December nights at Balboa Park
- -December 2, 3:00pm-11:00pm, and December 3, noon-11:00pm.
- -FREE
- -“Friends, families and the community are invited to come together for festive fun, food and attractions throughout the park, including complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5-9pm.” December Nights is always poppin’ so prepare yourself ahead of time for a full day of fun with family, friends, or even just yourself.
- December 3-24, 6:00pm-7:30pm
- FREE
- Near the Koi pond at Village Walk at EastLake, carolers sing while snow falls from the sky at 6pm and 7pm each night. This magical setting will surely set the holiday mood for children and adults alike all while either dining at one of their fantastic restaurants, finishing up that holiday shopping for your loved ones, or both.
- December 4, 11:00am-6:00pm
- $5.00 (basically free)
- This exciting shopping and culture event will feature handmade goods by roughly 60 local makers, holiday-themed food stations, winter‐inspired craft cocktails and beer bars, a DIY fresh wreath workshop, lawn games, a vintage photo booth, and live music performances by local artists. The first 75 people to arrive will receive a free grab filled with items donated by our vendors! The theme of this year's event will be "A Mid-Century Holiday" with tinsel trees and vintage decor, and dressing the part is highly encouraged!” Couldn’t have said it better myself.
- December 1 through December 23, Thursday (7:30pm), Friday (8:00pm), Saturday (4:00pm and 8:00pm), Sunday (2:00pm)
- $30-$70
- We’ve all seen the movie, so how about seeing the live play? This classic story is told from a radio broadcast perspective at the Horton Grand Theatre, so get your tickets soon before they sell out this season!
The West Gate Hotels Christmas and Teddy Bear Teas
- December 2 through December 23: Friday, Saturday, Sunday from Dec. 2-18, 2:30pm until 5:00pm, and daily from the 19th-23rd.
- $30-$45
- Experience afternoon teas in the true European fashion, and let the kids enjoy the Teddy Bear Teas which include small snacks, beverages, magic shows, and a special visitor from the North Pole.
- December 2, 4:00pm-9:00pm, December 3, 9:00am-4:00pm.
- $5, (which is basically free)
- The Queen Bee Market is just the bee’s knees with over 80 vendors offering homemade and vintage goods including home décor, accessories, clothing, paper arts, vintage items, furniture, and more.
- December 3- December 23, December 26-30, 5:00pm-9:00pm
- $20
- The San Diego Botanical Garden in Encinitas dazzles visitors with beautiful Christmas light displays, blues and jazz bands, pizza and hot drinks, horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, puppet shows, sledding, carolers, and vendors selling an array of plants and plant-based creations.
Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village
- December 3, 4:00pm-8:00pm
- FREE
- Little Italy will be lighting their two famous trees at 5:30pm while hundreds of families celebrate the holiday cheer with the vendors, live bands and entertainment, and Santa Claus.
Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show
- December 19-31, 6:00pm-9:00pm
- $59.95-$64.95
- This hilarious and interactive dinner includes a four-course plated dinner, interacting with “suspects,” being interrogated, and uncovering the mystery whilst forming friendships and creating a memory to last a lifetime.
- December 10, 1:00pm-4:00pm
- FREE
- This event will bring you right back to your childhood memories of hometown parades, gathering as a community, and celebrating the members of the community you live in. With school bands, boats, floats, and Santa Claus, this is a parade you definitely shouldn’t miss.
