past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace before ending at the navy carrier turning basin. This years theme is “The Sounds of Christmas”. San Diego Bay Parade of Lights.
Big Bay Balloon Parade 2012 - Thursday December 27 2012 10 AM in downtown San Diego CA. The Port of San Diego brings this televised exciting family event full of marching bands, magnificent floats, drill teams and enormous balloons. Family Festival activities afterwards at the Broadway Pier. For more information, or to pre-order your Grandstand tickets for preferred seating, see San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade
The Del New Year’s Eve Gala - 2012 New Years Eve San Diego party at The Del, Hotel del Coronado. Ring in 2013 at a San Diego New Years party, and expensive but delightful evening. Champagne reception in the magnificent Crown Room, followed by a lavish dinner and dancing in the oceanfront Ballroom. Ages 21 and older only. Tickets cost ~ $275. Additional parties for children and teenagers including dinner, beach games and bonfire. Hotel Del New Years Eve Party.
Other Fun Things to Do in San Diego - For other fun events and activities in December, see San Diego Events December.
San Diego Events June 2013 - Don't miss out on these great June 2013 Events including fun festivals, hikes, beach events and more fun things to do in San Diego.
San Diego County Fair 2013 - Join in the fun in Del Mar at the San Diego County Fair from June 8 through July 4.
San Diego Fireworks - Summer isn't the same without July 4th fireworks and celebrations. See our list and google map of the best San Diego Fireworks for July Fourth!
Custom Search
SoCal Theme Parks
Disneyland - We just got back from Disneyland and had a great time. Use those Fast Passes to avoid the lines. Save money with our advice on how to buy Cheap Disneyland tickets.
Legoland Coupons - See the San Diego Padres Swinging Friar and more lego art at Legoland. Pick up your discount Legoland coupons before you go.
Universal Studios - See Transformers 3D, King Kong 3D and more at Universal Studios Hollywood with this special deal. Get your Universal Studios Discount Tickets.
San Diego Zoo and Safari Park - Visit the world famous San Diego Zoo and its wild animal Safari Park. Discount Tickets San Diego Zoo.
Sea World San Diego - Enjoy the animal shows, rides, and acrobatic shows Sea World Discounts.
Get Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our electronic newsletter titled San Diego Lovers, and receive seasonal updates on activities and things to do in San Diego and Southern California.
