🎵 ConcertWed, Dec 2
Squirrel Nut Zippers - Christmas Caravan 2026
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$45 · See website for times
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December · Updated weekly
The best month for locals. December Nights, Hotel Del ice, Parade of Lights, mild-and-magical.
Last updated · 59 events tracked
Weather
Highs 66°F, lows 49°F. Ocean 60°F. Occasional rain, mostly cool and sunny.
Why December
December Nights at Balboa Park (350K attend free), Hotel Del outdoor ice, Parade of Lights.
Signature events
Auto-updated from our events database — concerts, festivals, sports, family, culture, and nightlife.
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$45 · See website for times
Balboa Park · Balboa Park
San Diego's largest free holiday festival with 2M+ visitors.
Free · 3pm
Balboa Park · Balboa Park
San Diego's largest free community festival — 350,000+ attendees, free museum entry.
Free · 3pm
Balboa Park · Balboa Park
Free light show and holiday displays.
Free · 5pm
Balboa Park · Balboa Park
Free two-night holiday festival with free museum entry.
Free · 5pm
Newport Ave · Ocean Beach
Quirky OB holiday parade.
Free · 5:05pm
State Street · Carlsbad
Village Christmas tree lighting with carolers and hot cocoa.
Free · 5:30pm
Pechanga Arena · Midway
Annual Teddy Bear Toss night benefiting local kids.
$20–$85 · 7pm
Soda Bar · Normal Heights
Michelle Zauner brings her acclaimed indie pop project Japanese Breakfast to intimate Soda Bar.
$30–$50 · 8pm
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre · College Area
Pedro Fernandez live at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre in San Diego on 2026-12-05.
Check website · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$40 · See website for times
Frontwave Arena · Oceanside
Max McNown / Ian Munsick / Graham Barham live at Frontwave Arena in San Diego on 2026-12-05.
Check website · See website for times
Coast Highway 101 · Encinitas
Holiday-themed extension of the Encinitas Street Fair.
Free · 10am
Newport Avenue · Ocean Beach
Community tree lighting on Newport Ave.
Free · 6pm
Observatory North Park · North Park
The Pineapple Thief live at Observatory North Park in San Diego on 2026-12-06.
Check website · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$25 · See website for times
The Casbah · Little Italy
Check website · See website for times
American Comedy Co. · Gaslamp Quarter
Yannis Pappas LIVE! at American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp Quarter on 2026-12-11 at 7:00 PM.
Check website · 7pm
House of Blues San Diego · Gaslamp
Yung Gravy / Terror Reid live at House of Blues San Diego in San Diego on 2026-12-11.
Check website · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$40 · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$60.50 · See website for times
San Diego Botanic Garden · Encinitas
Guided poinsettia walks and holiday plants.
Included · 10am
Pechanga Arena · Midway
Toss teddy bears onto the ice after the first goal.
$20+ · 7pm
Mission Bay · Mission Bay
Decorated boats parade around Mission Bay.
Free · 7pm
American Comedy Co. · Gaslamp Quarter
Yannis Pappas LIVE! at American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp Quarter on 2026-12-12 at 7:00 PM.
Check website · 7pm
Oceanside Harbor · Oceanside
Decorated boats parade around Oceanside Harbor.
Free · 7pm
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$60.50 · See website for times
Viejas Arena · College Area
Triumph / April Wine live at Viejas Arena in San Diego on 2026-12-12.
Check website · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$22 · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$22 · See website for times
San Diego Bay · Harbor / Downtown
80+ boats decorated with holiday lights parade along the harbor.
Free · 5pm
The Casbah · Little Italy
Check website · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$25 · See website for times
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$40 · See website for times
Various Harbors · Multiple Locations
Watch 20,000 gray whales migrate past San Diego.
$50–$75 · 9am
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$85 · See website for times
Balboa Theatre · Downtown
Annual holiday tradition — Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker at the Balboa.
$35–$95 · 2pm
San Diego Bay · Harbor
The second parade of decorated boats lights up the bay for the holiday season.
Free · 5:30pm
Coronado Ferry Landing · Coronado
Nightly fake-snow shows and tree lighting.
Free · 5pm
Copley Symphony Hall · Downtown
Christmas symphony concert with SD Master Chorale.
$35–$95 · 7:30pm
American Comedy Co. · Gaslamp Quarter
Desi Banks LIVE! at American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp Quarter on 2026-12-19 at 7:00 PM.
Check website · 7pm
Civic Theatre · Downtown
Annual Nutcracker performance.
$45+ · 7pm
American Comedy Co. · Gaslamp Quarter
Desi Banks LIVE! at American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp Quarter on 2026-12-20 at 7:00 PM.
Check website · 7pm
Viejas Arena · College Area
Pentatonix live at Viejas Arena in San Diego on 2026-12-20.
Check website · See website for times
Civic Theatre · Downtown
Full production of the Nutcracker with live orchestra.
$40–$135 · 2pm
Port of San Diego
Check website · 8am
Port of San Diego
Check website · 8am
San Diego Convention Center · Downtown
New model showcase with test drives.
$16+ · 10am
San Diego Convention Center · Downtown
300+ new vehicles from 30+ manufacturers plus test tracks.
$14–$18 · 10am
Petco Park · East Village
Annual college football bowl game at Petco Park featuring top teams from the ACC and Big Ten.
$50–$250 · 5pm
Petco Park · East Village
Temper Festival with Zeds Dead, Crankdat, Levity, and more (18+) 2026 live at Petco Park in San Diego on 2026-12-30.
Check website · See website for times
Hotel del Coronado · Coronado
Beachfront gala with fireworks over Glorietta Bay.
$395+ · 7pm
American Comedy Co. · Gaslamp Quarter
NYE 2027 w/Pablo Francisco LIVE! at American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp Quarter on 2026-12-31 at 7:00 PM.
Check website · 7pm
Port of San Diego
Check website · 8:30am
Gaslamp Quarter · Gaslamp
Downtown NYE block parties and rooftop countdowns.
$60+ · 8pm
5th Avenue · Gaslamp
Downtown block party with countdown, DJs, and confetti drop.
$45–$150 · 8pm
San Diego Bay · Harbor
Luxury dinner cruise with open bar, live DJ, and front-row views of the midnight fireworks over the bay.
$175–$350 · 9pm
Waterfront Park · Downtown
Family-friendly fireworks over the bay.
Free · 9pm
Belly Up Tavern · Solana Beach
$59.50 · See website for times
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Written and fact-checked by the Sandi Spots Editorial team — San Diego residents publishing under Sleep Coast LLC. Every place we recommend has been visited in person or verified against an official source, and no business can pay for inclusion or a higher ranking. Last updated .