Things to do in December
Get into the holiday spirit with fun events around San Diego including the Sugar Rush 5K, various parades, December Nights, Holiday Bowl and San Diego International Auto Show.
Through 1.5.19: Holiday by the Bay
Barrel down a 100-foot ice slide, take a spin on an ice-bound bumper boat, then try your hand at riding a bucking reindeer at this breathtaking winter wonderland.
Hilton San Diego Bayfront, East Village, hiltonholidaybythebay.com
12.1: 55th annual North Park Toyland Parade
Marching bands, vintage cars, beauty queens and more meander between Utah and Iowa streets during Uptown’s yearly yuletide event.
University Avenue, North Park, explorenorthpark.com/post/toyland-parade
12.1: 20th annual Little Italy Christmas Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
Take care of some holiday shopping, go for a horse-carriage ride and then stand in awe of a 25-foot-tall poinsettia tower while basking in Little Italy’s abundant charm.
India Street and Piazza della Famiglia, Little Italy, littleitalysd.com/events
12.1: Sugar Rush 5K
In this unique exhibit of athleticism, runners consume Krispy Kreme donuts at each mile-marker before attending a finish line celebration that includes cornhole, oversized checkers and ladder ball among other games.
Embarcadero Park North, Marina District, thesugarrush5k.com
12.1: Chula Vista Starlight Parade
Bring the whole family to this holiday parade that includes real snow, an elf-yourself station and pictures with St. Nick himself.
Third Avenue, downtown Chula Vista, starlightparade.com
12.1: 61st annual Encinitas Holiday Parade
Schmooze your way onto any of nearly 100 floats or join the throngs of cheering spectators during this Coast Highway tradition that culminates with a tree-lighting ceremony and a cameo by Kris Kringle.
S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, encinitaschamber.com
12.1: 60th annual Vista Candyland Christmas Parade
See some of Vista’s best and brightest community groups during this parade that commences at the Civic Center and winds down at Wave Waterpark.
Throughout historic downtown Vista, vistachamber.chambermaster.com
12.1: Winter Wonderland Festival
Scamper around in real snow, create winter-themed crafts and rub noses with live reindeer as the North Pole takes over the heart of Escondido.
California Center for the Arts, Escondido, artcenter.org
12.1: 39th annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
More than 100 groups of Obecians embrace an It’s a Wonderful Life theme as O.B.’s holiday parade returns to bring out the neighborhood’s most curious and creative.
Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach, obtowncouncil.org
12.2: The Local Bazaar @ Liberty Station
Cross off any remaining names from your shopping list at this pop-up holiday market offering a curated selection of local fashion, handmade gifts and vintage treasures from more than 150 vendors.
The Corky McMillin Event Center, Liberty Station, thelocal-bazaar.com
12.2: 61st annual La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Kicking off with an antique-aircraft flyover and sporting a new Sounds of Christmas theme, this holiday parade through downtown La Jolla gives guests of glimpse of the community’s incredible talent.
Girard Avenue & Prospect Street, La Jolla, ljparade.com
12.2: WinterFest 2018
Enjoy holiday carolers, a horse-drawn carriage and colorful ballet dancers at this family-friendly fête that also includes a holiday marketplace and a snow-covered-tree lighting.
Vista Village, downtown Vista, winteriscomingtovista.com
12.7: 43rd annual Coronado Holiday Parade
Light up your yuletide season at this traditional hometown parade set to a soundtrack of carolers and offering one lucky family the chance to illuminate Star Pine, the community’s enormous holiday tree.
Orange Avenue, Coronado, coronadochamber.com
12.7-8: 41st annual December Nights
Admission to this iconic two-day extravaganza — the largest free festival in the city — includes access to an endless amount of international food as well as exhibits and entertainers at many of the Park’s museums.
Throughout Balboa Park, sandiego.gov/december-nights
12.7-8: La Mesa Holiday in the Village
Get into the holiday spirit by ambling down the streets of historic downtown La Mesa while enjoying live music, craft merchants and occasional fire pits where you can warm your weary bones.
La Mesa Village, La Mesa, lamesavillageassociation.org
La Mesa Holiday in the Village.
12.8: Poway Christmas in the Park
Travel back to a simpler time this Christmas season with Poway’s steam locomotives, horse-drawn hayrides and live entertainment reminiscent of an earlier era.
Old Poway Park, Poway, poway.org
12.8: Fifth annual Makers Arcade Holiday Fair
Meet makers, listen to live music and express yourself at the make-and-take craft center during this unique event that includes scrumptious bites, a free photo booth and finely crafted cocktails.
Port Pavilion at Broadway Pier, Marina District, makersarcade.com
12.8: Mission Bay Parade of Lights
In this distinctly Californian celebration, an armada of seaworthy vessels decorated for the season cruises along the waters of Mission Bay.
Santa Clara Point, Mission Bay, mbyc.org
12.8: Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Bring a blanket, a jacket and some cocoa to sip on while watching decked-out boats of all shapes and sizes in this seafaring celebration along O’side’s coast.
Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, visitoceanside.org
12.8: Warren Miller’s Face of Winter
Warren Miller, who practically invented the modern ski movie, passed earlier this year. This movie screening pays homage to the great filmmaker and showcases some of the world’s greatest skiers and snowboarders carving powder in stunning, remote locations.
La Paloma Theatre, Encinitas, lapalomatheatre.com
12.8: 27th annual Jingle Bell Run
Do your part to help find a cure for arthritis at this holiday-themed 5K that welcomes runners to dress up in their North-Pole best.
Liberty Station, Point Loma, events.arthritis.org
12.9: Red Nose Run
Choose either a 3K or a 5K on this fundraising, Fido-friendly holiday run followed by drinks and bites at the iconic Poseidon Restaurant.
Del Mar Beach, Del Mar, therednoserun.com
12.9: Over the Edge for Brain Cancer
Show your fear of heights who’s boss while rappelling down the tallest building on downtown’s waterfront during this no-experience-necessary event benefiting brain-cancer research.
Manchester Grand Hyatt, downtown, events.abc2.org
12.9, 16: 47th annual San Diego Parade of Lights
More than 100,000 locals are expected to attend this bayfront tradition showcasing 80 lavishly decorated boats fitting this year’s theme: Tropical Island Christmas.
Several viewing areas along the San Diego Bay, sdparadeoflights.org
12.12: I Touch My Elf
Part burlesque, part alt-cabaret and all performed in just their underwear, the musical comedy duo the Skivvies brings a little holiday jingle to Hillcrest.
Martinis Above Fourth, Hillcrest, ma4sd.com
12.12-16: Fourth annual ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship
Awe-inspiring athletes from far and wide descend upon La Jolla to participate in this remarkable, rapidly growing sporting event that gives surfers with physical challenges an opportunity to compete for the title of World Champion.
La Jolla Shores, La Jolla, isasurf.org
12.14: Love Actually screening at San Diego Symphony
Find the antidote to your inner Grinch at this screening of the 2003 romantic comedy accompanied by a live performance from the San Diego Symphony.
Copley Symphony Hall, downtown, sandiegosymphony.org
12.14-15: Queen Bee Market
The city’s original urban-style, artisan market features more than 100 local and national vendors specializing in handmade and vintage accessories, along with clothing, home décor, furniture and more.
Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, thequeenbeemarket.com
12.15: 68th annual Old Town Las Posadas
Halls will be decked, fires will be built and songs will be sung during this annual procession inspired by the story of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem.
Fiesta de Reyes, Old Town, sandiego.org
12.15: Sixth annual San Diego Santa Run
Choose the 5K or one-mile route and race along the streets of P.B. with 3,000 other Santas, then put your free drink ticket to good use at Mavericks Beach Club’s post-race celebration.
Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach, sandiegorunningco.com
12.15: Pacific Beach Holiday Parade
Following the Santa Run, Garnet Avenue will remain closed as numerous community groups and P.B. businesses strut their stuff in one of the city’s oldest holiday parades.
Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach, pacificbeach.org
12.15: Sixth annual San Diego Holiday Half Marathon
Burn some of those holiday calories on this fast, 13.1-mile course that travels from Penasquitos Drive to Carmel Mountain Road, then follows the bike path along State Route 56 all the way to Torrey Pines State Beach.
From Rancho Penasquitos to Torrey Pines State Beach, sandiegoholidayhalf.com
12.16: 11th annual Vet + Pet West Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
Pet owners and their furry, feathered or scaled friends are invited to don costumes and compete in several categories during this romp through the Gaslamp followed by a free pet expo.
MLK Promenade Park, downtown, gaslamp.org
12.27-30: San Diego International Auto Show
Auto aficionados can feast their eyes on more than 400 vehicles from 40 manufacturers at this year-end show that includes many models that haven’t yet hit the road.
San Diego Convention Center, downtown, sdautoshow.com
James Cox, right, of Aston Martin San Diego, carefully polishes an Aston Martin DB11, around $250,000, in preparation for the opening of the 2017 San Diego International Auto Show.
12.31: Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
Amid a sea of gargantuan floats and inflatables, this annual balloon parade begins on downtown’s bayside streets and brings together world-class marching bands and entertaining drill teams.
Pacific Highway and Harbor Drive, downtown, holidaybowl.com
The Betty Boop balloon at the 40th annual Holiday Bowl Parade.
12.31: San Diego Holiday Bowl
Two Division I football teams face off after a heart-pounding pregame featuring marching bands, parachute jumpers and a football-field-sized American flag.
SDCCU Stadium, downtown, holidaybowl.com
12.31: New Year’s Eve
Check out our roundup of parties to watch the ball drop and ring in 2019, here.
San Diego Gulls home games
12.5 vs Tucson Roadrunners
12.15, 19 vs San Jose Barracuda
12.21 vs Ontario Reign
12.27 vs Bakersfield Condors
San Diego Sockers home games
12.16 vs Rio Grande Valley Barracudas
12.22 vs Tacoma Stars
More...
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