The holiday bug finally bit but you think you’re too late? Not so. There are a number of things happening around San Diego for those who want to squeeze in some last-second Christmas cheer.
Holiday of Lights in Del Mar
Get in the car tonight and head to the 1.5 mile course featuring more than 400 lighted, animated displays. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs until to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. You’ve got time. The event lasts until Jan. 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Admission: $14, cars with up to five people; $19, cars with six or more; $49, buses.
Skating by the Sea in Coronado
Now through Jan. 3, visit the only Southern California beachside hotel with its own ice-skating rink. The Hotel del Coronado, decorated for the season with 100,000 white lights, offers a two-hour skating matinee session daily at 11 a.m. and three-hour sessions at 2 and 6 p.m. Skating runs $20 for adults and $15 for children; matinee session is $15 for adults, $10 for children. Skate rental is $5.
Festival of Christmas
Lamb's Players Theatre Festival of Christmas is one of San Diego's most beloved holiday traditions and one of the most unique holiday productions in the nation. Lamb’s Players various Festivals have been set in widely divergent locales and time periods, from the Renaissance right up to the present day. This year's Festival is a world premiere, set in a recording studio in the 1970s. Filled with the music of the season, Festival of Christmas will be enjoyed by the entire family.
Garden of Lights
After the sun goes down, the Garden is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with over 100,000 sparkling lights creating a magical holiday experience. Activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, live music, hot mulled wine in the Poinsettia Garden, and refreshments. Admission: Members, Seniors, Military & Students $8; Non-members $12. Children 3–12 $4. There will be additional fees for some activities.
Jungle Bells
The San Diego Zoo is hanging lights, wreaths and bells in anticipation of the debut of Jungle Bells. The newest event for the Zoo welcomes guests with the sights and sounds of the holidays including flurries of snow, twinkling lights and the sounds of melodious bells chiming familiar songs of the season. The festivities continue Dec. 12-23, 26-30 and Jan. 1 and 2. The Zoo opens at 9 a.m. every day of the year and during the Jungle Bells event grounds will stay open until 8 p.m.
