La Valencia Tree Lighting Dec. 2
Holiday tree lighting with warm holiday beverages, homemade sweets, live music, carolers and children’s crafts. 4:30-9pm / La Valencia Hotel, La Jolla 855-476-6870
Coronado Holiday Parade Dec. 3
A twinkling collection of community groups, floats, marching bands and snow-sprinkled cars cruise down Orange Avenue between 6-7pm. This special tradition culminates with carol singing and a Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Rotary Park at 7pm. 619-435-9260
Taste of December Nights Dec. 3-5
Will feature some of your favorite food vendors, food trucks, and entertainment from past December Nights in a festive drive-through setting at the Inspiration Point parking lot near Balboa Park. Customers must remain in their cars. We hope you’ll join us and come hungry! 11am-10pm / Balboa Park
www.sandiego.gov/december-nights
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village Dec. 4
Transforming into a winter wonderland with Christmas twinkle lights down all the streets, our beautiful urban neighborhood
will be adorned with 10- foot tall nutcrackers and kinetic tree holiday displays on street corners, Christmas songs and more. You can also enjoy our Christmas Village, located on India Street between W. Cedar and W. Grape Streets. 4-8pm / India St & W Fir St 619-233-3898
La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village Dec. 4
Friends and family will have the chance to take part in FREE festive fun with live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, holiday photo opportunities, and a kids’ area bigger than Santa’s Toy Shop! Get in the holiday spirit while playing carnival games, listening to carolers, and enjoying delicious food and drinks from La Mesa local favorites. 12-9pm / La Mesa Village 619-343-2460
www.lamesavillageassociation.org
Snow N Glow Holiday Festival Dec. 4-Jan. 2
You can snow tube down our giant Snow Hill made with real snow! There will also be an open area to play in the snow. Sip on hot cocoa while you stroll through a million festive lights! Our Winter Wonderland glowing lights are here to make your holidays bright. Holidays in Your Car: This twinkling event is back! Experience a separate holiday light display from the comfort and safety of your vehicle! Igloo private party rentals are available to create your perfect Holiday experience. Space is limited! 4-10pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds 805-585-7811
SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off Dec. 5
40 local restaurants competing in a chili smackdown and serving chili tastings. 30 local handmade vendors with the perfect holiday gifts for shoppers. Local craft beer and wine garden with 20+ breweries and wineries. Kids Fun Fest area with bounce houses, carnival games, face painting, balloon artists, hair-dos and more. 2 live stages featuring 11 local bands plus kids entertainment. Food trucks and vendors to keep the culinary options varied. 11am-5pm / Thorn & 32nd Streets in North Park
La Jolla Christmas Parade/Holiday Festival Dec. 5
You’ll see floats, marching bands, community groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, horses, and yes ~ a camel. Church bells peal with a fly-over. There is also a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Arts & Crafts, Entertainment, Educational Exhibits, Photos with Santa. 11:30-4pm / Girard Avenue & Prospect Street
Jingle Bell Run Dec. 11
The Arthritis Foundation’s original Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get decked out and be festive, while racing to raise funds and awareness to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. 6:30-11am / Liberty Station NTC Park
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights Dec. 11
Fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dressed up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers at the harbor, restaurants and beach. Many of the boats feature people dressed up like Santa waving to the crowd. One of the best viewing spots is along the side of the Oceanside Harbor near the fishing dock and police station. 8am-5pm / Oceanside Harbor 760-722-5751
San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race Dec. 11
Come out in your finest (or ugliest) Christmas attire as you take part in the annual San Diego Santa Run, a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Over 20,000 Santas have participated in previous years but we are preparing to make this year our LARGEST Santa Run yet! 9am / Garnet Ave. and Bayard St.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights Dec. 12 & 19 
The procession of approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats has become one of the most iconic events in the region. The parade will proceed to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado, giving spectators another area to view the parade. 5:30pm / San Diego Bay
Salsa Under the Stars Dec. 17
Dust off those dancing shoes and join Manny Cepeda & Orchestra for a night of salsa dancing under the stars in the Headquarters courtyard! No partner or experience necessary. 6-9pm / The Headquarters at Seaport 760-476-1111
San Diego Holiday Half Marathon Dec. 18
A fast 13.1 mile course that starts in Rancho Penasquitos and finishes at the beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach. Starts on Penasquitos Drive then travels SW along Carmel Mountain Rd (your only ‘real’ hill at mile 1.5), along the 56 bike path and finishes at the beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach. The race includes a 711-foot net elevation drop along the rolling downhill bike path, which also makes it a personal best candidate. 5am / Hotel Karlan: 14455 Penasquitos Dr
Boarded! A New Pirate Adventure Dec. 26
This hilarious interactive show puts visitors right in the middle of the pirate action. Participants will be sworn in as part of the ship crew, trained how to navigate, sword fight, bail water from a sinking ship, escape from the King’s Jail, swab the deck and other pirate skills. Performances are 90 minutes. 10:30am-2:15pm / Maritime Museum of San Diego
SDCCU Holiday Bowl Dec. 28
This signature San Diego event annually showcases a thrilling game between some of college football’s most competitive conferences, the ACC and the Pac-12. Fans can enjoy the ultimate pregame party inside of Petco Park at Gallagher Square. Featuring interactive college football experiences, craft beers and food trucks, get in on one of San Diego’s signature sporting events! 5pm / Petco Park
San Diego International Auto Show Dec. 30-Jan. 2
Features an incredible variety of new vehicles under one roof from top global manufacturers. Be among the first in the U.S. to see San Diego debuts of newly unveiled vehicles not yet in showrooms that are expected to be on display at the show. When not captivated by the cars, show visitors can participate in exciting, fun new features, family entertainment, and interactive activities. San Diego Convention Center
