San Diego Holiday Event Guide

Editor’s Note:
We will be updating this article as more event information becomes available.  If we have omitted certain events,  please feel free to add a comment and post the who, what, when, and where of special holiday events. Thank you!

San Diego is the second largest city in California. San Diego celebrates the holidays in many different ways all around the region. In most cases, each kind of celebration emphasizes the unique character of a neighborhood, an attraction, a recreational activity, and various cultural traditions. In other words, there is something for everyone and, most importantly, the public is welcome and invited.

In a chestnut, there are plenty of holiday events in San Diego that help create the magic of the season. Make plans now to include some of these special San Diego holiday events and activities in your social calendar.

San Diego Attractions Celebrate the Holidays

Holiday of Lights at Del Mar - Get yourself in a festive mood from November 26, 2009 through January 1, 2010 at the 2009 Holiday of Lights at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Holiday of Lights at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is a spectacular drive-through light show and exhibit with more than 400 displays. The Christmas displays are organized into themes, which include: Candy Cane Lane, Toyland, San Diego County Fair, Treasures by the Lake, Del Mar Racetrack, the Twelve Days of Christmas and Elves at Play.

Visitors view the lighted and animated holiday creations from the comfort of their vehicles as they drive along a 1.5-mile route through the Fairgrounds, while enjoying festive holiday music. It takes most visitors 15-20 minutes to complete one trip around the route and to view all of the displays.

New this year to the Holiday of Lights is the Holiday Hayride. On select Friday nights, visitors can enjoy a tour of the Holiday of Lights using real horsepower.

Dates & Times of Operation:

Nightly from Thanksgiving (November 26, 2009), through Sunday, January 3, 2010, including December 24, 25, 31 and January 1, 2009.

Sundays-Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The Holiday Hayrides will take place on the following Fridays: November 27, and December 4, 11, and 18, 2009 every half hour, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Inclement Weather Hotline: (858) 793-5555.

2009 Admission Prices & Discounts

General Admission: $14 per vehicle, up to 5 people/ $19 per vehicle, 6 or more people/ $49 per bus

Holiday Hayride - Additional $10 per person (includes ride, hot chocolate or hot cider, and a holiday cookie)

Discounts: Discount tickets can be purchased in advance at Albertsons|Sav-on for $12.

Military discount: Military discount tickets are sold only at base ticket offices, not at the Holiday of Lights’ entrance. Please contact the base ticket office near you.

Please Note: Because of safety concerns, motorcycles and other two-wheeled vehicles are not permitted to tour Holiday of Lights.

SeaWorld Holiday Events 2009 - This popular San Diego attraction does its part to light up the skies of San Diego by lighting up their Sky Tower for the holiday season. Sea World’s elves also transform the popular park into one big nighttime wonderland. This year, Sea World gets into the spirit of Christmas by offering its guests a new seasonal movie at the park’s 4-D Theater, two special live marine shows, “Shamu’s Holiday Nights”and “Clyde and Seamore’s Night Before Christmas,” appearances by Santa Claus himself, a new ice skating rink (with real ice), and the nightly lighting of SeaWorld’s 320-foot Holiday Tree of Lights. Best of all, SeaWorld’s Holiday Celebration is included in the park admission. Please note that there is an extra charge for renting the ice skates.

2009 Dates & Times

Open on the weekends of November 27-29 and December 5-13, 2009.
Open daily from December 19-31, 2009.

The times of operation fluctuate according to the day of the week. For the most current information on park hours, please click here.

San Diego Zoo Holiday Events - For the first time, the San Diego Zoo will be hosting the San Diego Zoological Society’s annual salute to Christmas and the holidays. This celebration of light used to be held at the San Diego Wild Animal Park but is now coming solely to the Zoo in San Diego’s Balboa Park. The new holiday attraction is appropriately called Jungle Bells. There is no extra charge for this seasonal lighting event.

Dates & Times

December 11-23 and 26-30, 2009; January 1 and 2, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

San Diego Botanic Garden of Lights 2009 - Formerly called the Quail Botanical Gardens, the San Diego Botanic Gardens will be hosting their annual botanical lighting event from December 10 - 23 and December 26 - 30, 2009 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. At sunset, Encinitas’ beautiful Botanical Gardens are transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland with over 90,000 sparkling lights illuminating the creative garden displays.

In addition to walking around the gardens and being awed by the light displays, other activities will include horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, live music, hot mulled wine, and refreshments.  The people at the San Diego Botanic Gardens have made a concerted effort to utilize LED lights in their holiday displays, which are much brighter and more energy efficient than regular lights. Adding to the sparkle is the “Poinsettia Garden,” a special area festively decorated with many varieties of poinsettias.

Admission & Prices

Members, Seniors, Military & Students - $8
Non-members - $12
Children 3-12 - $4

Balboa Park’s December Nights 2009 - This is such a big event that we wrote an article for it. Read it here.

Balboa Park Poinsettia Display Starts December 4, 2009 - Leave it to the good people at Balboa Park to continue their annual tradition of displaying more than 500 magnificent poinsettia plants that help turn Balboa Park’s historic wood-lathe Botanical Building into a glowing tribute to the holidays. These beautiful plants of Christmas are unveiled to the public on  December 4, 2009. The FREE exhibit continues through January 6, 2010. The Botanical Building is open Friday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that the Botanical Building is closed Thursdays and holidays.

San Diego Holiday Parades

52nd Annual Encinitas Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2009 -  Since 1957, the charming seaside City of Encinitas has hosted this very popular parade. This year’s Parade theme is “Season’s GreeNings,” celebrating all things environmental in Encinitas. The parade begins with a tree lighting ceremony in the Lumberyard Courtyard at 5 p.m. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. and heads south along Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street. Encinitas’ trademark is the poinsettia because the Ecke Family’s farms are located in the city. The Ecke Family is famous for bringing the poinsettia into widespread commercial use during the holidays.

30th Annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2009 - The lively beachside community of Ocean Beach invites you to attend their very special “A Peaceful OB Christmas Parade.” The Parade will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009 starting at 5:05 p.m. It’s OB, people, they do things differently.

North Park Toyland Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2009 - This annual parade through one of San Diego’s older neighborhoods, North Park, will take start off the holiday celebrations at 11 a.m.  Sponsored by the North Park Main Street Association, the parade will take place along its usual route on University Avenue starting at Utah Street and ending at Iowa Street. This is a great event for the whole family to enjoy because there will be marching bands, car clubs, beauty queens, dancing troupes, dog clubs, and many more interesting parade entrants that call this up and coming area, home.

Chula Vista Starlight Parade, Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Even if you don’t live in Chula Vista, you are still invited to help this South Bay city celebrate the start of the holiday season at the 47th Annual Chula Vista Starlight Parade. Mayor Cheryl Cox will kick off the festivities with the official lighting of the holiday tree at 5 p.m. At 6 p.m., the Starlite Parade will begin its way along Chula Vista’s Third Avenue. Like any good holiday parade, Chula Vista’s features local marching bands, carolers, and festive floats.  The festivities will take place along Third Avenue from E to H Streets. For more information, please contact the Third Avenue Village Association at (619) 422-1982.

52nd Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 6, 2009 - On Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 2 p.m., the streets of La Jolla will be basically shut down so that the La Jolla Christmas Parade can strut its stuff. The annual parade is really a locals’ kind of event but all are welcome - you just have to be able to get here. This is a real parade complete with marching bands, ROTC units, drill teams, dancers, scout troops, equestrians, car aficionados, elected officials, and the usual parade entries. There will be a Post Parade Holiday Festival at the La Jolla Recreation Center starting at 3:30 p.m. A special tree lighting will follow at 5 p.m. at the Rec Center.

Please note: The big Parade and the festival following the parade will basically paralyze La Jolla (specifically Silverado Street) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade on Sunday, December 13, 2009 - The 2^nd Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade is an event that invites canines to strut their stuff in a holiday parade. Human participants will be invited to dress up with their pet in their favorite costumes for a special promenade throughout the Gaslamp Quarter to celebrate the season. The fun begins at 3 p.m. and goes until 6 p.m. Even if you don’t have a dog in the parade, you might want to attend just to snap a few photos and capture the merriment.

The Parade originates and concludes at the Hilton Park adjacent to the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter at 4th Avenue and K Street.  After the parade, participants will be able to explore the Pet Expo and take pictures with their pets. There will also be an awards ceremony, as well as “after parties” at pet-friendly venues in the Gaslamp Quarter.

San Diego Christmas Tree Lightings

The Port of San Diego’s Green Holiday Tree Lighting on November 28, 2009 - The public is invited to attend Seaport Village and the Port of San Diego’s inaugural green tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. This event will feature a locally-grown tree that will to be chipped into mulch after the holidays are over. The local tree will also feature colorful and energy-efficient LED holiday lights provided by SDG&E, as well as ornaments made from recycled materials. And thanks to the good folks at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, children can make their own recycled ornaments for the tree that afternoon and watch them light up after the sun goes down. How cool is that?

The Hotel Del Coronado Holiday Festival Starts December 2, 2009 - Did you know that the Hotel del Coronado (1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado) featured the first electronically lighted Christmas tree on the West Coast? You and your family are cordially invited to help celebrate this landmark hotel’s 121st anniversary. Go to the Hotel Del on December 2, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and help kick off the festival. Many San Diegans pay a holiday visit to the Del each year to admire the beautiful Christmas tree adorned with vintage decorations as well as the incredible display of 100,000 holiday lights.

10th Annual Little Italy Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Come to Little Italy on Saturday, December 5, 2009 for their festive Tree Lighting. Enjoy a Buon Natale Italian evening and festivities at the 10th Annual Little Italy Holiday Tree Lighting. This is always a fun event for people of all ages and all backgrounds. The tree will be located on Date Street between India St & Columbia St. The festivities go from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guests are encouraged to stick around, have some dinner, some vino, some espresso and then maybe a dolce or due!

Solana Beach Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 6, 2009 - The North County beachside city of Solana Beach welcomes you to join them on Sunday, December 6, 2009 for their annual holiday tree lighting. The event will be held at Fletcher Cove Park at p.m. This tree lighting includes a special appearance by none other than good ol’ Saint Nick who will arrive at 5:20 p.m. This tree lighting ceremony includes cookies and carols so please be ready to munch and sing along!

Poway’s “Christmas in the Park” on Saturday, December 12, 2009 - The public is invited to attend Poway’s very special holiday celebration at the picturesque Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2009. A special steam train will bring Santa Claus and his Mrs. Claus to Old Poway Park which should make for great photo opportunities and family memories. A Christmas tree lighting will occur at 5:20 p.m., followed by the arrival of the “you know who.” Naturally, food, entertainment and crafts will be offered throughout the duration of the event.

San Diego Holiday Boat Parades

Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights on December 12, 2009 - If you live in the North County and want to see holiday lights but don’t want to make the trek to Mission Bay or San Diego Bay, consider going to Oceanside’s inner harbor for the Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 12, 2009. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. Go to 1950 Harbor Drive North, Oceanside. For more information, call (760) 722-5751 or (760) 722-5751.

Mission Bay Christmas Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 12, 2009 - Everyone thinks that San Diego Bay’s Boat Parade is the only game in town. Not so! On Saturday, December 12, 2009, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., more than 100 decorated and illuminated power and sail boats will circle around a 5-mile route around Mission Bay. There are a number of people who live on the side of the bay who also happen to decorate their homes as well. It seems that everyone in this area gets into the Christmas spirit!  The parade begins at the Quivira Basin. Word has it that the best viewing is from Crown Point, the east side of Vacation Island or the west side of Fiesta Island.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights on December 13th and 20th, 2009 - The public is invited to view the beautiful boat parade of lights on San Diego Bay on Sunday, December 13, 2009 and Sunday, December 20, 2009. The parade begins at approximately 5:30 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. If you plan on viewing the parade from Harbor Island, get there early and be aware that parking is at a premium for these Christmas activities. Another good spot is the park behind Seaport Village. The parade takes approximately one hour to one and a half hours to pass any given point along the parade route.

The approximate arrival time of the parade at various locations are:

Shelter Island (start of parade) - 5:30 p.m.
Harbor Island - 6 p.m.
The Embarcadero - 6:30 p.m.
Seaport Village - 7 p.m.
Ferry Landing on Coronado - 7:30 p.m.

Regional Toy Drive

San Diego Holiday Toys for Tots Toy Drive - Help support the United States Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program by dropping off new, unwrapped toys at the designated drop-off locations listed below in order to help less fortunate children experience the joy of the holidays.

Feel free to visit one or all of the following locations to drop off your new, unwrapped toys:

Charger Game Collection - Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 1 p.m.
NBC Toy Drive - Thursday, December 10, 2009 & Friday, December 11, 2009 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Go to 225 Broadway in front of the NBC Studios, on Broadway Circle.

Hanukkah

Join the Jewish community in celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights that lasts for eight (8) days. This year, Hanukkah officially begins the night of December 11, 2009 and ends on December 18, 2009. Several communities will be having celebrations around the county. No matter how you spell it, if you would like to celebrate Hanukkah at home and would like to know when and how to light the candles, please check with Chabad’s nifty Menorah Wizard.

Rancho Bernardo’s 4th Annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony - The public is invited to attend Rancho Bernardo’s special celebration on December 1, 2009 starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held at the former San Diego National Bank, 16789 Bernardo Center Drive.

26th Annual Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center Hanukkah Happening on December 6, 2009 - The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center welcomes the public to its annual Hanukkah Happening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2009.  This festival includes carnival games, kosher and dairy food (latkes, anyone?), crafts, a raffle with prizes, an auction, and youth activities. The Lawrence Family JCC is located in the University Town Center Area at 4126 Executive Drive. For more information, please call: (858) 457-3030.

Oceanside Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting on Sunday, December 13, 2009 - The Chabad Jewish Center of Oceanside is hosting a special celebration in this coastal North County City. The event will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. It will held at the lovely Civic Center Plaza on North Coast Higway.  This event will feature welcoming words and a menorah lighting.

Chabad Menorah and Public Menorah Lighting on Monday, December 14, 2009 - Chabad will be having their annual menorah lighting at 6 p.m. at 1227 Prospect Street in the village of La Jolla. All are welcome.

Chabad Downtown Chanukah Event - This event will take place on December 17, 2009 at around 5 p.m. at Horton Plaza.

Julie Gelfat is the co-editor of the Visitors Guide for SDNN and the co-owner of San Diego Travel Tips.com, a local’s guide to San Diego. Email Julie at: sdtips (at) sandiegotraveltips.com

Tags: Holidays in San Diego, San Diego Christmas Events, San Diego Christmas Tree Lightings, San Diego Holiday Boat Parades, San Diego Holiday Events, San Diego Holiday Parades, SDNN

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