From an iconic 1950s-era Oceanside theater to a dynamic giant dome center: These unique San Diego venues are hosting this season’s Candlelight concerts

Set in the heart of Balboa Park, the San Diego Natural History Museum offers a unique setting for live music in one of the city’s most iconic cultural hubs. Surrounded by ancient fossils, towering dinosaur skeletons, and award-winning exhibits, guests enjoy performances amid the museum’s rich architectural and scientific heritage. Located near the San Diego Zoo and Fleet Science Center, the venue is easily accessible via Park Boulevard bus routes, making for an evening of discovery and sound in the Balboa Park neighborhood.

Location: 1788 El Prado

With its iconic, animated marquee lighting up the heart of Oceanside, Star Theatre brings live music in Downtown Oceanside to life in a venue designed by architect William Glenn Balch. The beautifully restored, 986-seat theater is steps from the Oceanside Pier and near attractions like the California Surf Museum, while Oceanside Transit Center—served by Amtrak, Coaster, and several bus lines—offers effortless access for concertgoers.

Location: 402 North Coast Highway

Fleet Science Center, set in Balboa Park’s cultural heart, showcases over 100 interactive exhibits and a stunning giant dome theater, making it a dynamic destination for live music in the El Prado neighborhood. Surrounded by iconic attractions like the San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego Zoo, the venue’s central location ensures visitors can enjoy Candlelight concerts at Fleet Science Center alongside convenient parking and ample transit options.

Location: 1875 El Prado, San Diego

Candlelight concerts at Mt. Helix Park unfold atop a scenic La Mesa hillside, where sweeping views over San Diego County meet the park’s historic open-air amphitheater and iconic 35-foot cross. This intimate setting for live music in La Mesa places audiences close to nature while still within easy reach of Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo, and other cultural landmarks across the region.

Mt. Helix Park is located at 4901 Mt Helix Dr, La Mesa, San Diego.

Candlelight concerts at Mission San Luis Rey unfold within a historic Oceanside landmark, where centuries-old adobe walls, Roman arches and tranquil courtyards frame each program with a distinctive sense of place. Visitors experiencing live music in Oceanside enjoy a setting close to the Pacific coastline and a short drive from attractions such as the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Carlsbad’s cultural venues.

Mission San Luis Rey is located at 4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, San Diego.

Candlelight concerts at Chapel bring live music in Point Loma into a restored gathering space at Liberty Station’s former Naval Training Center. Soaring arched ceilings, original wood floors and historic stained glass give the interior a character rooted in its naval past. Nearby Liberty Public Market and Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens place food and drink options within the same historic complex, making the setting as much a part of the evening as the music.

Chapel is located at 2881 Roosevelt Rd, San Diego, in Liberty Station’s Point Loma neighborhood.

Candlelight concerts at St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral bring live music in Bankers Hill into a neo-Gothic setting distinguished by soaring architecture, stained-glass windows and a historic Aeolian-Skinner organ. Beside Balboa Park, the cathedral offers a cultural connection to nearby attractions such as the San Diego Museum of Art and San Diego Zoo. Its Fifth Avenue entrance, despite its Sixth Avenue address, is a useful detail for visitors arriving for an evening of candlelit tributes.

St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral is located at 2728 Sixth Avenue, San Diego, in the Bankers Hill neighborhood.

Jacobs Music Center: Home to the San Diego Symphony, this historic 1929 palace turned concert hall underwent a $125M renovation. With lavish Rococo interiors and superb acoustics after reconfigured walls and seating, it’s now one of the West Coast’s premier classical music stages.

The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park: A stunning outdoor waterfront amphitheater opened in 2021, set on San Diego Bay. It serves as the symphony’s summer residence, offering skyline views, flexible seating, and a vibrant, park-like atmosphere reminiscent of the Hollywood Bowl.

Conrad Prebys Performance Art Center: Located in La Jolla and opened in 2019, this modern venue hosts the La Jolla Music Society. Its elegant Baker‑Baum Concert Hall (513 seats) and recital spaces deliver pristine acoustics and world‑class chamber and solo performances.

Note: For the safety of our audience, all of the candlelight will be provided through flameless candles.