Holiday Happenings

Dec. 1-2 – Balboa Park December Nights  Lights, color, music with traditional celebrations.

Dec. 1 – Community Christmas with Santa
Julian Town Hall, Julian. 5-8pm

Dec. 2 – North Park Toyland Parade University Ave. & 29th St., North Park.  11am.

Dec. 2 – Toy Run Fun Zone  Ocean Beach Pier Lot. 9 am-3pm. 619-224-4906

Dec. 3– La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival

Dec. 3 – Deck the Palms at Seaport Village
So. Cal. Winter wonderland of palms, surf boards and sand.

Dec. 2 – A Storybook Christmas Parade
Newport Ave., Ocean Beach. 5:05 pm

Dec. 2 & 9 – SeaWorld's Holiday Celebration
"Clyde and Seamore's Night Before Christmas" sea lion and otter show and "Shamu's Holiday Night" killer whale show. "Meet the Holiday Animals" (including reindeer, penguins, arctic foxes and more); strolling carolers and other live entertainers; and decorated photo spots throughout the park for unique holiday card images. For more information visit www.seaworldsandiego.com.

Dec. 2 &  9 – Santa Visits
Newport Ave., Ocean Beach. At the tree.  619-224-4906

Dec. 6 – Cajon Classic Cruise Parade of Lights
Santa and decorated classic cars. Main St., El Cajon. 5-8 pm.

Dec. 8-30 – Garden of Lights 
Quail Botanical Gardens, Encinitas. Illuminated gardens, wagon rides, food, shopping. 5-9pm. 1-760-436-3036 or www.qbgardens.com

Dec. 8-30 – Festival of Lights
Wild Animal Park. Gates open 9am-8pm, lights beginning at 4pm. Daily. 1-760-740-9393 or www.sandiegozoo.org

Dec. 9 –Parade of Lights
Decorated boats in inner harbor. Oceanside. 7-9pm. 1-760-722-5751

Dec. 9 – Pacific Beach Christmas Parade
Garnet &  Ingraham Streets, Pacific Beach. Noon-2:30 pm

Dec. 10 – Sandy Claws
Dog Beach in Ocean Beach. 9am-12pm.  619-224-4906.

Dec. 10 – SD Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park. "Holiday Family Day" featuring celebrations from around the world. 11am-3pm. 619-696-0199. 

Dec. 10 & 17 – Hornblower Parade of Lights Dinner Cruises
During SD Boat Parade of Lights. Fireworks, DJ, buffet.
619-686-8715 or www.hornblower.com

Dec. 13 – Old Town's Las Posadas and Luminarias
Re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter for the Christ child. Procession leaves Heritage Park at 7pm and ends in Old Town San Diego State park with a Pinata "breaking". Free. 619-220-5423 or 619-297-1183

Thru Dec. 31 – Holiday of Lights
Drive-thru light show & holiday exhibit to view from your vehicle. Sun-Thur 5:30-10pm; Fri-Sat 5:30-11pm. Del Mar Fairgrounds. 1-858-755-1161 or www.holidayoflights.com

Thru Dec. 31 – Holiday Events in Escondido Free horse & carriage rides & carolers.  Play in snow at Calif. Center for the Arts.  Various events daily 12-7:30 pm. 1-760-745-8877

Dec. 16, 23, 26-31 – SeaWorld's Holiday Celebration
"Clyde and Seamore's Night Before Christmas" sea lion and otter show and "Shamu's Holiday Night" killer whale show. "Meet the Holiday Animals" (including reindeer, penguins, arctic foxes and more); strolling carolers and other live entertainers; and decorated photo spots throughout the park for unique holiday card images.  For more information visit www.seaworldsandiego.com.

Dec. 16 & 23 – Santa Visits
Newport Ave., Ocean Beach.
At the tree.  619-224-4906

Dec. 10 & 17 – Hornblower Parade of Lights Dinner Cruises
During SD Boat Parade of Lights. Fireworks, DJ, buffet.
619-686-8715 or www.hornblower.com

Dec. 21-30 – Legoland Holiday Block Party
LEGO Santa, tree, festivities.
1-760-918-LEGO or www.LEGOLAND.com

Thru Dec. 24 – Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
The Old Globe Theatre.
Balboa Park. 619-231-1941

Dec. 22-24 – Local actor Quentin Proulx, as Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat character
Returns to Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa to captivate children of all ages with his spirited performance of  "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"  Resort lobby. 5 & 6 pm daily.  Free to the public.

Thru Dec. 30 – Garden of Lights
Quail Botanical Gardens, Encinitas. Illuminated gardens, wagon rides, food, shopping.
5-9pm. 1-760-436-3036 or www.qbgardens.com

Thru Dec. 30 – Festival of Lights
Wild Animal Park. Gates open 9am-8pm, lights beginning at 4pm. Daily. 1-760-740-9393 or
www.sandiegozoo.org

Thru Dec. 31 – Holiday of Lights
Drive-thru light show & holiday exhibit to view from your vehicle. Sun-Thur 5:30-10pm; Fri-Sat 5:30-11pm. Del Mar Fairgrounds. 1-858-755-1161 or www.holidayoflights.com

Thru Dec. 31 – Holiday Events in Escondido
Free horse & carriage rides & carolers.  Play in snow at Calif. Center for the Arts.  Various events daily 12-7:30 pm. 1-760-745-8877

Dec. 17 – Julian Community Choir Handel's Messiah
Julian Town Hall, Julian. 7pm

Dec. 24 & 25 –  Hornblower Christmas Brunch Cruise-Downtown
619-686-8715. www.hornblower.com

Dec. 28 – Port of SD Big Bay Balloon Parade
(Holiday Bowl Parade) N. Harbor Dr. Downtown. 10 am. 619-238-5808

Dec. 30-31 – Town Hall CrafTers Craft Show
Julian Town Hall, Julian. 9am-5pm

Dec. 31– First Night Escondido New Year's Eve party
13 music & dance stages, foods,  art activities, &  fireworks. California Center for the Arts. 6pm-midnite. 1-760-420-9701 or  www.firstnightescondido.com 

Dec. 31 – New Year's Eve Celebration Cruises
Champagne, music and food aboard the Hornblower yacht. 619-686-8715 or www.hornblower.com

Dec. 31 – New Year's Eve Cruise San Diego Harbor Excursion. www.sdhe.com