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
Tis' the Season to Give Back!
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.
Holiday Festivals (Multi-Day Experiences)
Holiday Special Events
Holiday Lights at the AGSEM
San Diego Santa Run
Double the Holiday Cheer: Santa’s Workshop & Bluey’s Christmas Bash at Toucan Play!
9th Annual Holiday in the Village
9th Annual Holiday in the Village
Holiday Lights at the AGSEM
Holiday Parade of Lights Spectator & Dinner Cruise
Santa Visits The Super Dentists (Kearny Mesa)
Holiday Lights at the AGSEM
Holiday Lights at the AGSEM
ARLO’S LET IT SNOW BRUNCH
San Diego Ballet Presents: The Nutcracker – Destination Dance
Holiday Photos or Photo Experiences
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Santa Visits The Super Dentists (Kearny Mesa)
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Capture Holiday Magic with the Gr!nch & Cindy Lou at North County Mall!
Tree Lighting Ceremonies
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
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
Want to add your holiday themed event to the calendar? Complete the form below and someone will reach out within 24 hours.