We dont know about you but we cant believe 2023 has almost come to an end! This time of the year is about enjoying and celebrating our family and friends with Christmas events around the city, so to help you make the best of the month, we created an easy guide for you. Here are 10 amazingly festive things to do in San Diego in December.
1. Gaslamp Artisan Market
The Gaslamp Quarter is hosting the popular Gaslamp Artisan Market this holiday season, once again! This outdoor-shopping event is the ideal spot to find unique presents, such as clothing, accessories, and other hand-crafted treasures! It’s open Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. The beautiful creations crafted by local vendors and artisans are definitely worth the visit. For more information, visit: https://www.eatfoodlesstraveled.com
Location: Island Ave. b/t 4th & 5th, 400 Island Ave.
2. Gaslamp Pet Parade
Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with your pup at the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade on December 16! This unique holiday parade is all about our k9 friends. The adorable dogs, along with their amazing owners, will parade in colorful outfits as they make their way through the iconic Gaslamp Quarter. The day kicks off at 10:00 AM in the MLK Promenade Park with a cute holiday marketplace plus Best Of competitions. After the parade, guests are invited to stroll to the second annual Pups in the Pub Party from 2pm through 4pm at the Hilton Gaslamp Quarter Hotel. Registration is $25
Location:Gaslamp Quarter, 702 Market St
3. Candlelight
There’s a special magic when attending an intimate musical experience, particularly if it’s by flickering candlelight. The Candlelight concerts in San Diego are an excellent way to get away from all the bustle of our everyday. There you’ll sit back while enjoying music from some of the county’s finest musicians in the country.
Location: Various
4. Old Globe Theatre
San Diego’s Old Globe was built back in 1935 and modeled after Shakespeare’s Old Globe in London. It is now a quintessential San Diego spot located in the lovely Balboa Park. Season after season, the Old Globe delights San Diegans and visitors alike with fabulous shows, including both classics and modern selections. A San Diegan December isn’t complete without seeing “Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” where the magical world of Whoville jumps straight out of the pages of Dr. Seuss’s iconic book or “Ebenzer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show.”
Location: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego
5. Holiday Bowl
The Holiday Bowl is the perfect holiday fun for sports lovers! This post-season NCAA college football game features the top teams and has been played at SDCCU Stadium, or Snapdtagon Stadium since 1978. The game this year features the Washington State Cougars and Michigan State Spartans. This game is also a tourist favorite event since there’s a lot more fun to enjoy besides the gam, like the Big Bay Balloon Parade. The game will begin at 5:00 pm on December 27.
6 .Ice Skating
Ice skating season is finally here, San Diegans! One of the most quintessential winter activities is easily ice skating. And even though we live in the (mostly) permanently sunny San Diego, we can still spend time in a winter wonderland thanks to the fantastic ice rinks around. Some of our favorites are the Viejas Outlet Center Ice Rink and Skating by the Sea!
Location: Various
7. Neighborhood Holiday Lights
When the holiday season comes knocking the lights come out of storage and deck the halls (or bushes) with cheer. Some neighborhoods are more festive than others and truly stand out during December. They put up elaborate displays that the whole community as well as visitors enjoy. All San Diegans love to drive across some of these neighborhoods and take in all the holiday magic. Our favorotes include Garrison Street in Point Loma, Candy Cane Lane in Poway, Christmas Card Lane in Rancho Penasquitos mong others.
8. La Jolla Christmas Parade, La Jolla
The La Jolla Christmas parade and festival draws quite a crowd, a crowd of more than 25,000 people that is! And with so much fun to be had it’s easy to see why. This family friendly extravaganza takes place on December 3rd and will have it all including a dozen talented bands , 60 outstanding equestrians, gorgeous vintage cars, and thousands of kids representig the Girl Scouts, Brownies, Gymnastics, Boy and Cub Scouts, marching bands. It’s free to register for this amazing event. The parade wil begin at Girard Avenue and Kline Street before heading toward the beach.
9. Mission Bay Parade Of Lights
This aquatic parade is another fabulous family friendly event at Mission Bay. You’ll see all sorts of boats cruisig the bay in their finnest holiday decorations, ike fairy lights, a few Santas and raindeer and more! Expect to see more than 80 festive boats participate in this annual San Diegan trradition. The Bay Parade takes place on December 9 and starts at 5:30 pm. The Parade route begins at Shelter Island and drives past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and Ferry Landing in Coronado. You can watch the parade from many spots around the city. If you are getting an early dinner you could enjoy the views of the parade from the comfort of a bayfront restaurant.
10. Balboa Park December Nights
Balboa Park is a poplar San Diego spot year round. However, during December they have more cheer than usual, and feature the lights, carolers, music and dancing to prove it! During December nights you’ll find all the festive fun at Balboa Park. We recommend checking out the beautifully handmade crafts and getting a bite to eat from the vendors. The event lasts the first Friday and Saturday of December. If you’re a mesuem lover the best might be that area museums suspend their admission fee during December Nights! Admission to this event is free.
Location:1549 El Prado, San Diego
Featured image: Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock