The Ultimate Guide to the Holidays in San Diego

0

Our Ultimate Guide to the Holidays in San Diego has you covered this holiday season!

From family-friendly Holiday Events, where to see the best Christmas Lights with thanks to San Diego Family Magazine, Santa Photos and so much more! And don’t forget about our Holiday Gift Guide!

Tag us in your instagram pics this holiday season. #SDMoms

Use the buttons below to navigate to that section of the guide.

Ultimate Guide to the Holidays Presenting Sponsor

Showing 1 - 1 of 1
omas-pumpkin-patch-san-diego-ca-

Tis' the Season to Give Back!

holiday gift drive

Holiday Gift Drive Benefiting Voices for Children Hosted by Learning for All 

Learning for All provides educational therapy in a 1:1 setting for children to adults with various learning challenges. They specialize in working with learners with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, ADHD, Auditory Processing, and Executive Functioning difficulties. 

They are collecting items this holiday season to donate to Voices for Children. VFC supports kids (birth until they age out at 18 or 22) in the foster system and provides them with volunteer court-appointed advocates (CASA). Learning for All will match all cash or gift card donations 100% up to $5,000. Let’s give back to a wonderful cause this holiday season! 

Questions? Please get in touch with Assistant Director Gizelle Navarro – at gizelle@learningforallsd.com. For questions regarding our programs and how we support learners, please complete a contact form on their website: www.learningforallsd.com.

 Learning for All has put together a holiday gift guide based on our favorite games and books on Pinterest.

Featured Holiday Festivals (Multi-Day Experiences)

Showing 1 - 5 of 5

Holiday Festivals (Multi-Day Experiences)

Showing 1 - 20 of 31

Christmas Trees

Showing 1 - 5 of 5
Start Date:
End Date:
N/A
Start Date:
End Date:
As the fall season approaches, the farm transforms into a vibrant fall scene. Oma’s Pumpkin Patch features a charming array of attractions, including a whimsical haymaze, a petting zoo for all ages, and a hayride that offers scenic views of the farm’s picturesque landscape. Children delight in interactive games and activites, while adults can sample delicious pumpkin-themed treats and fall flavored products. For the Van Ommering family, this new chapter in the farm’s history is more t […]
Start Date:
End Date:
San Diego's largest nighttime Halloween event offers the only full night of fear. Featuring haunts, thrills, shows, coasters, speakeasies, food, and more! Howl-O-Scream San Diego – The Fear Reawakens More SCARES per square foot than ever before! Howl-O-Scream arrives on September 27 to transform the once peaceful SeaWorld San Diego into a sinister, spine-chilling playground of terror. As night falls, a carnival of horrifying creatures surrounds you. Evade FIVE angry haunts thr […]
Family Christmas Tree Farm
Start Date:
End Date:
Pumpkin Patch 2024 ADMISSION $5 PER PERSON KIDS 2 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER FREE SEPTEMBER 27TH - OCTOBER 13TH FRIDAY 2-8PM, SATURDAY/SUNDAY 10AM-8PM. OCTOBER 14TH - OCTOBER 31ST MONDAY-FRIDAY 2-8PM, SATURDAY/SUNDAY 10AM-8PM. Farm admission includes free play in our huge hay maze scavenger hunt, family activity area, farm animal area access, and tractor rides around the farm! U-Cut Pumpkins $1 per pound U-cut sunflowers $2 per stem Cornhole board games for the family F […]
Start Date:
End Date:
The 2024 Pumpkin Patch opens Thursday, September 19, 2024! The pumpkin patch will remain open until Thursday, October 31, 2024.  See below for more details. Bates Store & Pumpkin Patch Hours September: Monday - Sunday 9:00am - 5:00pm October: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm • Saturday & Sunday 8:30am - 6pm Parking Monday - Friday: FREE Saturday & Sunday:$10 per vehicle. Last weekend of September, 9/28 & 9/29. Every weekend in October. (Cash, card, and debit.) Mo […]

Holiday Special Events

Disney’s Moana Live-To-Film Concert

November 14 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Disney Concerts and AMP Worldwide present Disney’s MOANA Live-To-Film Concert North American tour,...

San Diego Made Holiday Market

November 15 @ 10:00 am - November 16 @ 4:00 pm
Don’t miss the San Diego Made Holiday Market at NTC Park inside Liberty Station on Saturday, Novem...

Flow in Concert with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra

November 23 @ 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Prepare to be transported by Flow in Concert, an extraordinary live experience pairing the breathtak...

Meet the Brass: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

December 13 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Featuring a San Diego Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet Feel the holiday spirit in this festive music...

Meet the Brass: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

December 13 @ 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Featuring a San Diego Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet Feel the holiday spirit in this festive music...

Holiday Photos or Photo Experiences

There are no upcoming events.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies

tree lighting

The 19th annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting

Sunday, November 10, 2024
6pm
Globe’s Copley Plaza, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center

The ceremony will kick off the holiday season in conjunction with the presentation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Designed by Grinch scenic designer John Lee Beatty, the unique tree will be located in the center of the Plaza and will remain for the run of the show. This fun family event will feature a special live performance by members of the Grinch cast and a delightful holiday snowfall on the Globe Plaza. Although the event is free, reservations are required.

There will be a standby line that forms at 5:00 p.m., an hour before the Tree Lighting. Based on space availability after all ticket-holders have entered the plaza, standby line patrons may be given access to the Globe’s plaza starting at 6:00 p.m.


Liberty Station Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities

Friday, November 29, 2024
5pm to 9pm
Liberty Station North Promenade, 2880 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101

Liberty Station invites everyone to kick off the most wonderful time of the year at the 2024 Salute the Season celebration! The main event, the Liberty Station Tree Lighting, will take place on Friday, November 29th, from 5 to 9 p.m. Families and friends are welcome to gather and watch as the majestic 88-foot Norfolk pine tree lights up, bringing holiday cheer to all. This magical evening offers fun for the entire family, with live entertainment, festive firetruck rides, and free photos with Santa! Later, guests can cozy up under the stars for a special screening of the holiday classic, The Grinch. Don’t miss this chance to create cherished memories and start a new family tradition at Liberty Station’s Tree Lighting.

Come and celebrate the season at Liberty Station’s 2024 annual Holiday Tree Lighting. Join in on Friday, November 29th, from 5 to 9 p.m., for an evening filled with festive spirit and community joy at the North Promenade and Building 177.


One Paseo Tree Lighting

Saturday, November 30, 2024
6pm – 9pm
One Paseo, 3725 Paseo Place, San Diego, CA 92130

One Paseo will be aglow with firefly lights shimmering in the trees and festive décor throughout the center beginning on Saturday, November 30th. The lighting of the 30-foot tall tree will feature live musical performances, snow cascading from the rooftops, Santa and special guests! Tree lighting ceremony kicks off at 6pm.


La Valencia Hotel Annual Tree Lighting 

Date TBD
La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St La-Jolla, California, 92037

Guests will enjoy holiday beverages, homemade treats, live music, carolers, and children’s crafts while counting down to the tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. For those looking to make the evening even more special, dining reservations are strongly encouraged through OpenTable for seating in Mediterranean Room and the Ocean View Terrace.


Country Christmas Tree Lighting (Julian)

Saturday, November 30, 2024
12pm-8pm
Julian Town Square, Main and Washington Julian, CA

Market will open around noon with holiday gift idea vendors and crafts. Music will begin around 2pm and go on until the tree lights at 5:30(ish)pm. Followed thereafter by Santa Claus arriving to meet and greet the kids. It is a wholesome, fun, family-friendly way to kick off the holiday season.

6 pm
Orange Avenue between Park Place and Isabella Avenue

A beloved tradition that brought our community together in festive cheer. The tree lighting of the magnificent 120-foot Christmas tree adorned with 18,175 twinkling lights at Rotary Plaza.

The parade features over 1,400 enthusiastic participants and thousands of spectators lining the streets. The parade route begins on Orange Avenue and loops at RH Dana and Adella


Holiday Tree Lighting in Carlsbad Village

Sunday, December 8, 2024
2pm-4:30pm
300 Carlsbad Village Drive., Carlsbad, CA

The Rotary Club of Carlsbad sponsors this annual celebration, which is always attended by a crowd of Carlsbad residents. The annual tree lighting will be led by Carlsbad Mayor-Elect Keith Blackburn at 4:30, just as it’s getting dark. Kids will enjoy holiday crafts and storytelling courtesy of the Carlsbad Library’s Learning Center. The Carlsbad Rotary Club will also provide cookies, coffee, and hot cider.

The official Carlsbad Village Holiday Tree Lighting celebration begins at 2:00 pm. Santa arrives in an antique fire truck courtesy of the Carlsbad Fire Department with his elf and Mrs. Claus. There will be candy cane handouts, visits, and an opportunity to take free photos with Santa.


South Coast Winery Resort & Spa Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Sunday, December 1,2024
5pm-8pm
South Coast Winery: 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula, CA 92591

The holiday season officially begins with South Coast Winery’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Courtyard. Starting at 5 p.m. families can enjoy festive activities including a meet and greet with Santa Claus, a petting zoo, face painting and rides on a horse-drawn trolley. Hot chocolate, cider and a dessert bar will be available while adults can enjoy beer, wine and holiday-themed cocktails. The evening culminates with the lighting of the Christmas tree, a magical moment to share with family and friends. Attendees are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for donation to Toys for Tots, helping bring joy to children in need.

Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children ages 4 to 12; children 3 and under are free. Ticket pricing is inclusive of taxes and gratuities; all ticket sales are final. Tickets go on sale beginning October 1 and can be purchased at https://shop.wineresort.com/RESERVE.AMS.

 

Want to add your holiday themed event to the calendar? Complete the form below and someone will reach out within 24 hours.