HOLIDAY PARADES, CONCERTS AND FESTIVITIES
Holiday celebrations are back in person in many communities throughout San Diego County. Here’s a guide to parades, light shows, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, community holiday shows and festivals to celebrate the season — many are free. Check the venues’ websites for health protocol updates.
ALPINE
Tree lighting: Children’s Nature Retreat Foundation will host its annual lighting of the Christmas tree at 4 p.m. Sunday at 5178 Japatul Spur, free with admission. Have hot chocolate and cookies and celebrate the season with Louie the mini horse, Dollie the Nigerian dwarf goat and Oink the Julianna pig. Visit camels, a zebra, bison, birds, bunnies and more than 140 domesticated and exotic animals. For reservations, call (619) 320-4942. Visit childrensnatureretreat.org.
BONSALL
Winter Wonders tour: Wild Wonders hosts a Winter Wonders and Holiday Lights tour of its Bonsall wild animal refuge, which will showcase its nocturnal animals. Visitors meet several animal ambassadors while strolling the 5-acre facility that has been decorated for the season. Each family will be led one at a time by a keeper. Tours are at 4:30 or 5 p.m. Dec. 17 through Jan. 2, excluding Dec. 25. Cost is $250 for a family of up to four people. Cost for additional members ages 12 and older is $30, and $20 for additional children ages 5-11. Visit wildwonders.org/winterwonders-and-holiday-lights.
CARDIFF
“Together Again, A Holiday Homecoming”: Featuring 100 singers from the International Chorus Champions Masters of Harmony based in Los Angeles and award-winning Pacific Coast Harmony chorus of La Jolla at 3 p.m. today at the Saints Constantine and Helen Church, 3459 Manchester Ave. Proof required of full COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to today or proof of negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before the event. Bring your vaccination card (or photo of it) or negative test results and photo ID. Tickets are $25, plus small service fee at brownpapertickets.com/ event/5272875.
CARLSBAD
Holidays at Legoland: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall through Jan. 9 at Legoland California, 1 Legoland Drive. Tree lightings happen nightly at the park’s 30-foot-tall Lego tree decked with lights and Lego ornaments. Photos can be taken with life-size Lego models of Santa and his reindeer in Fun Town or costumed characters such as Lego Santa, toy soldier and gingerbread man. The annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party is Dec. 31. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. Visit legoland.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).
Sensitive surroundings: The Shoppes at Carlsbad offers children with special needs a chance to visit Santa during a “Santa Cares” day before the mall opens from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday. This will be a sensory-friendly, less hectic event so these children can experience the time-honored tradition of a visit and photos with Santa. Go to the lower level, near Macy’s. Reservations are encouraged at bit.ly/3nMuXdd. The Shoppes at Carlsbad is at 2525 El Camino Real. Call (760) 444-0620.
Christmas musical: “Beyond the Manger a Christmas Musical” is set for 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Carlsbad Community Church, in the Worship Center, 3175 Harding St. The church’s Celebration Choir, orchestra and children’s choir sing songs of Christ’s birth and its significance beyond the manger. Open seating; first come, first served. Visit carlsbadcommunitychurch.com or call (760) 729-2331.
Winter WonderLights: Holiday light show from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. The light show will be choreographed to holiday music, and there will be a “magical snowfall” throughout the mall. Visit eventsforumcarlsbad.com.
CARMEL VALLEY
Santa visits shopping center: Santa will be stopping for meet and greets in front of Tilly’s at Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 12925 El Camino Real. The mall is decked with ’Tis the Sea Sun-themed holiday decorations, including a 36-foot Christmas tree made of 44 surfboards with inlaid LED lights and music with a 15-foot surfing Santa pulled by four reindeer on top of the Sky Deck roof. Meet “Delmer” the talking penguin, tour a gigantic igloo, snap a selfie with huge starfish, send letters to Santa and drive through lighted candy canes with sparkling stars. Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 19, 22 and 23. Visit delmarhighlandstowncenter.com.
Christmas caroling and crafts: Free traditional caroling performed by the King’s Carolers will be from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday after services on the patio of Saddleback Church at Canyon Crest Academy, 5951 Village Center Loop Road. There will be arts and crafts for kids along with free 12 Days of Christmas coloring books. Gift wrapping is offered. Visit saddleback.com/events?campus=56.
Pony rides and petting zoo: A familyoriented Christmas celebration with pony rides, a petting zoo and other surprises is from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 19 in the parking lot of Saddleback Church at Canyon Crest Academy, 5951 Village Center Loop Road. There will be arts and crafts for kids along with free 12 Days of Christmas coloring books. Gift wrapping is offered. On Dec. 24 from 5 to 6 p.m., after the 4 p.m. service, the Polar Express Christmas Train will be running in the church parking lot. Visit saddleback.com/ events?campus=56.
CHULA VISTA
Libraries join the fun: Chula Vista libraries offer several free holidaythemed events: The Otay Ranch Library, 2015 Birch Road, hosts Cookies & Crafts With Mrs. Claus for ages 2-5 from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. Mrs. Claus will read stories, and then children can work on a holiday-themed craft. Call (619) 397-5740. The Civic Center Library, 365 F St., will host Santa and Mrs. Claus for all ages from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 18 on the Friendship Park deck. Mrs. Claus and elves will be on hand to help with crafts while children visit with Santa. The first 20 families will receive a free copy of the book “Little Blue Truck’s Christmas.” Call (619) 691-5069.
Free nutty “Nutcracker”: Totally Nutzcrackers is a free performance at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Memorial Bowl, 373 Park Way, featuring the San Diego Ballet and dozens of Chula Vista dancers. This is a 50-minute version of the traditional “Nutcracker” ballet with an original, upbeat musical score. After the live performance, children can come on stage to learn dance moves from the members of the San Diego Ballet. Presented by the Community Services Department of the city of Chula Vista and Victory Arts, and sponsored by South County Buick GMC from the National City Mile of Cars. Call (619) 504-8255.
Snow and more at Village Walk: The open-air shopping center Village Walk at EastLake hosts holiday events, including free snowfall, accompanied by choreographed music and lights, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through Dec. 24. The snow transforms the courtyard near the Koi Pond into a holiday wonderland. Children get free headbands and “magic” glasses to watch the snow fall in rainbow colors. Visitors can also take holiday photos from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays with life-size Santa, snowman, Elsa and Olaf cutouts throughout the shopping center. New this year is a giant pictureframe setting that will be set up near the children’s play area from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. A professional photographer will be available to take “picture perfect” photos using each family’s camera or mobile phone. Village Walk at EastLake is at Eastlake Parkway and Miller Drive. Visit shopvillagewalk.com for more on holiday events.
DEL MAR
Snow N Glow: The Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts a Snow N Glow Holiday Festival with three holiday attractions from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, through Jan. 2, and daily Dec. 20-23 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Holidays in your Car features a 1.5-mile drive through a display of a million holidaythemed LED lights accompanied by music, holograms and lasers. Drivers can get out of their cars and enter a walk-thru Snow N Glow display of lights, sipping hot cocoa. In addition, there will be a Snow Tubing & Play Area where kids and adults can snow-tube down a snowy hill and play in the snow, made daily. S’mores kits, food and
drinks will be sold, and private igloos will be rented out. Tickets to the walk-thru Snow N Glow path are $17.99 for adults and $12.99 for ages 3 to 10. Tickets to both Snow N Glow and the snow activities are $34.99 for adults and children. Admission is free for ages 2 and younger. Holidays in Your Car tickets are $45 per carload. COVID-19 guidelines are observed. Visit snownglow.com.
EL CAJON
Santa’s on the job: Parkway Plaza hosts hours with Santa from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. Make reservations at visitparkwayplaza.com/holiday. Photos with Santa are also available (see schedule online). Santa Paws pet photos are from 4 to 8 p.m. through Dec. 20. Parkway Plaza is at 415 Fletcher Parkway. Call (619) 579-9932.
ENCINITAS
Botanic Garden Wonderland: Holiday nights at the San Diego Botanic Garden feature a more-than-one-mile path decorated with holiday lights that winds through the garden with seasonal carolers and Santa from 5:30 to 9 p.m. today through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-30 at 300 Quail Gardens Drive. There will be seating on the Gazebo Lawn near food trucks and Letters to Santa and other activities offered for children. Some nights, the San Diego Woodturners will give a demonstration and will sell wood items to benefit Turn Around for Veterans (see schedule at sdwt.org/wood). Reservations are required, and tickets range from $10 to $22; free for kids 2 and younger. Visit sdbgarden.org/botanicwonderland.htm.
ESCONDIDO
Annual Northern Lights: The California Center for the Arts, Escondido features a light show designed by the Peace Family from 5 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 3. Visitors can walk around the center’s 12-acre campus through tunnels of twinkling lights, by giant LED Christmas trees and themed light displays at the historical train depot. Light shows with synchronized music will be in the Lyric Courtyard and Center Theater Courtyard. Hot beverages and cookies will be sold Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free. Visit artcenter.org.
Winter Wonderland: Visitors to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido can play in snow, join holiday crafting activities led by artists, browse for gifts made by local artisans and buy holiday-themed drinks and treats at Santa’s Corner Café from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and Dec. 18 at 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Free crafting workshops include Festive Winter Trees today, making holiday decorations out of recycled materials; and Upcycled Paper Stars on Dec. 18, creating decorative paper stars. Admission is free. Visit artcenter.org.
Safari Park features Wild Holidays: The San Diego Zoo Safari Park celebrates the “wild holidays” with an expedition of light and travel through places that twinkle, holiday tunes and seasonal foods from 4 to 8 p.m. today and Sunday, Dec. 18-23, 26-31 and Jan. 1-2 at the park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road. Entertainment includes Light Up the Holidays choreographed lighted tree show with holiday music at Safari Base Camp, Santa at Village Market, Holiday Troubadour, Bridge of Lights, Firefly Stilt Walkers and Journey of Light decorated pathways and Nairobi Lantern Walk, among other attractions. Tickets or membership to the Safari Park are required for entry to Wild Holidays; prices vary. Visit sdzsafaripark.org.
Carols by Candlelight: This Christmas concert was created in 1990 by now-Poway Mayor Steve Vaus and Wayne Nelson to help make a difference in the lives of children. American Country Music award winner Mark Wills is among the performers at this year’s
event, which has its final show at 8 p.m. today at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Proceeds benefit Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Tickets range from $9 to $94 and are available at sforce.co/3DIIE2i.
Bethlehem re-created: The First United Methodist Church of Escondido will host its 32nd re-creation of the “Little Town of Bethlehem” as a drive-thru instead of a walk from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today and Sunday at the church, 341 S. Kalmia St. Visitors are asked to bring donations of nonperishable food or financial support for Interfaith Community Services. Reservations are required at fumcescondido.org.
LAKESIDE
Spirit of Christmas: Youngsters are encouraged to drop off letters to Santa in the special North Pole mailbox (remember to enclose a self-addressed stamped return envelope). The North Pole mailbox will be in the Lakeside Historical Society courtyard on Maine Avenue until Dec. 24. Visit lakesidechamber.org or call (619) 561-1031.
LA MESA
Photos with Santa: Gather friends and family to see the giant Christmas tree in Center Court, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive. Youngsters can get a photo with St. Nick at Santa’s Hut from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve. Book appointments at grossmontcenter.com/santa-photo-booth.
NATIONAL CITY
Tree lighting and celebration: The annual community celebration will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. today at Kimball Park, E. 12th St., where families can enjoy sledding, train rides, food trucks, entertainment, a Ferris wheel and a 6:30 p.m. tree lighting. Call (619) 336-4290 or visit nationalcityca.gov.
OCEANSIDE
Holiday Gift Market: From 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays in December, the Sunset Market becomes the Holiday Gift Market downtown with 200 artisans and merchants, an international food court, live music and children’s activities at Pier View Way and Coast Highway. Visits with Santa are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Visit sunsetmarket.com.
Annual Holiday Express: North County Transit District’s annual Holiday Express runs at 10:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. today and Sunday, featuring Santa Claus, carolers and holiday characters for an hour of songs and tales from the North Pole. Arrive at the Oceanside Transit Center, 205 S. Tremont St. Follow the signs to Platform 2. After boarding, the train will take an approximately 65-minute trip to the Solana Beach Station and back, as carolers and holiday characters visit the train cars to perform and hand out toys and wish lists for Santa. Finally, Santa will meet with the children and take pictures. Back at the Oceanside Transit Center, children can deposit their wish lists for Santa in the official Holiday Express Mailbox on the platform. Tickets are $20 for all ages. Register at gonctd.com/holidayexpress.
Winter Story Stroll: The Oceanside Public Library hosts a free bilingual Winter Story Stroll at the Adelante Bookmobile open to all ages from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday at Joe Balderrama Park, 709 San Diego St. Highlights include champurrado and pan dulce, take-home crafts and book giveaways. No registration needed. Visit oceansidepubliclibrary.org.
POWAY
Christmas in the Park: The annual old-fashioned holiday celebration from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. today includes caroling, a craft boutique, holiday sweets and warm dinner foods, visits with Santa, horse-drawn hayrides and steam locomotive rides around Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Christmas tree lighting is at 5:15 p.m. with arrival of Santa at 5:30 p.m. Admission and rides are free. Free shuttles from 3 to 9 p.m. from two Poway City Hall parking lot, 13325 Civic Center Drive and Poway Adult School parking lot, 13626 Twin Peaks Road. Visit poway.org.
RANCHO BERNARDO
Drive-thru Nativity scene: Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church hosts a drive-thru Nativity scene with angels, kings and a stable full of live animals, including camels, from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19 in the upper parking lot at 17010 Pomerado Road. Listen to the Nativity narrative in your car by tuning into the sound via phone. There will be directions on how to access the YouTube playlist at the event. Drive through the upper church parking lot any time between 5 and 9 p.m. and tune in to the sound via your phone and enjoy being transported into another time courtesy of the Rancho Bernardo Community Family. Visit rbcommunity.org.
SAN DIEGO
Jungle Bells at the zoo: The annual Jungle Bells celebration at the San Diego Zoo is a wild wonderland of twinkling lights, holiday music and displays that interweave 3-D projections, music and light. Find Santa at Gingerbread Landing. The seasonal event is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today through Dec. 23, Dec. 25-31 and Jan. 1-2. On Dec. 24, the zoo closes at 5 p.m. Free with park admission. The zoo is at 2920 Zoo Drive. Visit sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org.
Celebrate at SeaWorld San Diego: New holiday attractions on select nights through Jan. 2 this year include Santa’s Circus, an interactive family-friendly show with stunts, illusion and comedy and Elmo’s Christmas Wish, starring the Sesame Street characters. Attend the tree lighting ceremony with snowfall at sunset in Jingle Bell Square, when thousands of lights on the new, 30-foot Christmas tree are programmed to twinkle to holiday songs. SeaWorld also will be celebrating Kwanzaa with a nightly lighting of the kinara from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Holiday festivities are included with park admission. SeaWorld is at 500 Sea World Drive. Call (619) 222-4732 or visit seaworldsandiego.com
Parade of Lights: The boating community continues its tradition with the 50th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 19. More than 50 sparkling and decorated boats will celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas and proceed to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado. Visit sdparadeoflights.org. “Holiday Sing-Along at the Conrad”: The free singalong is at 5 p.m. Dec. 19 hosted by the La Jolla Music Society in the courtyard, Wu Tsai QRT.yrd, of Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. Bring a book to donate to the Friends of the La Jolla Library or an instrument to donate to the La Jolla Music Society’s after-school program. Visit ljms.org/events.
Winter Carnival: The La Jolla Open Aire Market puts on a free Winter Carnival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, on the grounds of La Jolla Elementary School with a winter wonderland playground, Santa, live music and crafts at Girard Avenue and Genter Street. Visit lajollamarket.com.
Holiday festivities at Westfield UTC: Winter Nights are from 5 to 8 p.m. today with live entertainment on the main stage in Palm Plaza, hands-on activities, interactive snow globes Winter Fairy and friends for familyfriendly storybook reading and singalongs. Photos with Santa near Macy’s and the children’s play space and letters to Santa at the Concierge Cabana in Palm Plaza through Dec. 24. Santa Paws is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, offering a photo of pets with Santa. Reservations are encouraged for photos and story time. Visit westfield.com/utc.
“Seas ’n’ Greetings”: Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography hosts a holiday celebration with family seasonal activities, including photo opportunities, holiday music and an interactive scavenger hunt through Dec. 31 at 2300 Expedition Way. Aquarium admission is $24.95; $19.95 for ages 3-17; discount for seniors, students and military. Reservations are required at aquarium.ucsd.edu.
Family Holiday Hullabaloo: The event with singing and dancing to the tunes of San Diego “kid folk” band Hullabaloo along with art activities is from 10 a.m. Sunday, hosted by the La Jolla Historical Society. Admission is free; registration is required at bit.ly/LJHSHullabaloo.
Christmas in Little Italy: There’s not one but two holiday trees to see in this urban neighborhood, decorated with nutcrackers and kinetic, seasonal displays. Check out Joshua Hubert’s Aurora tree at Piazza Basilone and the 25-foot tree at Piazza della Famiglia. Visit littleitalysd.com.
Tree lighting in Pacific Beach: The Crystal Pier tree lighting takes place at sunset today, and the decorations can be seen through Dec. 25. Visit pacificbeach.org.
Lights in Bankers Hill: The 24th annual Holiday Lighting Display at The Forward House (Bankers Hill mansion built in 1905 for San Diego Mayor John Forward Sr.), 108 Ivy St., is synchronized to music. Santa will make a socially distant stop from his sleigh on the rooftop from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 18, and all will receive a wrapped candy cane. Walk or drive by the mansion from 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through New Year’s Eve. Call (619) 533-7900.
Snapdragon Bowl Bash and Concert: Four music acts of the 1980s, featuring Flock of Seagulls, The English Beat, Missing Persons and Taylor Dayne, will be onstage at Gallagher Square inside Petco Park on Dec. 27 as part of the Bowl Week festivities for the annual San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl. Marching bands for the schools playing in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl are slated to perform at 5 p.m. at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter. The concert begins about 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the bash and concert are $40 and $55; $5 from each ticket will be donated to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Visit holidaybowl.com.
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade: Billed as “America’s Largest Balloon Parade” with marching bands, floats, drill teams and a procession of huge balloons, the event kicks off at 10 a.m. Dec. 28 in downtown San Diego, presented by Kaiser Permanente. Festivities begin in the television area with the Holiday Bowl 5K Run/Walk. Street-side parade viewing is free; grandstand seats are $25. Visit holidaybowl.com/holiday-bowl-paradeand-5k/holiday-bowl-parade. “Nutcracker” Tea Party: San Diego Ballet presents a narrated performance of “The Nutcracker” with treats, Santa and an interactive demonstration by the ballet at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. today at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. Tickets are $55-$65 at tix.com/ticket-sales/libertystation/5958.
Snow and lowriders: Holiday in the Hills will take place today in the Paradise Hills neighborhood of southern San Diego. The free event will be from 1 to 9 p.m. in the 2300 block of Reo Drive. It will feature snow, a parade of lowrider cars and live music. For information, call (619) 233-8091.
SOLANA BEACH
Santa’s Sleigh Run: Santa will be riding through Solana Beach with firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and marine safety personnel from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 17, starting and ending at the Solana Beach Fire Station, 500 Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Attendees should stay on the sidewalk when Santa passes by, and kids are encouraged to make posters thanking first responders. Check the city website to find out the estimated time when Santa will be in your neighborhood. Visit ci.solana-beach.ca.us.
VALLEY CENTER
Breakfast with Santa: The familyoriented event is from 9 to 11 a.m. today, including a chance to get photo with Santa, at Armstrong Feed & Supply, 28520 Cole Grade Road. Free hot chocolate and breakfast will be served. Discount on big bags of feed and hay. Visit armstrongfeed.com.
VISTA
Jingle Terrace Park: The free holidaythemed drive-thru light show is from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 23 with light displays showing many of Vista’s unique amenities, along a driving loop in Brengle Terrace Park, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. Volunteers from the San Diego Food Bank will accept donations from your car. Visit cityofvista.com/ departments/recreation-commservices/jingle-terrace-park.
Holiday Homes Tour: Vista Community Clinic hosts its 35th annual Holiday Homes Tour to be held virtually Sunday through Dec. 19. The online event will feature five homes across North County decorated by professional designers for the holidays. Attendees can take a narrated journey through each house alongside the designer responsible for the decor. The tour will also feature a silent auction with holiday baskets and one-of-a-kind items. Proceeds support the clinic’s services for all community member. Tickets are $25 at supportvcc.org.
“Miracle on 34th Street”: Moonlight Stage Productions stages “Miracle on 34th Street: A Musical Radio Play,” adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio broadcast, through Dec. 23 at the AVO Playhouse, 303 Main St. The classic play features the story of a department store Santa who says he’s the real Kriss Kringle. Tickets are $47; $45 for students and seniors; $43 for military and $37 for ages 12 and younger for matinee and evening performances. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Moonlight Cultural Foundation. Visit moonlightstage.com/shows-tickets/miracleon-34th-street-a-musical-radio-play.