Rock the holiday with these parades, tree lightings and boat parades
Whether you like parades, Christmas trees or the sea, these events are sure to get you out and about in San Diego — as well as in the holiday spirit.
12.6: Coronado Holiday Parade
Brighten up your yuletide season at this traditional hometown parade set to a soundtrack of carolers and offering one lucky family the opportunity to illuminate Star Pine, the community’s colossal conifer.
Along Orange Avenue, Coronado, coronadochamber.com
12.7: Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village
Shop for gifts, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and behold the brilliance of Little Italy’s 25-foot-tall tree while traipsing past festive decor, listening to live music and stumbling upon seasonal surprises sprinkled throughout the neighborhood.
Piazza della Famiglia, Little Italy, littleitalysd.com
12.7: 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.
Memorial Park, Chula Vista, starlightparade.com
12.7: Encinitas Holiday Parade
Schmooze your way onto one of the hundred-or-so floats or join the throngs of cheering spectators during this 62nd annual Coast Highway tradition that culminates with a tree-lighting ceremony and a cameo by Kris Kringle.
Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, encinitaschamber.com
12.7: Vista Christmas Parade
See some of Vista’s best and brightest marching bands, cheerleaders and community groups during this parade that also includes horses, classic cars and Santa Claus waving from a fire engine.
Historic Downtown Vista Village, Vista, vistachamber.chambermaster.com
12.7: 40th Annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
Following a theme of “Miracle on Newport Avenue” and featuring classic Woodies, VW Beetles and the Roller Derby Dolls, O.B.’s holiday parade is bound to bring out the neighborhood’s best.
Along Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach, obtowncouncil.org
12.8: La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a “Christmas on the Moon” theme, this year’s parade through downtown La Jolla kicks off with an antique-aircraft flyover before giving guests of a glimpse of the community’s clubs, groups and performers.
Throughout the Village of La Jolla, ljparade.com
12.8: 56th Annual North Park Toyland Parade
Marching bands, vintage cars, creative floats and more bounce between Utah Street and Iowa Street during this yearly yuletide event.
Along University Avenue, North Park, explorenorthpark.com
12.8 and 12.15: 48th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Eighty lavishly decorated boats embrace this year’s theme of “Comic-Con on the Bay” as this time-honored holiday tradition dazzles 100,000 locals gathered around the bayfront.
Viewing areas around San Diego Bay, sdparadeoflights.org
12.14: PB Holiday Parade
Following the neighborhood’s Santa Run, Garnet Avenue will remain closed as numerous community groups and Pacific Beach businesses strut their stuff in one of the city’s oldest holiday parades.
Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach, pacificbeach.org
12.14: Mission Bay Parade of Lights
In this distinctly Californian celebration, an armada of vessels themed for the season cruises throughout the waters of Mission Bay.
Santa Clara Point, Mission Bay, mbyc.org
12.14: Oceanside 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 seasonal seafaring celebration along O’side’s coast.
Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, visitoceanside.org
12.15: Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
Pet owners and their furry, feathered or scaled friends are invited to don costumes and compete for prizes in several categories during this playful romp through the Gaslamp Quarter.
MLK Promenade Park, Gaslamp Quarter, gaslamp.org
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