Have fun with these San Diego Events in December. Family Activities, Holiday and Christmas Activities in San Diego, California.
Last updated May 12 2012 - San Diego Events December 2012.
San Diego Events December 2012
2013 Tide Calendar - Now is a great time to order calendars for 2013. Why not order a calendar with the graphical tides, so you can tell when it is a great time to go the your favorite San Diego beach? You can personalize with photos from your fun time in San Diego. These make great Christmas gifts too. Order 2013 Personalized Tidelines Calendar.
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. $14.00 - $19.00 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
Hotel del Coronado Historic Walking Tour - Tuesdays and Friday at 10:30 AM, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 PM. 75 minute walking tour of the famous historic Hotel del Coronado, let by docents from the Coronado Historical Association. $15 for adults, children 12 and under free. Reservations recommended. 619.437.8788
Balboa Park December Nights 2012 - Friday December 7 2012 5-10 PM and Saturday Dec. 9 2012 noon to 10 PM at Balboa Park. The largest free community festival in SD to kick-off the holiday season. Don't miss out on one of the best San Diego events. Some museums open free both evenings from 5- 9 PM. Balboa Park December Nights
San Diego Holiday Art Festival - TBD December 2012 at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Open 10 AM – 6 Pm (5 pm on Sunday). Unique Christmas gifts. Handcrafted items and one-of-a-kind gifts. Circus acts, bands and other entertainment. $8 adult admission, children 12 and under are free. For more information San Diego Holiday Festival
Encinitas Holiday Parade - Saturday December 1 2012 at 5 PM on Coast Highway 101 between D street to J street in downtown Encinitas. Holiday parade and tree lighting ceremony. Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:00pm 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
Photo of Santa from A Christmas Tabernacle
A Christmas Tabernacle - TBD days 2012 11 AM - 10 PM at NTC Liberty Station. The true meaning and spirit of Christmas will come alive at A Christmas Tabernacle, a new family-friendly San Diego holiday festival. Fun activities and entertainment including 100+ specialty-goods vendors, a food court, Christmas concerts and performances, a living nativity scene, interactive workshops, Santa's Village, a themed Christmas tree area, and a fun zone complete with a real snow- play area, games and attractions. Daily admission $12–$18, with multi-day passes also available. Buy tickets online or at the door. A Christmas Tabernacle
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.
Holiday Events and Christmas Activities - Looking for holiday activities in San Diego, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, and Coronado? See Christmas Activities in San Diego.
Balboa Park Free Museum Tuesday for Residents and Military - Some Balboa Park museums are free on 1st - 4th Tuesdays of each month to locals (San Diego Cal. City & county residents), and active military and their families. The free admission is on a rotating basis. Check out the Free Tuesday Balboa Park museum schedule.
IMAX movie - Daily at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park San Diego, California. Enjoy an IMAX film. Early bird specials every Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM - enjoy a family-friendly early Bird Special IMAX film for $8.50 and free admission to all exhibit galleries. Additional films may play at different events, such as on Fridays at the Fleet, so check the schedule.
Weekend Beach Walks - December 15 - 16 2012 from about 3:00 – 4:45 PM or December 29 - 30 from about 3:00 - 4:30 PM will be a nice time to walk some of the local beaches at low tide. Best San Diego Beaches for Walking
La Jolla Coast Walk - Sight see along the beautiful La Jolla coast with this easy walk, popular all year around, and especially nice during the holiday season. Bring your camera for some spectacular shots. See the famous La Jolla Children's Pool, which is usually occupied by a colony of harbor seals. Snap some photos of La Jolla Cove, Scripps Park, and the La Jolla Sea Caves. One of the best free San Diego outdoor activities. La Jolla Coast Walk
Explore Tidepools - Monday December 10 - Sunday December 16, Christmas Day Dec. 25 – Dec. 31 2012, at various times at low minus tides. Fall and winter is the best time to explore the San Diego tide pools. It's free and a great weekend kids activity. Here is a list of best times to visit and more information about the San Diego Tide Pools.
La Jolla Christmas Parade, Classic Christmas and Holiday Festival - 2012 date TBD 2:00 pm. Join in the fun. Equestrians, floats and antique aircraft fly over earlier in the day, with the La Jolla 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 of course photos with Santa at the Rec Center. The tree lighting begins at 4:30. One of the traditional San Diego events December. La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Holiday Wonderland in Del Mar - 2012 day TBD 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. Holiday Wonderland
Jingle Bell Run/Walk - TBD December 2012 8 AM at Balboa Park (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 Dog Beaches - Take your dog to the beach! Choose your favorite San Diego Dog Beach from all the ones we have listed. One of the best San Diego activities for dogs and dog lovers. San Diego Dog Beaches.
photo - Amandavilla 2008 Winner Parade of Lights
San Diego Bay Parade 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. Don't miss this San Diego events December. This years theme for the 40th anniversary is “Back to the Future”. San Diego Bay Parade of Lights.
Parade of Lights Holiday Party - Sunday December 9 or Sunday Dec. 16 2012. Get one of the best views of Parade on San Diego Bay, from the steam ferry Berkeley. This annual San Diego event will sell out fast. Museum admission, dinner and holiday entertainment. Reservations required. Last year ticket prices $50 adult ticket, $25 child ticket. Buy your ticket now to this awesome Southern California event. San Diego Parade of Lights Holiday Party
Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade - Sunday, December 9 2012 at 3 PM at corner of 4th Ave. and K street. Dress up your pet (and you!) in a 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 , parties, and more. $10 to register and free to watch. Holiday Pet Parade
Ice Skating by the Sea - tentative dates November 21 2012 through Jan. 1 2013 at The Del, Hotel del Coronado. Enjoy outdoor ice skating at Coronado beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Daily sessions from 2-5, 6-9 and weekend and holidays/school break from 11-1. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $15 for kids for three-hour sessions, and $15 adults and only $10 child ticket for two-hour matinee. per person. Hot chocolate and holiday drinks make this a festive San Diego holiday activity. For more information and schedule see Hotel del Skating by the Sea.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - 2012 datys TBD at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego Balboa Park. A favorite holiday event tradition with the Grinch. What better way to spend a Christmas in San Diego than with the Grinch. Shows at 11 AM, 2 PM and 5 PM. Kids under 3 allowed at 11 AM shows only. Buy Grinch Tickets
Whale Watching in San Diego - California Gray Whales undergo their annual migration from Alaska through San Diego and onto Baja California. During December - April, whale watching is at its best, as the whales migrate close to shore and can be seen from land or see. For more information see San Diego Whale Watching.
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
The Nutcracker - 2012 days TBD in San Diego. No Christmas season would be complete without The Nutcracker ballet.
Mission Bay Christmas Parade of Lights - December 2012 day TBD at San Diego Mission Bay Park. Free 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.
Family Days at Maritime Museum - tentative Wednesday December 26 2012 at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. All kids 12 and under are free. Kids activities from 11 AM – 3 pm. Only two children per adult admitted free, adult admission is $14. For $3 you can take a Historic Bay Cruise on San Diego Bay aboard the 1914 harbor Pilot boat. One of the fun San Diego events December for families. For more information and show times see Family Days.
Big Bay Balloon Parade and Family Festival - tentative Wednesday Dec. 26 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, The Del’s New Year’s Eve Gala. The evening will begin with a champagne reception in the magnificent Crown Room, followed by a lavish dinner in the oceanfront Ballroom, dancing to the contemporary sounds of local favorites. Ages 21 and up. $275. Additional parties for children and teenagers including dinner, beach games and bonfire. For more information and schedule see Hotel del New Year’s Eve Gala.
Big Night San Diego Sat. Dec. 31 2012 9 PM - 3 AM - Get your tickets now for the Big Night San Diego, the hottest New Year’s Eve party in Southern California to bring in 2013, located at the new Hilton San Diego Bayfront hotel. Twelve themed party areas, six dance floors, hot bands and DJ’s, fireworks and more. Buy tickets now for discounted price of $109.99. Main event or VIP tickets. Save more for 10 or more tickets. These prices will go up soon. This San Diego New Years Eve party is for ages 21+ only. One of the best San Diego Events December. Big Night San Diego .
Other Holiday Events and Christmas Activities in San Diego - For other fun family Christmas activities and winter holiday events, see Christmas Activities in San Diego.
San Diego Events Schedule
Featuring events in San Diego and the beach towns of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, La Jolla, Coronado, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach and Imperial Beach California.
San Diego Events May 2012 - Don't miss out on these great May 2012 Events including spring festivals, walking tours and more fun things to do in San Diego.
Disneyland - 2 days for only $99! Take a great Southern California vacation to the happiest place on earth. See the new World of Color Show at California Adventure. Get your 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 King Kong, Water world and more at Universal Studios Hollywood with this special deal. Get your Universal Studios Discount Tickets.
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