A local guide to holiday theater, ballet, festive music and special performances across San Diego County.
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San Diego’s 2026 holiday arts lineup includes plays, musicals, ballet, music and seasonal films. The Grinch runs at The Old Globe, while Golden State Ballet performs The Nutcracker downtown, City Ballet performs in Escondido December 19–23, and San Diego Ballet performs in El Cajon December 19–20. Use official event links for current ticket prices and performance times. Reviewed November 14, 2026.
From the Grinch in Balboa Park to Dickens and a North County world premiere.
The Old Globe’s annual musical brings Whoville to Balboa Park. Check the performance calendar for showtimes, including a sensory-friendly performance on December 12.
The Old Globe presents a fully staged Spanish-language production of the Grinch musical for four performances. Check the theater’s calendar for individual showtimes.
Dickens gets a sunny San Diego twist in this fast-moving comic take on A Christmas Carol at the Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre.
Cygnet brings Scrooge, the Cratchits and the ghosts of Christmas to Liberty Station for its holiday production of the Dickens classic.
Music, movement and seasonal spectacle come together in Cygnet’s holiday show at The Joan. Check the calendar for matinees and evening performances.
This world-premiere play with music offers a holiday outing in Solana Beach. North Coast Rep recommends the production for audiences age 13 and older.
Buddy’s journey from the North Pole to New York comes to the Civic Theatre in the stage musical based on the holiday film.
Photo source Christian Community Theater / CYT San Diego
Christian Community Theater's all-ages Christmas variety show in Santee combines singing, dancing, harmonies and festive storytelling. Eight performances take place on two December weekends.
Choose a classic ballet with live orchestra, a hip-hop reimagining or an Irish Christmas celebration.
This contemporary reimagining sets the Nutcracker story to Tchaikovsky’s music with hip-hop dance and a New York setting.
The touring ballet brings dancers and holiday stagecraft to Jacobs Music Center for one night. This performance does not feature the San Diego Symphony orchestra.
Golden State Ballet performs the holiday classic with the San Diego Symphony at the Civic Theatre. The venue recommends the production for ages 3 and up.
Irish dance, music and storytelling share the stage for a festive evening at the historic Balboa Theatre.
Photo source California Center for the Arts, Escondido
An Escondido holiday ballet with City Ballet of San Diego and live music performed by its orchestra. The public schedule includes six performances December 19–23; an additional December 18 morning performance is for schoolchildren, not a general-audience performance.
Photo source San Diego Ballet
San Diego Ballet's annual holiday ballet returns to The Magnolia in El Cajon. The company lists a cast of dancers in the traditional story of Clara, the Sugarplum Fairy and the Land of Sweets.
Jazz, mariachi, symphonic music and a Hanukkah celebration bring a range of sounds to the season.
The swing band brings its brass-heavy holiday party to the Balboa Theatre for a lively night of seasonal music.
Spend an evening with holiday songs and familiar Carpenters favorites performed in a tribute concert.
The Grammy-winning ensemble celebrates Hanukkah with klezmer and songs drawing on Jewish tradition, including music set to lyrics by Woody Guthrie. UC San Diego lists limited free tickets for eligible students.
Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández brings a holiday program to the Balboa Theatre.
The Count Basie Orchestra puts a big-band spin on seasonal favorites at Jacobs Music Center. The San Diego Symphony orchestra does not appear at this concert.
Saxophonist Dave Koz brings his annual holiday tour and musical guests to the Balboa Theatre.
The San Diego Symphony’s waterfront holiday concert returns to The Rady Shell with special guest Jason Mraz and the San Diego Master Chorale. Bring layers for the outdoor venue.
A live score, silent-film comedy and an irreverent holiday show add more ways to celebrate.
The Balboa Theatre screens a trio of Laurel and Hardy films with live organ accompaniment by Russ Peck.
Watch the holiday movie outdoors while the San Diego Symphony performs its score live. Check the venue’s policies and dress for a cool waterfront evening.
The holiday romantic comedy comes to the big screen with its music performed live. Check the event listing for content and age guidance.
Drag performers Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme bring comedy and holiday spectacle to the Balboa Theatre. Check the event page for age guidance before booking.
Options include the Old Globe’s Grinch musical, Cygnet Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, Golden State Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Noel Noel with the San Diego Symphony and many more. Dates and ticket links are listed above.
The Grinch, The Nutcracker and Elf the Musical are among the options. Age recommendations and content vary by show, so check the venue before booking.
The Klezmatics perform A Happy Joyous Hanukkah at UC San Diego on December 3, 2026. The guide also includes jazz, mariachi and other seasonal concerts.
North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach presents How to Write a Holiday December 16–27, 2026.
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Published by the Sandi Spots Editorial team at Sleep Coast LLC. Guides combine local perspective and source research. Check the individual guide for firsthand observations and follow official links to confirm current details.