Holiday
FUN
DECEMBER 2015
Fifteen Steps to Holiday Fun in San Diego!
1. Take a short drive to see the lighting of the tree at the end of Crystal Pier. Santa will be there, too, for
pictures, on Saturday, December 5, 2:30 – 5:30.
2. Spread some holiday cheer at the La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival on December 6 in
the quaint village of La Jolla. The theme for this year's parade is "Spirit of Christmas - Peace on Earth."
Tree lighting, marching bands, floats, equestrian units, vintage automobiles and an appearance by Santa
Claus.
3. SeaWorld’s watery wonderland happens throughout the holiday season, you can enjoy amazing live
shows, meet Christmas characters and bask in the glow of Southern California's tallest Christmas tree.
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration is where holiday memories are made.
4. San Diego offers not one, but TWO Boat Parades of Light! Watch brightly illuminated boats sail along
the twinkling waters of Mission Bay, and San Diego Bay over two weekends in December. Great views are
available on dry land from Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Crown Point, and
Dana Landing. Fireworks out over the water after the parade on San Diego Bay.
5. The popular annual December Nights Festival in Balboa Park is Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5,
a two-day celebration of holiday foods, entertainment and fun. The sights, sounds and smells of the holiday
season fill the air as the museums in Balboa Park open their doors free of charge from 5 – 9pm both
evenings. Festivities include carolers, live music, light displays, theater and dance performances, and
delicious foods from around the world. Be sure not to miss the "Whoville" decorations in the plaza outside
the Old Globe Theatre, which are on display mid-November through December to coincide with the
theatre's annual holiday production of Dr. Seuss' How the Ginch Stole Christmas!
6. Ice skating in San Diego? Of course! Glide along the Fantasy on Ice rink at Liberty Station, in our local
neighborhood of Point Loma. Benefits help the Rady Children’s Hospital.
7. Legoland celebrates each day in December with their Holiday Snow Days! Build a snowman with
LEGO® accessories and throw real snowballs at colorful targets. Ride snow tubes down a hill. Experience
the magic of Winter Nights with shows, music, and twinkling lights. There's even a food truck with yummy
treats served by Santa's Elves. Stay for the nightly fireworks over Miniland USA, December 26-30.
8. Head down to Seaport Village for the festive waterfront Surfin' Santa Arrival on November 28. Hangten with boardshort-wearing Santa and enjoy a parade along the Seaport Village boardwalk, live music, stilt
walkers, kid's crafts and photo opps of your family and friends surfing with Santa.
9. Hear real, live Jungle Bells – at the San Diego Zoo from December 12 - January 3. During Jungle
Bells, the San Diego Zoo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Guests enjoy lighted animal
sculptures, live animal presentations, festive music, holiday treats, storytelling, and, of course, Santa Claus.
10. The Park is alive…with the sound of music! Free organ concerts at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in
Balboa Park beginning at 2:00 PM each Sunday. The Organ Pavilion features the world's largest outdoor
pipe organ, a San Diego landmark for over 90 years, where organists play holiday favorites, waltzes and
show tunes from the organ's monstrous 32-foot lead alloy pipes.
11. Whale watch from the shores and cliffs of Point Loma, as California gray whales migrate south to the
warm-water breeding grounds off the coast of Baja, California. Spectators can catch a spectacular show
during December through March when these majestic mammals pass through the waters off San Diego's
coastline.
12. Holiday in the Park is a two-day celebration of the holidays in San Diego’s Old Town Historic Park, on
December 12 and 13. Museums, historic homes, stores and restaurants will be open late and decorated in
period holiday adornment (admission fees still apply to some locations). Enjoy songs and entertainment
throughout Old Town from 6:00 to 9:00 PM both days. Enjoy special holiday treats, strolling carolers and do
some holiday shopping at the same time. Las Posadas reenactment on Sunday, a centuries-old tradition of
the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph through the town of Bethlehem. The event begins at 2:30 PM with
carolers and children's choirs in the state park, with the live theatrical procession starting promptly at 5:00
PM. A piñata party for all the children follows the parade.
13. An easy walk down to Garnet Avenue, will give you a great place to watch the Pacific Beach Holiday
Parade on December 12 at 1:00pm. Following the Santa Mile Run, see vintage cars, decorated floats, and
local marching bands celebrate PB style.
14. Julian kicks off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the town’s huge living Christmas tree.
Hundreds of visitors will gather at Pioneer Park to watch the lighting and visit with Santa. Throughout
December, indulge in Victorian Christmas teas, sing Christmas carols with costumed holiday carolers, watch
the annual Living Nativity tableau, and cuddle under a blanket while riding down Main Street in a carriage.
You might even see some snow drifts on the way up!
15. College football at Qualcomm Stadium – The Poinsettia Bowl happens on December 23, and the
Holiday Bowl will be on December 30. See the leading college and military teams battle it out with the
football. Both popular bowl games will air nationally on ESPN.