9 Most Popular San Diego Holiday Events You Should Book in Advance
Don’t Wait to Celebrate: San Diego’s Best Holiday Events Fill Up Fast
San Diego’s most popular holiday events and Christmas activities are known to sell out or get packed on weekends — so now’s the time to plan ahead! Buy your tickets early and coordinate with friends or family to make the most of the season. From festive light displays to family-friendly holiday traditions, these San Diego celebrations are some of the best ways to share the holiday spirit and make lasting memories.
1. The Grinch! At The Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park
It’s iconic, family-friendly, and hosted at one of San Diego’s most unique performing arts venues: The Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park. Built in 1935 as part of the California Pacific International Exposition, the theater is modeled after London’s Globe Theater, where William Shakespeare’s plays were performed during his lifetime. For decades, The Grinch! has been a beloved San Diego holiday tradition, delighting families year after year. Seats sell out fast, so be sure to book early to secure your spot!
🎭 Event Details
Dates: November 5 – December 31, 2025
Times: Various showtimes including morning, matinee, and evening performances
Ticket Cost:
Kids: $33+
Adults: $49+
Learn more & get tickets for The Grinch! at The Old Globe Theater
2. Holiday Candlelight Concerts
Experience some of the most intimate and creative orchestral performances in unique San Diego venues. From chapels to outdoor amphitheaters, these holiday concerts offer a magical way to enjoy seasonal music in unforgettable settings.
This holiday season, Candlelight Concerts by Fever Up will feature a variety of festive shows designed to bring holiday cheer to audiences of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this immersive musical experience!
🎶 Event Details
Dates: Ongoing through the holiday season
Times: 6:15 PM and 8:30 PM shows
Ticket Cost: Starting at approximately $33 per person
3. New! Jingle Jets on the USS Midway
As if boarding the USS Midway wasn’t incredible enough, this holiday season you can experience it in a whole new light—literally! Jingle Jets returns for another festive season, giving visitors a chance to tour the Midway’s decks, sip on seasonal cider, snap holiday photos, and enjoy sparkling lights—all while overlooking the stunning San Diego Bay.
New for the 2025 holiday season, Jingle Jets is perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking for a unique holiday outing in San Diego.
🎄 Event Details
Dates: November 28 – December 30, 2025
Times: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Ticket Cost:
Youth: $20
Adults: $30
Children 3 & under: FREE
4. Holiday Lightscape - San Diego Botanic Gardens
One of San Diego’s newest and most popular holiday experiences is Holiday Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden, conveniently located just off the 5 Freeway in Encinitas. This immersive holiday walk features a mile of stunning light displays and gardens that feel straight out of Avatar, merging nature and art in a way you won’t forget.
Designed by professional lighting artists, each exhibit is choreographed to music, creating a magical experience for the whole family. Be sure to dress for walking uneven terrain, hills, and steps, and prepare for cooler or damp weather. Snacks and hot or cold beverages are available for purchase along the way. Reservations are required.
🎄 Event Details
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Times: Vary; events begin at sunset
Ticket Cost: $18 – $32 per person (depending on peak/off-peak days and times)
Learn more & get tickets for Holiday Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
5. Coastal Christmas Holiday Spectacular
Experience a magical coastal holiday event that’s set to become a new San Diego holiday tradition! The Coastal Christmas Holiday Spectacular features a million-light show, ice skating with Santa, s’mores, Frosty’s Fun Zone, a holiday market, explorable igloos, and free photos with Santa—perfect for visitors of all ages.
This family-friendly winter wonderland is designed to delight and create lasting holiday memories for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this enchanting seasonal celebration!
🎄 Event Details
Dates: December 12 – 26, 2025
Times: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ticket Cost:
Youth: Starting at $21
Adults: Starting at $27
Children 3 & under: FREE
Learn more & get tickets for Coastal Christmas Holiday Spectacular
6. Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium + Gaslamp Parade
San Diego’s Holiday Bowl, sponsored by DirecTV, is back with a full day of holiday festivities, family fun, and top-tier college football action! Leading up to and throughout the game, there’s something for everyone—from parades and live music to marching bands, food, and exciting on-field action.
The Port of San Diego kicks off the celebrations with the Holiday Bowl Parade, followed by the Holiday Bowl Bash – free family-friendly entertainment in the Gaslamp Quarter. You can also participate in Kaiser Permanente’s 5K Holiday Bowl Run along the waterfront before heading to Snapdragon Stadium to watch top talent from the ACC vs. Pac-12 face off for the win.
🎉 Event Details
Date: Friday, January 2, 2025
Times:
10:00 AM: Holiday Bowl Parade + 5K Run
5:00 PM: Game Kickoff
Ticket Cost:
Parade: FREE
5K Run: $18 Youth | $25 Adults | FREE for children 5 & under
Holiday Bowl Game Tickets: Starting at $83+
7. Holiday Shows at Rady's Shell at Jacobs Park
The Rady’s Shell at Jacobs Park has quickly become one of Southern California’s premier venues for orchestra and symphony performances, concerts, comedy, performing arts, and mixed media shows. This holiday season, The Shell is hosting a lineup of festive, family-friendly events that are perfect for celebrating the season in style.
If you haven’t experienced The Rady’s Shell, these exciting holiday-inspired performances are a must-see!
🎄 Featured Holiday Shows
A Night of Christmas
Dates: December 6, 2025
Times: 4:00 PM or 8 PM
What to Expect: Fireworks, storytelling, music, aerialists, and more create an unforgettable holiday spectacle for all ages.
Noel, Noel at the Rady Shell
Date: December 19, 20, 21 2025
Time: Varies depending on day
What to Expect: San Diego Symphony’s holiday tradition, Noel Noel, features favorite songs, Christmas classics, sing-alongs and holiday cheer presented by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Children’s Choir.
Learn more & get tickets for The Rady’s Shell holiday events
8. Movies on the Beach at The Hotel Del Coronado
How often do you get to watch a movie on the beach in December? This holiday season, Hotel del Coronado invites you to snuggle up in Adirondack chairs with blankets and your favorite beverages for a series of classic holiday movies under the stars. Reservations are required, and don’t forget to dress warmly for the outdoors!
🎬 Featured Movies & Dates – 2025 Holiday Season
Nov 29, 2025: Elf (2003)
December 6, 2025: Jingle All the Way (1996)
December 13, 2025: Home Alone (1990)
December 20, 2025: It’s a Wonderful Life (1947)
December 27, 2025: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
December 31, 2025: Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
🎟️ Event Details
Time: 7:30 PM each night
Ticket Cost: $26.50 per person or family packages available for up to 6 people
Learn more & reserve your spot for Movies on the Beach at Hotel del Coronado
9. The Nutcracker Ballet
Few holiday traditions are as timeless as The Nutcracker Ballet, the story of a young girl, a magical nutcracker doll, and a dream full of royal lands and faraway adventures. San Diego offers multiple venues to enjoy this beloved performance, each delivering orchestra, stunning set design, and world-class ballet artistry.
🎭 Featured Nutcracker Performances & Venues
Golden State Ballet at the Civic Theater (Downtown San Diego)
Dates: December 12 – 21, 2025
Ticket Cost: Starting at $35 per person
Experience: Full-scale production with orchestra, breathtaking set designs, and professional dancers bringing this holiday classic to life.
- Learn more & get tickets for The Nutcracker Ballet at the Civic Center
Liberty Station – Holiday Nutcracker Performances
Dates: Sat, December 7 2025 at 11am or 3pm
- Ticket Cost: Starting at $71.50
Venue: Liberty Station Performing Arts Center
Experience: Celebrate the season with this classic holiday story and interactive performance perfect for children (and adults) that need a bit more room to wiggle.
- Learn more & get tickets for The Nutcracker Ballet Tea at Liberty Station
La Jolla Music Society – Holiday Nutcracker Performances
Dates: December 13 at 6pm
- Ticket cost:
Venue: The Conrad – Baker-Baum Concert Hall
Experience: Smaller-scale but intimate performances highlighting exquisite choreography and live music.
Learn more & get tickets for The Nutcracker Ballet at The Baker-Buam Concert Hall
10. Bonus! A Christmas Carol
This classic holiday tale makes its debut at the newest theater in San Diego – The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center at Liberty Station, debuting its first production, A Christmas Carol, this 2025 season. Experience this timeless holiday classic in a stunning new theater surrounded by Liberty Station’s festive lights, art, and coastal charm.
Dates: November 26 – December 28, 2025.
Ticket cost: Starting at $54
- Venue: The Joan – Liberty Station’s brand new, state of the art, intimate performing arts center.
Learn more & get tickets for A Christmas Carol at the Cygnet Theatre Liberty Station
Bonus! San Diego's Most Popular FREE Holiday Events + Activities
On a budget? Or not sure your kids will stay long enough to validate the cost? Click below to check out more of San Diego’s Best holidays events to enjoy at no cost. Click link below!
Learn more about 25 of the BEST FREE Holiday Events in San Diego
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