A local's calendar, San Diego County
December in San Diego County
Tree lightings and parades fill the first two weekends, Coastal Christmas opens at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on the 11th, and the lights keep going into January. Listed day by day, with the city above each event so you can find what is close to home.
This Month, Day by Day
0 eventsCarlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Escondido, Vista and San Marcos first, then the bigger county events that are worth a drive. Several holiday attractions run all month, so they appear on the day they start. Carlsbad Village, Encinitas and Escondido had not posted 2026 parade dates when this page was updated, and they get added as soon as they do.
Carlsbad · Runs All Month
The 2026 Cannon Biennial Exhibition: “everywhere home”
Through Sunday, Jan 3
A curated group show where local artists explore what it means to feel at home. It is on view at the city’s gallery all month, which makes it an easy rainy-day stop.
William D. Cannon Art Gallery, 1775 Dove Lane · carlsbadca.gov/arts
Worth the Drive · Balboa Park · Runs All Month
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe
Through Thursday, Dec 31
The Old Globe’s holiday musical, with “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and the rest. Tickets go fast in December, so buying early helps.
The Old Globe, Balboa Park · theoldglobe.org
Encinitas · Runs All Month
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
Through Sunday, Jan 3 · select evenings, starting at 5 pm
A walking trail of lit-up gardens, now in its fifth season here. It runs on select evenings, mostly Thursday through Sunday, with extra dates around the holidays. Tickets start at $28 for adults and $18 for kids, and prices change by date.
San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr. · lightscapeus.com
Worth the Drive · Ramona · Runs Through Dec 13
Christmas at the Barn Pop-Up
Through Sunday, Dec 13 · Wed to Sat 10 am to 4 pm, Sun 11 am to 3 pm
A holiday shopping pop-up in a country barn setting at Ramona Town Hall. Free to walk through.
Ramona Town Hall, 729 Main St. · kpbs.org
Escondido
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
The long-running holiday concert comes to the California Center for the Arts. Ticket prices are on the venue site.
California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. · kpbs.org
Oceanside
Holiday Tree Lighting and Holiday Sunset Market
Thursday, 5 to 9 pm
Downtown Oceanside lights its tree on a market night, so you can shop and see the lights in one stop.
401 Mission Ave. · visitoceanside.org
Oceanside · Every Thursday
Weekly Holiday Gift Market
Thursdays, Dec 3 to Dec 31 · 5 to 9 pm
Local vendors set up downtown each Thursday through the end of the month. Hours can shift the week of Christmas, so check the day before.
MainStreet Oceanside, 701 Mission Ave. · kpbs.org
Oceanside
Holiday Oceanside Art Walk
Friday, 4 to 8 pm
The First Friday-style art walk gets a holiday theme, with galleries and studios open downtown.
101 Mission Ave. · visitoceanside.org
Oceanside
15th Annual Christmas Concert and Sing-Along
Friday, Dec 4 at 7 pm · encore Saturday, Dec 5 at 2 pm
A holiday concert at the historic mission where the audience sings along. Seats run $50 to $70.
Mission San Luis Rey, 4050 Mission Ave. · visitoceanside.org
Worth the Drive · Coronado
Coronado Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
Friday, Listed all day · confirm the parade time
Coronado’s small-town parade and tree lighting at Rotary Park. The listing gives no start time, so check with the city before you cross the bridge.
Rotary Park, 1002 Orange Ave. · sandiego.org
Worth the Drive · Balboa Park
December Nights
Friday, Dec 4, 4 to 10 pm · Saturday, Dec 5, noon to 10 pm
The city’s big free holiday festival, with the Balboa Park museums open, music, food and crowds of lights. This year’s headliner is Clay Aiken.
Balboa Park · sandiego.gov
Carlsbad
Holiday at the Rancho
Saturday, 5 to 8 pm · tree lighting at 6 pm
An evening of twinkling lights, live music, crafts, cookie decorating and train rides, plus a movie under the stars and a visit from Santa. Tickets are $15 per person, and kids 3 and under are free but need to be registered online.
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane · parking at Carrillo Elementary, 2875 Poinsettia Lane · carlsbadca.gov
San Marcos
Tree Lighting and Holiday Market
Saturday, 1 to 7 pm · tree lighting at 6 pm
The city’s holiday market runs all afternoon and finishes with the tree lighting. Santa photos and kids’ crafts are free.
San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Dr. · sanmarcosca.gov
Vista
68th Annual Vista Christmas Parade
Saturday, 1 pm · confirm with the Vista Chamber
This year’s theme is “Candyland Dreams.” The chamber page lists the date without a year, so confirm before you stake out a curb spot.
Downtown Vista · vistachamber.org
Escondido
Winter Wonderland
Saturday and Sunday, Dec 5 and 6 · 1 to 5 pm
A free winter family event at the arts center.
California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. · sandiego.org
Oceanside
4th Annual Irish Christmas with Blindfold Monks
Saturday, 7 pm
A Celtic-rock holiday night at the Pour House. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Eventbrite lists an 8 pm start, so confirm the time.
Pour House, 1903 S. Coast Hwy. · visitoceanside.org
Oceanside
KSON Country Christmas
Saturday, 7 pm
A country holiday concert led by Max McNown.
Frontwave Arena, 3475 Hero Dr. · visitoceanside.org
Carlsbad
LEGOLAND California Christmas Bricktacular
Dec 5 and 6, Dec 12 and 13, then Dec 19 to 31 · check legoland.com for hours
Holiday decor, a 35-foot LEGO tree and fireworks on select nights, all inside the park. The park lists its December event days without a year, so check the site before you buy tickets.
LEGOLAND California Resort, Carlsbad · legoland.com
Worth the Drive · Ocean Beach
OB Holiday Parade
Saturday, 5 pm
The quirky beach-town night parade down Newport Avenue.
Newport Ave., Ocean Beach · sandiego.org
Worth the Drive · Little Italy
Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village
Saturday, 4 to 8 pm · tree lighting at 6:30 pm
A street village on India Street with the tree lighting in the plaza.
Piazza della Famiglia, 2210 Columbia St. · sandiego.org
Worth the Drive · La Jolla
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Sunday, Parade at 1 pm · festival 1 to 5 pm
The 70th year of the village parade, followed by a festival at the recreation center.
Girard Ave. and Kline St. · festival at La Jolla Recreation Center · kpbs.org
Solana Beach
Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree Lighting
Sunday, 4:30 pm · Santa arrives by fire truck around 5:20 pm
The 21st annual tree lighting at the oceanfront park.
Fletcher Cove Park, Solana Beach · cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov
Del Mar
North Pole by the Sea
Sunday, 1 to 5 pm
Downtown Del Mar’s holiday afternoon, with the tree lighting at Jim Watkins Amphitheater.
Del Mar Village · sandiego.org
Oceanside
Star Theatre Co. presents Annie, Jr.
Thursday, 7:30 pm
A youth production at the historic Star Theatre.
Historic Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Hwy. · visitoceanside.org
Del Mar · Opens Dec 11
Coastal Christmas at Del Mar Fairgrounds
Opens Friday, Dec 11 · 4 to 9 pm · Holiday Light Trail opens at dusk
A light trail, holiday village, skating and Santa visits by the sea. Promo nights include Community Night on Dec 17, Military Night on Dec 20 (free with military ID) and Kids Free Night on Dec 21. Tickets are sold in advance through the event site.
Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. · coastalchristmasdelmar.com
Oceanside
SnowSide Winter Festival
Friday to Sunday, Dec 11 to 13 · Friday 5 to 9 pm
A three-day winter festival at the PierClub and Emerald Isle Golf Course. The listing gives hours for Friday only.
660 S. El Camino Real · visitoceanside.org
Oceanside
Boat Rides with Santa
Saturday, 11 am to 3 pm
A short harbor boat ride with Santa. It costs $5 per person, $3 for ages 2 and under, reservations are required, and proceeds go to Oceanside Rotary.
256 Harbor Dr. South · visitoceanside.org
Oceanside
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Saturday, 7 to 9 pm
Lighted boats cruise the harbor after dark. Watch from the harbor walkways. The listing does not state a cost.
Oceanside Harbor · visitoceanside.org
Worth the Drive · San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Sundays, Dec 13 and Dec 20 · starts at 5:30 pm
The 56th year of decorated boats parading around the bay, free to watch from the shoreline. The route runs from Shelter Island and Harbor Island past the Embarcadero toward Coronado.
San Diego Bay · sdparadeoflights.org
Oceanside
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Sunday, 4:30 to 8 pm
Acrobats and magic set to holiday music.
Frontwave Arena, 3475 Hero Dr. · visitoceanside.org
Solana Beach
Holiday Tree Lighting at La Colonia
Sunday, 5 to 7 pm · Santa arrives around 5:20 pm
A smaller neighborhood tree lighting with Santa. The city page mixes up the weekday, but December 13, 2026 is a Sunday.
La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave. · cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov
Oceanside
Candlelight: Christmas Classics
Friday, 6:15 pm · about 60 minutes
A candlelit concert of holiday favorites, for ages 8 and up. Tickets are sold through the event site.
Star Theatre, 402 N. Coast Hwy. · visitoceanside.org
Escondido
San Diego Zoo Safari Park Wild Holidays
Open until 8 pm on Dec 18 to 23 and Dec 26 to 31
Evening hours at the Safari Park during the holidays. It is included with park admission or membership.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido · sdzsafaripark.org
Worth the Drive · Balboa Park
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo
Dec 19 to Jan 3 · closed Dec 24 · activities mostly 3 to 8 pm
Evening holiday lights and shows at the zoo, included with zoo admission or membership.
San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park · zoo.sandiegozoo.org
Escondido
The Nutcracker, City Ballet of San Diego
Dec 19, 22 and 23 at 2 pm · confirm any extra dates
The classic holiday ballet in the Concert Hall. Tickets are sold through City Ballet of San Diego.
California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. · cityballet.org
Oceanside
Holiday Mini Makers Market
Saturday, 10 am to noon
A small maker market at the Oceanside Art Collective.
Oceanside Art Collective, 427 S. Coast Hwy. · kpbs.org
North County Farmers Markets
Handy to have in one place. Hours shift in winter and around Christmas and New Year's, so confirm with the market before you drive.
Monday
- Escondido3 to 7 pm8860 Lawrence Welk Dr.
Tuesday
- Escondido (downtown)2:30 to 6 pm, October through MayHeritage Garden Park, 121 N. Juniper St.
Wednesday
- Carlsbad (State Street)Starts 2:30 pm, closes earlier in winterState St. between Grand Ave. and Carlsbad Village Dr.
- Encinitas Station4 to 7 pm, October through April600 S. Vulcan Ave.
Thursday
- Oceanside Farmers Market9 am to 1 pmPier View Way & Hwy 101
- Oceanside Sunset Market5 to 9 pmCoast Hwy & Pier View Way
Saturday
- Cardiff10 am to 2 pmMiraCosta College San Elijo, 3333 Manchester Ave.
Sunday
- Leucadia / Encinitas10 am to 2 pm185 Union St.
- Sikes Adobe (San Pasqual Valley)10:30 am to 3:30 pmEscondido area
Vista, San Marcos and Fallbrook also have markets that were not confirmed for this list. The full county list is at sdfarmbureau.org.
Still Going Into January
Worth putting in your calendar now if you want to see them after the holidays.
- Through Jan 3Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas, select evenings
- Through Jan 3Cannon Biennial Exhibition, William D. Cannon Art Gallery, Carlsbad
- Through Jan 3Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo, closed Dec 24
- Through Jan 3LEGOLAND California Christmas Bricktacular, Carlsbad, check the park calendar for open days
Questions People Ask
The short answers.
What is happening in Carlsbad this December?
Holiday at the Rancho is Saturday, December 5, from 5 to 8 pm at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, with a tree lighting at 6 pm, train rides, cookie decorating and a movie under the stars. Tickets are $15 per person. The Cannon Biennial Exhibition at the William D. Cannon Art Gallery runs through January 3, and the LEGOLAND California Christmas Bricktacular runs on select days from December 5 through the end of the month.
When are the Christmas tree lightings and parades in North County in December 2026?
Oceanside lights its downtown tree on Thursday, December 3. Saturday, December 5 has the San Marcos Tree Lighting and Holiday Market, the Vista Christmas Parade at 1 pm, and Holiday at the Rancho in Carlsbad. Solana Beach holds the Fletcher Cove tree lighting on Sunday, December 6 and a second one at La Colonia on Sunday, December 13. The Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights is Saturday, December 12. Carlsbad Village, Encinitas and Escondido had not posted 2026 parade dates when this page was last updated, so check their sites.
Where can I see holiday lights near North County San Diego?
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas runs on select evenings through January 3. Coastal Christmas at the Del Mar Fairgrounds opens Friday, December 11. San Diego Zoo Safari Park Wild Holidays keeps evening hours on December 18 to 23 and December 26 to 31, and Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo starts December 19. The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is Sunday, December 13 and Sunday, December 20.
What free things can we do in San Diego County in December 2026?
December Nights at Balboa Park is free on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5. The La Jolla Christmas Parade is free on Sunday, December 6, as are the Fletcher Cove tree lighting and North Pole by the Sea in Del Mar. Escondido's Winter Wonderland at the California Center for the Arts is free on December 5 and 6, and the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is free to watch. Check each host for parking costs.
Is anything planned for military families in North County this December?
Coastal Christmas at the Del Mar Fairgrounds has a Military Night on Sunday, December 20, free with a military ID. Toys for Tots takes toy and donation drop-offs through Thursday, December 24, including at the 4th LAR BN at 100 Nelson Rd. in Oceanside, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Know about something that belongs on this list?
If there is an event in Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas, Vista or San Marcos that should be here, send it over and it goes in next month's roundup.
And if part of what you love about a neighborhood is the stuff happening in it, that is usually worth talking about before you decide where to buy. Happy to set up a private home search site filtered to the areas and price range that fit, so new listings come to you instead of the other way around.
Kyle@BuyOrSellSoCal.com
Lauren@BuyOrSellSoCal.com
Buy Or Sell SoCal Homes
Dates and times come from the event organizers and do change. Check the event site before you head out, especially for anything ticketed. Calendar last updated November 8, 2026.
