November is here, and the festive season is just beginning!
As Autumn continues and slowly turns into Winter, let’s celebrate this special time with unique activities this November. We know here in sunny San Diego the seasons don’t seem to change, but that doesn’t mean we can’t participate in all the festive fall fun! If we’re lucky, we might be able to pull off a light jacket!
1. Dia De Los Muertos
Though Dia de los Muertos is only November 1 & 2, you can still celebrate here in San Diego! That’s right, there are many fun events until November 7 where you can honor your dead.
2. San Diego Beer Week
San Diego Beer Week is a beloved celebration of the fantastic local breweries around San Diego. This 10-day event starts on Friday, November 4, and lasts until November 13!
Location: various
3. Candlelight’s A Tribute to Adele
After having enormous success around the world—in cities like Paris, Barcelona, and New York—this magical musical experience is here in San Diego! Buy tickets for San Diego Candlelight concerts here. During November, you can get tickets for A Tribute to Adele, where you’ll be serenaded to some of the artist’s greatest hits by talented musicians in a gorgeous candlelit venue.
Location: 2881 Roosevelt Rd, 92106
4. Fleet Week San Diego
From November 4 to 11, experience one of San Diego’s biggest military events featuring thrilling military displays and high-tech equipment in the Innovation Zone. You can also take Navy & Coast Guard ship tours and then enjoy the live music, food, and fun of the whole event! Enjoy the military Veterans art exhibit on November 4 – 13 and the Fleet Week Foundation Veteran’s Day Boat Parade on November 11.
5. Christmas Arts, Crafts & Vintage Market
From November 26 to November 28 head over to Bates Nut Farm to start your holiday shopping early! At the “Christmas
on the Farm” you’ll find loads of handmade treasures like arts & crafts and vintage pieces! There is a large variety of jewelry, woodworking, candles, soaps, fine art, and more. This is a perfect spot to shop for sustainable gifts this holiday season. After the shopping, you can enjoy fun family-friendly activities like Snows Pony Rides & Petting Corral, and face painting. You can then take a break from all the seasonal fun and enjoy delicious snacks from the various food vendors. The Christmas Arts, Crafts & Vintage Market opens at 9 am and closes at 4 pm.
Location: 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center, CA
6. San Diego Wine & Food Festival
From November 11-14, enjoy delicious wine and food at this fabulous festival featuring dozens of fantastic events! There will be hundreds of domestic and international wineries there showing off their best wines, as well as many craft beer and spirits! Many local culinary masters and celebrities will be at the Grand Tasting Finale on the stunning Embarcadero.
7.Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration
Starting on November 12, Seaworld’s Christmas Celebration is on! The annual Christmas show is a holiday-themed extravaganza. There will be seasonal shopping, festive food and drinks, and stunning live shows for the whole family to enjoy! The celebrations last until January 2, 2022.
Location: 500 Sea World Dr., San Diego, CA 92109
8. Carlsbad Veteran’s Day Ceremony
The Army and Navy Academy Cadets and the Rotary Club of Carlsbad will host a Veterans Day ceremony on November 11 starting at 11 am until noon. This ceremony will take place at the academy’s Stephen M. Bliss Stadium and will have guest speaker, retired Marine Col. Russ Hanthorn. There will be flyovers of vintage warplanes and so much more!
Location: 2605 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
9. Holidays At Legoland
From November 20 to January 8, 2023, you can experience the holidays with a LEGO twist! There will be music and cheer at LEGOLAND, which will all culminate with the world’s biggest LEGO® Christmas Tree! Santa’s elves will be busy at work and singing in Fun Town. You and the kids can take a picture with a life-sized LEGO Santa and Reindeer to remember the magic of the holidays!
Location: One Legoland Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008
10. San Diego Jazz Fest And Extravaganza
Get ready to swing to the best of jazz from November 26-28. The San Diego Jazz Fest is back to knock your socks off, with performances from the best jazz musicians in the country! You’ll be treated to an extensive range of traditional jazz, like ragtime to swing. This Jazz extravaganza will take place at the Town & Country Resort and Hotel in Hotel Circle.
Location: 500 Hotel Cir N, San Diego, CA 92108
11. Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving marks the official start of the holiday season. And as San Diegans, we are luckier than most, as our sunny days continue but have a distinct touch of fall. Before or after your Thanksgiving feast, you and the family can enjoy the gorgeous California outdoors. You could get ahead of holiday shopping, enjoy a day at the beach, and so much more! You can even volunteer your time at a food bank and make Thanksgiving a beautiful day for others!
12. Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Did you know that the one and only Dr. Seus was a San Diegan through and through? Well, from November 9 – December 31, you can relive the magic of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas as a musical! Based on this literary classic, the whimsical musical is sure to bring the kid out of even the biggest Grinch around!
Location: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
13. Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition
Do you ever wish your dates had a bit more of a historical murderous edge to them? Well, this adventurous San Diego event might just be made for you! This true crime tour of the Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is an immersive activity where you can explore several eras in time and the unique crimes that marked them. You will learn the darker history of the historic Gaslamp Quarter in a memorable and interactive way. The event takes place at either 11 am to 12 pm noon or 10 pm to 11 pm, you’ll meet Henry’s Pub.
Location: 618 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101
14.Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show
Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big San Diego Christmas Show will celebrate the joy of Christmas from November 18 to December 24. This theatrical reimagining of the beloved Christmas tale will take you straight back to your childhood and introduce little ones to the iconic ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future!
Location: 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
15. Skating By The Sea
Ice skating during the holiday season is essential, and from November 17 to January 1, 2023, Skating By The Sea awaits. This spectacular seaside ice rink on Windsor Lawn features stunning views of the Pacific and Coronado beach! Only in San Diego!
Location: 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118
16. Julian Country Christmas And Tree Lighting
Nothing screams Christmas like a good old-fashioned tree-lighting ceremony. The Julian Country Christmas event on November 26 is a beautiful way of feeling the spirit of Christmas once more, and maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of snow-capped mountains!
Location: 2811 Washington St, Julian, CA 92036
17. Santa Train North Pole Limited
All aboard the Santa Train North Pole Limited! From November 25 to December 17, the holiday magic is on full steam ahead! Get ready for Christmas carols, delicious cookies, hot cocoa, The Night Before Christmas, and the big guy himself, Santa!
Location: 750 Depot St, Campo, CA 91906