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Kid-Friendly Holiday Activities in San Diego in 2024

The holidays are a wonderful time of year for anyone, but especially so for the little ones in your life! Each holiday season, San Diego comes to life with dazzling lights, live shows, outdoor markets, and sweet treats. Experience the best of this year’s holiday magic with the whole family at these kid-friendly holiday events and activities in San Diego — from nighttime fun at the San Diego Zoo to a LEGO themed holiday wonderland! Whether you’re a San Diego expert looking for fresh ideas, or simply coming into town for the holidays we’ve got you covered!

La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival

December 8 – 1:30pm
Spread some holiday cheer at one of La Jolla’s most beloved traditions: the annual La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival! Complete with marching bands, floats, vintage automobiles, and of course, Santa Claus, this is a family-friendly event that shouldn’t be missed.

You’ll see floats, marching bands, community groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, horses, and more. There will also be a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring children’s arts and crafts, live entertainment, educational exhibits, and photos with Santa, all steps away from one of the most magnificent ocean views San Diego has to offer. Stay tuned for the lighting of La Jolla’s official Christmas Tree at the La Jolla Rec Center!

SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration

Starts November 15 – January 5
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration is a great way to spend the day with kids; complete with seasonal shopping, festive food and drinks, and fun live shows. Holiday music will fill the air and guests will walk through a sea of lighted trees sparkles, transforming the park into a wintery, watery wonderland. Visit Santa’s Christmas Village to see Santa himself, meet Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends, and savor holiday flavors as you shop for unique gifts and decorations. Don’t forget to check out the massive 40-foot Christmas tree!

Balboa Park December Nights

December 6th, from 3pm to 11 pm & December 7th, from 11am to 11 pm
Balboa Park December Nights is the largest free community festival in San Diego. This event is one of the most popular kid-friendly holidays in San Diego, presenting festive fun, food, and attractions throughout the park. Be sure to arrive early because December Nights draws thousands of visitors. Consider parking off-site and taking advantage of one of the complimentary shuttles.

Holiday Festival at Hotel Del Coronado

December 4
Join the Hotel Del Coronado for its Annual Holiday Festival! The evening will feature the season kickoff of Skating by the Sea, professional ice skating demonstrations, and spectacular fireworks displays. Children will delight at Santa’s Village, which will be filled with games, prizes, and photos with St. Nick. Best of all, families and friends will be front row at a holiday performance by Coronado’s schools starting at 2:30pm. Afterwards, don’t miss out on the carnival games and the chance to make magical holiday memories with roasting s’mores on the beach! Don’t miss the fireworks event starting at 6:45pm. Tickets are available to purchase online.

Holidays at LEGOLAND

November 23rd through 30th, December 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th through 30th, Fireworks on select dates: December 7th, 14th, and 21st – 30th, Kids’ New Year’s Eve on December 31st with Fireworks!
Enjoy holly jolly fun throughout LEGOLAND with festive shows and decor all holiday season long. The whole family will feel the holiday spirit when they see the 30-foot LEGO Christmas tree trimmed with awesome LEGO ornaments as it sparkles each night with music and light. This year, there will be new shows and live entertainment, including a new holiday light show, LEGO Holiday character meet-and-greets at the new Holiday Village, special holiday treats, and food offerings. Sing and dance at one of our seasonal shows, take “elfies” with your favorite holiday LEGO characters, and mail letters and meet LEGO Santa at the North Pole.

Tree Lighting at La Valencia Hotel

December 4 – 4:30pm – 8pm
Join La V’s annual family-friendly holiday tradition in La Sala Lounge at La Valencia Hotel (1132 Prospect Street), complete with live music, carolers, themed fare and cocktails, letters to Santa, and more. The King’s Carolers will begin caroling at 5pm, and the official Tree Lighting will be held at 6pm. Live entertainment from Roman Palacios will follow to complete the evening.

Season of Play at Birch Aquarium

December 16 – January 5th
Check out a holiday season for festive fun under the sun as Birch Aquarium celebrates a season of play! Get into the action as you slide across a sock skating rink while enjoying the aquarium’s epic ocean views. the events include festive music, decor, and more. Experience the magic of waterplay in Riveropolis and immerse yourself in the art of science in Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen. And don’t forget to visit the Gift Shop for your holiday shopping list!

Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo

December 14 – January 5
This holiday season, the San Diego Zoo will be transformed into a wild wonderland of twinkling lights, merry-making performances, and festive foods. Experience the magic and the spirit of the holiday season at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Join us for the return of Jungle Bells, when we light up the night until 8 p.m. with amazing entertainment and merry experiences. Bring the whole family and enjoy the warmth of the holidays at this joyous annual celebration. Brand-New This Year: Be on the lookout for our spectacular Holiday Light Treks! Jungle Bells activities are included with all admission tickets and memberships. Limited wildlife viewing after 5:00 p.m. Please refer to the holiday map for designated open areas. Last Guided Bus Tour departs at 4:00 p.m. *Excluding December 24; Santa’s Factory opens November 29.

Garden of Lights at San Diego Botanic Garden

November 15th – January 5th
Another dazzling year of Lightscape is here! Now in its third year, the spectacular showcase is open on select dates. Each holiday season, the San Diego Botanic Garden is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with over 125,000 sparkling lights for a magical holiday experience. Festive holiday activities for the whole family include sledding, holiday arts and crafts, and refreshments.

Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Balloon Parade

December 27 – 10am
If your little ones love all things balloons, this is the holiday event for you! The scenic, bayside streets of downtown San Diego will come alive with the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by Kaiser Permanente! A long tradition of the Holiday Bowl, this exciting family event brings together world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams and a procession of enormous balloons – more than any other parade! Over 100,000 street-side spectators will enjoy the parade along with a nationwide television audience. Street-side viewing of the parade is FREE! Grandstand tickets are on sale for $30 each.

Note: The dates, times, and prices on this list of kid-friendly holiday activities in San Diego are updated as best as possible. Please double-check with event planners and vendors to ensure accuracy, as dates and times can change.