Okay…now. Thanksgiving dinner’s been digested so it’s the calendar-appropriate time to focus on all the holiday events happening in December in downtown San Diego. This is your ultimate urban list–whether you like to eat, shop, ice skate, watch plays, movies or musicals, celebrate the lighting of trees, do a parade with pets or gaze out into the bay at bedazzled boats. Plan ahead for happy holidays.
DECEMBER 1
Balboa December Nights. The city’s largest holiday festival at Balboa Park. Offering foodie fun and a family-friendly setting. Expect mega crowds. December 1 & 2. Free. More info
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. “You’re a mean one…” for not considering this classic musical show at The Old Globe. Showing now through December 31. Tix: $89-$99 (sellouts are common) More info
Rady’s Children Ice Rink. Show your SoCal kids what ice skating is at the rink at Central Promenade at Liberty Station. Open now through January 7. Tix: $20 adults; $14 for kids. More info
Jingle Jets. New at the USS Midway Museum through December 23, the mighty warship will be transformed by festive lights, with a Naval aviation twist. Tix: $25; discounts for kids. More info
Winter Wonderland Fashion Show. A one-time benefit luncheon, shopping boutique and seasonal haute couture show at The US Grant Hotel. Tix: $125 & up. More info
Rooftop Cinema Club. The last open-air movie screenings of the year atop the Manchester Grand Hyatt are holiday themed. Now through December 23, see Elf, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and (yes) Die Hard. More info
DECEMBER 2
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village. The Piazza della Famiglia (West Date Street) is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. The tree lights up at 6:30 p.m. Free. More info
Makers Arcade Holiday Fair. More than 140 small-batch makers set up on Broadway Pier on December 2 & 3. Beer and cocktails available for shoppers. Tix: $6-7. More info
Selfies with Santa. Mr. Claus will be hanging out at Seaport Village and will be available for selfies from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out Santa’s Workshop near Geppetto’s Toys. Free. More info
Selfies with Buddy the Elf. After Santa goes back to his workshop, you can still visit Seaport Village for hipster doofus selfies with Buddy the Elf from 2 to 5 p.m. Free. More info
DECEMBER 7
Gaslamp Holiday Artisan Market. A school night chance to roam the Gaslamp Quarter for handcrafted gifts. Live music, Santa, a mini-golf pop-up and more. Also happening December 14 & 21. Free. More info
DECEMBER 9
East Village Tree Lighting & Holiday Market. Live music, food, shopping opps, an appearance by the white-bearded guy and a tree illumination at 5:45 p.m. Quartyard and 13th Street. More info
DECEMBER 10
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This annual boat parade at night on the San Diego Bay is a tradition that lines the shores with upward of 100,000 spectators. Starts at 5:30 p.m. December 10 & 17. Free. More info
Jingle–The Super Gay Sing Along. The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus opens its 39th season with a holiday-feels show at Balboa Theatre (3 p.m.). Tix: $31.50 & up. More info
DECEMBER 15
Noel Noel. This three-day tour de force holiday music program at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park features San Diego’s Symphony Orchestra, Master Chorale and Children’s Choir. December 15-17. Tix: $22-$98. More info
Golden State Ballet Presents The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s classic score comes to the San Diego Civic Theatre for select showings from December 15-24. Tix: $25-$129. More info
DECEMBER 16
Gaslamp Pet Parade & Pups in the Pub Party. Pets are the stars as they “deck the paws” as a doggie-and-kitty parade is unleashed at the Gaslamp Quarter Archway Sign at 1 p.m. To be eligible for prizes, register pets for $25. More info
San Diego Santa Bar Crawl. Sign up at start point Whiskey Girl and join the sea of red-nosed Santas stumbling from pub to pub. Tip off at 8 p.m. Tix: $26 (discounts available). More info
DECEMBER 22
Las Posadas: A Traditional Mexican Christmas Celebration. The story of the birth of Jesus, sung with American holiday classics and traditional Mexican carols. 7:30 p.m. at Balboa Theatre. Tix: $21.50-$71.50. More info
DECEMBER 27
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade. A mega-collection of balloons joins floats, marching bands and big cheering crowds along Harbor Drive. Starts at 10 a.m. Free. More info
DirecTV Holiday Bowl. San Diego’s postseason collegiate football game held at Petco Park. Teams from ACC and Pac-12 conferences TBD. Followed by 101.5 KGB Sky Show fireworks spectacular. More info
