Top weekend activities in San Diego: Dec. 12-14

January 23, 2026 Post a Comment

Friday: A Variety of Holiday Activities

Christmas in the Park

This event, held at Old Poway Park, offers a range of holiday activities including food vendors, a craft boutique, live music, and a night-time train ride. On Friday, Santa's arrival and a tree lighting ceremony take place at 6 p.m. Tickets are required for visits with Santa.

When: 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway
Cost: $5

Ginger Minj’s Holiday Spectacular

Ginger Minj, winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10,” brings her holiday show to La Jolla. The event includes campy holiday songs, costumes, humor, and decor.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Where: Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla
Cost: $30-$80

“The Holiday” in concert

Experience the beloved movie “The Holiday” as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra plays along with the screening.

When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Cost: Starting at $54

Spring Valley Winter Fest

This family-friendly event features arts and crafts, games, and other activities.

When: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Spring Valley Community Center, 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley
Cost: Free

Coastal Christmas

For 10 days, the Del Mar Fairgrounds transforms into a holiday festival with light displays, a skating rink, a vendor market, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. There is also a wine walk for adults 21 years and older.

When: Select days from Friday through Dec. 26
Where: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
Cost: Starts at $26.98 for adults and $20.61 for children

Santa’s Sleigh Ride Parade

The city of Solana Beach hosts this parade featuring Santa riding with fire, sheriff’s, and Marine safety personnel.

When: 2:30 to 5 p.m. Friday
Where: Start and end at the Solana Beach Fire Station, 500 Lomas Santa Fe Drive
Map: cityofsolanabeach.org

Final performances of ‘Working Girl’

La Jolla Playhouse presents the final weekend of its world premiere musical based on the 1988 Melanie Griffith film.

When: 7:30 p.m. today; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla
Cost: $30-$139

Violist Marco Fusi performs Ti McCormack

Fusi will perform the U.S. premiere of UCSD faculty member McCormack’s 45-minute piece as well as new works by UCSD graduate composers.

When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Conrad Prebys Music Hall, 9410 Russell Lane, UCSD, La Jolla
Cost: $10-$20

Sacra/Profana presents “Immeasurably Bright, A Holiday Concert”

The choir shines a musical light in the darkest month of the year by creating uplifting sounds.

When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 3502 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont
Cost: $15-$40

“2 Pianos, 4 Hands”

North Coat Repertory Theatre presents this autobiographical comedy with music about two aspiring concert pianists.

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Where: 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach
Cost: $70.50

“89 Carson Junction Road”

Compulsion Dance & Theater presents a one-act play about an Army war veteran seeking answers and revenge.

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Diversionary Black Box Theater, 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego
Cost: $30

“IFs (Imaginary Friends)”

Trinity Theatre Company’s Grown Up Stage presents a play about Pippin, an imaginary friend whose human child has outgrown her.

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Mission Valley shopping center, Suite 129, 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego
Cost: $30

“Master Class”

The Roustabouts Theatre Company and Scripps Ranch Theatre co-present Terrence McNally’s play about Maria Callas coaching young singers.

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Legler Benbough Theatre, 783 Avenue of Nations, Allied International University, San Diego
Cost: $30-$52

“Rent”

New Village Arts presents an intimate staging of Jonathan Larson’s musical about one year in the life of a group of friends in 1990.

When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: 2787 State St., Carlsbad
Cost: $35-$80

Saturday: Continuing the Celebration

Regency Tea Party

Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with a tea party featuring Linda Miller, board member for the Jane Austen Society, San Diego Region.

When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Oceanside Civic Center Library, 330 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
Cost: Free

“Home Alone” in concert

Watch the Christmas classic “Home Alone” as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra plays along with the screening.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Cost: Starting at $65

Winter Extravaganza

Forty tons of snow will be produced for this event hosted by the City Heights Community Development Corporation.

When: Noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Teralta Park in City Heights, 4100 Central Ave., San Diego
Cost: Free

Holiday chocolates pop-up this weekend

French pastry chef Christophe Rull is bringing back artisan chocolatier Annaluna Karkar for another two-day holiday chocolates pop-up.

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: 251 N. City Drive, San Marcos
Link: instagram.com/christopherullpro

Poinsettia Paint and Sip

Follow along as an instructor gives step-by-step guidance on painting art inspired by the San Diego History Center’s poinsettia tree.

When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado, San Diego
Cost: $40 general admission, $30 for members

Winter Wonderland

A holiday festival is landing at Festival Park Market Creek Plaza as a coalition of neighbors, entertainers, and organizations are hosting the free community event.

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
Where: Festival Park Market Creek Plaza, 331 Euclid Ave., San Diego
Link: jacobscenter.org/events

Parfait Party

Parfait Party, an ice cream pop-up, is taking over Tajima Ramen in the Convoy District for a one-day holiday-themed dining experience.

When: 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: 4411 Mercury St. #110, San Diego
Contact: 858-278-5367, instagram.com/parfait.party.sd

Las Posadas

The Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce and Mormon Battalion Historic Site are presenting a recreation of Mary and Joseph’s story.

When: 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: La Plaza de Armas, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Cost: Free

Boostive’s Soul Shakedown

Moonshine Beach in Pacific Beach is hosting the musical event, Boostive’s Soul Shakedown.

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: 1165 Garnet Ave., San Diego
Link: moonshinebeachsd.com

Mission Bay Parade of Lights

The holiday boat parade takes off at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at SeaWorld with a fireworks kickoff.

When: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13
Where: SeaWorld
Link: discovermissionbay.org/boat-parade

Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights

The annual parade of boats decorated for the holidays with lights and ornaments, is from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 in the Oceanside Harbor.

Link: visitoceanside.org/events/parade-of-lights

Santa Run & parade

Pacific Beach holds its annual San Diego Santa Run on Saturday.

When: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. for the 5K Santa Run; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the Kid’s 1-mile run and 1-mile dog run
Where: 912 Garnet Ave.
Cost: $35-$55
Register: sandiegorunningco.com/sdrc_events/san-diego-santa-run

Holiday Pet Parade

The parade of dogs, cats, and other pets will take off under the iconic Gaslamp Quarter Archway.

When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Intersection of 5th Avenue and L Street
Event Details: The Pups in the Pub Party is from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Cost: $30 per pet
Link: gaslamp.org

Golden State Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

Choreographed by artistic director Raul Salamanca, the production will feature professional dancers and students and live accompaniment by musicians from the San Diego Symphony.

When: 7:30 p.m. today; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21
Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown
Cost: $58.40-$199.75
Link: goldenstateballet.org

Sunday: Finishing the Weekend

The Great Cookie Bake-Off & Swap

All of Pure Projects taprooms will host a cookie bake-off and swap.

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Pure Project locations in Vista, Carlsbad, North Park, Miramar, and Bankers Hill
Link: purebrewing.org/event/great-cookie-bake-off-swap

San Diego Seals home opener

San Diego’s professional indoor lacrosse team, the Seals, are hosting their 2025-2026 season home opener.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Pechana Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego
Cost: $21-$111
Link: sealslax.com

Holiday Celebration & Annual Holiday Sing-Along

Starting at 1:30 p.m., San Diego’s Civic Organist Raul Prieto Ramírez will lead an educational workshop.

When: 1:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: 1549 El Prado, Suite 10, San Diego
Link: spreckelsorgan.org

MCASD hosts winter market on Sunday

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla hosts its annual Winter MKT.

When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: 700 Prospect St., La Jolla
Cost: Free
Link: mcasd.org/events/winter-mkt-2025

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

For two Sundays in December, the San Diego Bay waters light up for the holidays.

When: 5:30 pm. Sunday and Dec. 21
Link: sdparadeoflights.org

North Coast Symphony presents “Holiday Harmonies”

The ensemble, with North Coast Singers youth choir, will perform works by Mendelssohn, Gershwin, Copland, José Elizondo, and Ching-Shan Chang.

When: 7 p.m. today; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: San Dieguito United Methodist, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas
Cost: $15-$18
Link: northcoastsymphony.com

“The Light of Hope Returning”

The Village Church’s 80-member Community Chorale presents folk, gospel, and bluegrass holiday vocal music.

When: 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe
Cost: $10-$20
Link: villagechurch.org

Cellist Bennett Tsai and pianist Rodolfo Leone

La Jolla Music Society presents these prize-winning musicians performing works by Haydn, Bloch, Barber, N. Boulanger, and Beethoven.

When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Where: Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla
Cost: $35-$70
Link: theconrad.org