It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like December Nights

Press Release
Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 39th consecutive year on

Friday, Dec. 2

from

3-11 p.m.

and Saturday, Dec. 3 from

noon-11 p.m

. 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

5-9 p.m

. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 350,000 visitors to the park over two days to revel and enjoy the season.

As in years past, the event will offer seasonal entertainment for the whole family as well as festive holiday lighting throughout the Park - from the Plaza de Panama canopy - to the Botanical Building - to the landmark Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Delicious cuisine and holiday cheer are also all part of the long-standing San Diego celebration.

Other time-honored traditions will include:

• Food: Food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages;

• Shopping: Unique gift shopping at the museum stores, Spanish Village and the Balboa Park Visitors Center;

• Entertainment: Musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree and more; and

• Museums: Museums will feature a wide variety of exhibitions and entertainment, including the Timken Museum’s annual Christmas Tree displaying the exquisite Schlappi Collection of Hord and Schlappi Christmas ornaments; the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s kid-friendly and interactive exhibitions and the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People: A History of Citizen Science and Coast to Cactus in Southern California.

Balboa Park December Nights 2016 is co-produced by: The City of San Diego - the Office of Special Events and other City departments provide festival management expertise and the Balboa Park Conservancy - the Conservancy provides event oversight including large event management, sponsorship promotion, marketing and successful revenue generation.