15 of the Best Things To Do in San Diego During the Holiday Season

15 fun and family-friendly things to do in San Diego, California during the Christmas holiday season.

Travel over the Christmas holidays has been a tradition for our family since my husband and I first decided many years ago that giving an experience gift such as Christmas travel was far better than buying excessive stuff for each other. One of our favourite holiday trips was to San Diego, California, an action-packed, family-friendly destination that is fun any time of the year but particularly so during the Christmas holiday season.

Whether you are visiting during the pre-Christmas period between U.S. Thanksgiving and Christmas or between Christmas and New Year’s, your family is sure to enjoy all of the festive events and activities taking place in San Diego. 

Last updated December 2023

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Here are 15 things to do in San Diego if you’re visiting during the Christmas holiday season.

1. Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado

We stayed at the Hotel del Coronado and one of our best memories was heading out to play on the beach the day we arrived and discovering an ice skating rink at the rear of the hotel. It’s hard to even imagine ice skating with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and a backdrop of a grand Victorian-style hotel decked out in twinkling white lights but it has been a holiday season tradition for nearly 20 years at The Del.

There’s a fee for Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado (which includes skate rental) but you don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to participate so if you’re visiting San Diego when the rink is open then head over to Coronado Island to skate on the beach or just enjoy a hot chocolate and the festive atmosphere. November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024

1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado. Tickets include ice skate rental and up to 90 minutes of skating. All tickets must be purchased online or by phone. General admission – $40 USD.

2. Take an Old Town Trolley Tour

The Old Town Trolley Tour is a fun and convenient way to see San Diego any time of the year. We loved the convenience of the hop-on hop-off trolley that transported us from Coronado Island around the city of San Diego so that we were able to see the sights efficiently and without worrying about parking.

During the Christmas season, however, Old Town Trolley also offers a Holiday Sights and Festive Nights tour which takes guests to see the festive Christmas lights of Old Town San Diego, Little Italy, Banker’s Hill, Garrison Street and more while enjoying sing-along caroling with the Elf conductor who also shares fun holiday facts, history and traditions.

In 2023, these festive 90 minute tours run from December 1-23, and December 26-30 (no tours on December 24th or 25th).

Reservations are required and can be made online. Prices from $25 USD. Children age 3 and under are free.

3. Experience Winter Wonder at Belmont Park

During the holiday season at Belmont Park, visitors can enjoy the classic rides and attractions from giant roller coasters to charming carousel as well as festive activities, family-friendly entertainment and holiday treats. The park is particularly magical after the sun goes down when a million lights create a festive atmosphere each evening during Winter Wonder. November 11- December 31, 2023.

There will also be a Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up for the first time during the 2023 holiday season – Miracle at Draft will feature exclusive original cocktails, over-the-top decorations, and exciting new collectable mugs. November 20th through December 31st.

3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego

4. Enjoy the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

We arrived in San Diego and stayed through New Year’s so we missed seeing the Parade of Lights but if you happen to be visiting at the right time during the pre-Christmas period then it’s a must.

During the Parade of Lights, approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats sail by Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the pier at Cesar Chavez Park and the Ferry Landing in Coronado.

This is the 53rd year of the parade which takes place on two consecutive Sundays in December and the theme this year is Christmas Traditions Around the World. December 10 and December 17, 2023

The procession starts at 5:30 pm at Shelter Island and follows the predetermined parade route. The parade takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to pass any given point along the route. Public transit is recommended as parking is limited with approximately 100,000 spectators attending the parade.

5. Visit the San Diego Botanic Garden for Lightscape

Anyone who loves Christmas lights will definitely want to visit the San Diego Botanic Garden during the holiday season to experience Lightscape. This unique immersive experience includes over one million twinkling lights and installations that merge nature and art along a 1 mile walking loop through the gardens. If you’re planning to attend Lightscape then be sure to purchase your tickets in advance as most nights sold out in 2022! November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2024

300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Paid parking. Regular Adult Admission is $26; Child (3-12) is $15. There is also Peak and Off-Peak pricing.

6. Visit the San Diego Zoo for Jungle Bells

Care to guess what attraction we were most looking forward to prior to our trip to San Diego? Of course, it was the world-famous San Diego Zoo – and we were not disappointed!

Seeing giant pandas for the first time was a treat but we discovered that there is also a special event that takes place at the zoo during the holiday season which ups the fun quotient.

Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo is a seasonal celebration that transforms the zoo into a wild wonderland of twinkling lights and includes a schedule packed with entertainment, animal experiences, friendly Zoo characters dressed in their holiday finest and special activities including pre-Christmas visits with Santa Claus and the Aurora end of evening spectacular. December 9, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (except December 24th)

2920 Zoo Drive. Jungle Bells is included with all admission tickets.

7. Get a Photo with Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village

If you’re visiting San Diego on Thanksgiving weekend then you won’t want to miss the opportunity to have a photo taken with Surfin’ Santa in his boardshorts and favourite Hawaiian shirt at Seaport Village. In his annual holiday homecoming, Surfin’ Santa cruises in from the San Diego bay and leads a festive parade to the fountain courtyard where he poses with visitors on his giant surfboard riding a six foot wave. Saturday November 25, 2023 from 1 – 5 pm.

During the first three weekends of December there will also be traditional photos with Santa or Buddy the Elf at Santa’s Workshop in the Village (located behind Geppetto’s Toys) and throughout the holiday season, visitors can enjoy the shopping, entertainment and dining that Seaport Village is known for. Don’t miss taking a ride on the historic hand-carved carousel that was built in 1895 – it’s perfect for adults and kids and costs only $4 a ride!

849 West Harbor Drive. Open daily 10 am – 9 pm.

8. Enjoy December Nights at Balboa Park

Balboa Park December Nights is another special event that you shouldn’t miss if you happen to be visiting San Diego on one of the two nights in early December when it takes place. December Nights is an annual free holiday festival that kicks off the holiday season in San Diego with light displays, a tree lighting, photos with Santa, music and dancers, delicious food, shopping, family fun and more. December 1 and 2, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Visiting Balboa Park is still a must even if your time in San Diego doesn’t coincide with December Nights. The park is described as the place “where nature and culture meet” and includes lush landscaped gardens, 17 diverse museums, cultural institutions such as The Old Globe theatre, and the San Diego Zoo.

We had a great time exploring Balboa Park even though it was raining the day of our visit and spent time at both the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Fleet Science Center.

For an extended visit to San Diego, you can purchase a Balboa Park Explorer Multi-Day Pass and really do justice to the park. There are three options available: Annual Pass (valid 365 days a year); Parkwide Pass (valid for 7 consecutive days and includes admission to 16 participating museums); or the Limited Pass (valid for 1 day and 4 museums). The San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Comic-con Museum and performing arts venues in Balboa Park are not included in passes. Some museums have limited days of operation. Passes can be purchased online.

The Balboa Park Cultural District is located just north of downtown San Diego. Free parking lots and tram service. Also accessible by public transit.

9. Attend a Performance of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas

One of my favourite things to do during the holidays is go to the theatre – especially if there’s a seasonal show being performed. If you feel the same way then you will be thrilled to learn that a holiday season visit to San Diego can include a family-friendly musical at The Old Globe.

The historic theatre, built in 1935 and modeled after Shakespeare’s Old Globe in London, England, produces 15 shows each year including the annual family musical Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! For the past 25 years, The Old Globe has transformed into a snow-covered Whoville to perform this whimsical musical – a holiday favourite that’s perfect for all ages. November 8 – December 31, 2023

The Old Globe is located in Balboa Park. Running time is 1 hour and 25 minutes. There is no intermission. Recommended for ages 3+.

10. Or a Performance of Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show

You can see a performance of Dickens’ Christmas Carol almost anywhere during the holiday season but only in San Diego can you attend a performance of Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show! The Old Globe presents this funny reimagining of the classic Christmas tale in a Dickens mash-up filmed with music and laughter set in “wintery” San Diego that delights audiences young and old. November 17 – December 24, 2023

Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Balboa Park. Running time is 1 hour 15 minutes. No intermission. Ages 5+. Children under 5 are not permitted.

11. Seaworld Christmas Celebration

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration is a special event that takes place each year starting mid-November and continuing through the holiday season when the park is transformed into a wintery, watery wonderland.

Event activities are included with the price of admission and include special holiday performances, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Parade, Santa’s Christmas Village, Rudolph’s Christmastown, live reindeer, light shows, the Christmas Shoppe, a dazzling 30 foot Christmas tree covered with festive lights, snowfall throughout the park, festive food and drinks, a Christmas Wish Fireworks Show and more! November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024

500 Sea World Drive.

12. Holidays at LEGOLAND California

The holiday season is the jolliest time of the year at LEGOLAND California with festive decor, seasonal shows, holiday character meet and greets with Santa, the Toy Soldier and Gingerbread Man, special holiday food treats and more. November 18, 2023 – January 7, 2024

There’s also a family-friendly Kids’ New Year’s Eve celebration in the park which allows kids to celebrate the New Year without missing their bedtimes. At LEGOLAND, “midnight” comes early with live music and a New Year’s Eve countdown followed by fireworks – a great way for families with young children to celebrate the arrival of a new year.

One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, California

13. Visit the USS Midway Museum for Jingle Jets

Another holiday experience unique to San Diego is Jingle Jets at the USS Midway Museum which is taking place for the first time during the 2023 holiday season. The museum will transform the mighty warship into a winter wonderland by decking it out from bow to stern with hundreds of thousands of twinkling and shimmering lights to celebrate this year’s holidays. Select nights November 24 – December 23, 2023.

910 North Harbor Drive alongside Navy Pier. Select nights in November and December 5:30 – 9:30 pm. $25 Adult Admission; $18 Youth (ages 6-12); Children under 6 are free.

14. Play on the Beach

Californians might think the temperatures are a bit cool for playing on the beach in December but those of us from colder climates have a different definition of beach weather!

My kids weren’t going to pass up an opportunity to frolic on Coronado Beach even if the temperature was about 17 degrees Celsius (62 Fahrenheit) on the late-December day we arrived in San Diego. It was too cold to swim but it was fun to be able to say that we played in the ocean while other guests were walking by bundled up for winter in hats and gloves!

15. Take a Road Trip to Disneyland

It’s a bit of a drive to Anaheim from San Diego (it takes approximately 2 hours), but you (or your kids) might not be able to resist the siren call of Disneyland while vacationing in Southern California.

We drove from San Diego to Disneyland early on the morning of New Year’s Day the year we visited and had a fabulous time. It was our first time visiting a Disney park during the holiday season and seeing it all dressed up for Christmas was magical.

The Visit San Diego website is an excellent resource for planning your family trip to San Diego.