2014 San Diego Holiday Event Guide

Line-up of local events in San Diego for the 2014 holiday season

San Diego Holiday Event Calendar

Rady Fantasy on Ice, Nov. 20 - Jan. 4
Open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, the Horton Square Ice Rink is an outdoor winter wonderland that doubles as a fundraiser for Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady's Children's Hospital. Adults: $14. Children: $12. Military: $10. Season passes available.

Holiday on Horton Square Downtown Tree Lighting, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.
The Downtown San Diego tree lighting ceremony featuring music, ice skating and famous Disney faces will be televised live on NBC 7 San Diego.

Hard Rock Cafe Family Day at Horton Square, Saturday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Entertainment, family activities and $10 admission.

Petco Park Holiday Wonderland, opens Friday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.
Open on 12 select nights in December. Features Santa's Workshop, Polar Express trains, a winter Candyland, the opportunity to feed live reindeer and photos with Santa Claus. Adults: $15. Children: $10. Kids under 3 free. Military, group and event discounts available. Tickets on sale now.

The elves at Petco Park are putting the finishing touches on “Holiday Wonderland,” a winter extravaganza which opens this week. Padres Chief Marketing Officer Wayne Partello stopped the NBC 7 studios to share details about the activities and exhibits families can enjoy to get them in the holiday spirit.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe Theater, Nov. 15 - Dec. 27
The Old Globe presents the 17th year of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Children under three admitted only during 11:00 a.m. performances.Sensory-friendly showing for families with children with Autism on Dec. 13 at 10:00 a.m. Performance calendar available online.Tickets on sale now

Legoland Holiday Snow Days & Winter Nights, Nov. 22 - Jan. 4
Opening night tree lighting; Sarah Michelle Gellar of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and musician Ben Harper turn the lights on Dec. 1. New this year, ice skating! Visitors can also enjoy building a snowman with Lego accessories, taking a ride on a snow tube, toss real snow balls, and Dec. 26 through Dec. 30, fireworks can be viewed over Miniland USA. There will also be a family photo opportunity with a life-sized Lego Brick Santa and Reindeer. FREE ticket to return when you visit between Nov. 11 and Jan. 4.

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration, Nov. 15 - Jan. 4
Snow World at SeaWorld's Arctic Plaza boasts 6,500 sq ft. of fresh snow every day, real sledding, Santa's Cottage, SeaWorld's Christmas Tree of Lights, Breakfast with Shamu and Santa (starting at $26, on sale now), Reindeer Training Academy and Christmas Village.

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol Live, Nov. 28 - Dec. 28
Cygnet Theatre invites families to start a new tradition at the annual adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The fully staged production boasts original new music, creative stagecraft and puppetry and live sound effects, their website says. Running time is two hours. Tickets on sale now.

Balboa Nights, Friday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. - 11 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
New this year: "December Flights" zip-line. Ride the 200-foot zip-line past the lit Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Museums will also feature free admission from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. both nights.

Images: What to Expect at December Nights 2014

Encinitas Garden of Lights, Dec. 6-23 and Dec. 26-30, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Gather the family, bundle up the children and get ready for a white Christmas at the Garden of Lights in Encinitas. Throughout December, the San Diego Botanic Garden is beautifully decorated with more than 100,000 twinkling lights. Family activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, mulled wine, roasted marshmallows and snow! Adults $14; children (ages 3-12) $6; seniors, military, students $10.

Sport Chalet Scuba Santa Event and Toy Drive, Saturday, Dec. 6, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Presented by the Dive Club of San Diego, dive with Santa for a free underwater photo! "Bring a towel, swimsuit and a smile!" Divers must be at least 10-years-old, but children under 10 can snorkel alongside Santa and a crew member. Proceeds benefit St. Vincent de Paul. Sport Chalet's PADI Five-star dive center, Point Loma Plaza, 3695 Midway Dr., San Diego, 92110.

San Diego Women's Chorus Winter Concert, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, 4 p.m.
SDWC presents a multicultural program of traditional choral pieces and contemporary selections such as Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas is You' and Ben Harper's 'My Own Two Hands." International pieces include songs from Nigeria, England and Puerto Rico. Sunday performance is ASL-interpreted for the hearing-impaired. Tickets on sale now. St. Andrew's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 1050 Thomas Ave., San Diego 92109

2014 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, Saturday, Dec. 13
Grab your jingle bells and holiday costumes and join the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis at Balboa Park (5K.) Funds are being raised to help find a cure for arthritis, the nation's leading cause of disability. Event also includes a Children's Dash with the Elves (1K.) Contact: Nancy Coate, 858-492-1090

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, Sunday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 5:30 p.m.
Best viewing from the water where the parade turns west for Coronado, near the 10th Street Terminal. Best viewing from land is at the north and south ends of the Embarcadero and the park behind Seaport Village.

Every year, Surfin’ Santa makes a dramatic entrance to Seaport Village along the San Diego Bay. Last year, the man in red arrived via jetpack. This year, Santa got his sea legs aboard a Harbor Police patrol boat. Watch above.

Gaslamp Pet Parade, Sunday, Dec. 14, Registration starts at 12 p.m.
The 7th Annual Gaslamp Pet Parade in Downtown San Diego's Gaslamp District will feature a Pet Expo, costume contest, pet parade and awards ceremony. Awards will include Best of Show, Best Pet Costume, Best Non-Canine Pet Costume, Best Costume Duo, Best Costumed Group (3 or more), Best Pet Holiday Costume, Cutest Critter, Ugliest Holiday Sweater and Best Costume Made Out of Duct Tape. 104 K St., San Diego 92101. $15 pre-registration, $20 day-of.

San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, Tuesday, Dec. 23, Kickoff at 6:30 p.m.
10th annual Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. $1 from every ticket sold benefits Make-a-Wish San Diego. Tickets on sale now. $45-$150. Family and VIP packages available.

National University Holiday Bowl, Saturday, Dec. 27, Kickoff at 5 p.m.
37th annual National University Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Tickets on sale now. $65-$140. VIP packages available.

San Diego Holiday Half Marathon, Sunday, Dec. 28, 7:30 a.m.
Second annual San Diego Holiday Half Marathon. The 13.1 mile course is located in Rancho Peñasquitos along Carmel Mountain Road and the 56 bike path. As of Dec. 1, only 380 registration spots are available. Registration cost is $109 per runner until sold out. A $10-off promo code is available online.

Contact Us