If you’re in town during any holiday, check out all the things this city has to offer: romance, kid-friendly events, culture, and…well — just charm galore.
Holiday Events
- Big Night San Diego
- Category: Holiday Events
- Month: December
- Upcoming: December 31st, 2010
- Description: Always one of the most popular New Year's Eve events in San Diego, Big Night San Diego is an all inclusive event. In 2008, base ticket prices started at $109.00 and included drinks, an hors d'oeuvre buffet, discounted hotel rooms, twelve unique theme party areas including a Las Vegas Lounge, a Luau Lounge, Mardi Gras Zone, Retro, and Electronica to name a few. You name it and it's there. There will be twelve different party bands and DJ's, six dance floors, and a Midnight Celebration including party favors.
- Admission: $109.99
- Location: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA
- Phone: 619-291-2900
- Website: www.bignightsandiego.com
- Chinese New Year Celebration
- Category: Holiday Events
- Month: February
- Upcoming: TBA
- Description: The annual Chinese New Year Food & Cultural fair spans two days and sports a couple of stages featuring Chinese acrobats, lion dancers, Chinese folk dance and music, martial arts, and the Asian Story Theater. Located in the downtown Asian Pacific Historic District, the fair also includes Chinese crafts, Chinese calligraphy, and a children's activity area.
- Admission: Free
- Location: Third Avenue and J Street, San Diego, CA
- Phone: 619-398-7025
- Website: www.sandiegochinese.net
- Cinco de Mayo
- Category: Fairs and Festivals, Holiday Events
- Month: May
- Upcoming: May 5th, 2011
- Description: With its proximity to Mexico, San Diego is a natural for putting on a great Cinco de Mayo party, and from downtown to Old Town, Fiesta Cinco de Mayo offers a celebration of Latino arts, culture, history and diversity. With several stages featuring live Mariachi music, lots of street color including native dress and dance, activities center mostly around Old Town State Historic Park, although this holiday is celebrated throughout San Diego and admission is free.
- Admission: Free
- Location: Old Town, San Diego, CA
- Phone: 619-291-4903
- Website: www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com
- December Nights in Balboa Park
- Category: Holiday Events
- Month: December
- Upcoming: TBA
- Description: December Nights is one of Balboa Park's premiere holiday events featuring light displays, entertainment, food, movies, dance, kid festivities and much more. The 2008 two-day event attracted more than 325,000 visitors to the Park.
- Admission: Free
- Location: Balboa Park, San Diego, CA
- Phone: 619-239-0512
- Website: www.balboapark.org/decembernights/
- Del Mar Scare Grounds
- Category: Holiday Events
- Month: October
- Upcoming: TBA
- Description: 'Screem Zone' at the Del Mar Scare Grounds is one of the scariest haunted houses in San Diego. With a total of three attractions - the Haunted Hayride, the House of Horror, and the Chamber, Screem Zone has something for every age.
- Admission: Check Website
- Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA
- Phone: 858-755-1161
- Website: www.sdfair.com
- Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
- Category: Holiday Events
- Month: November, December
- Upcoming: TBA
- Description: Balboa Park's Old Globe theater makes an annual production of this classic Dr. Seuss book, America's favorite holiday fable.
- Admission: Check Website
- Location: Old Globe Theater, 1363 Old Globe Way San Diego, CA
- Phone: 619-23-GLOBE
- Website: www.theoldglobe.org
- El Cajon Oktoberfest
- Category: Fairs and Festivals, Holiday Events
- Month: October
- Upcoming: TBA
- Description: Hosted by the German American Societies of San Diego, the two-weekend festival El Cajon Oktoberfest includes authentic German food, and a fantastic selection of German beers and liquors. In fact, authentic is the name of the game, as the entertainment is also frequently direct from Germany, performing music you would hear in the beer gardens there. The event includes a keg tapping ceremony, authentic German food, pastries, soft drinks, beer and liquor, live music and folk dancing, children's activities, crafts vendors and assorted entertainers.
- Admission: $5
- Location: 1017 S. Mollison Ave. El Cajon, CA
- Phone: 619-442-6637
- Website: www.germanclubsandiego.org
- First Night Escondido
- Category: Holiday Events
- Month: December
- Upcoming: December 31st, 2010
- Description: First Night Escondido is North County's New Year's Eve 'Celebration for Families!' It's held in historic Grape Day Park, Escondido City Hall and the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Each year there are 12 stages of music and dance, the best of restaurant and vendor foods, hands-on art activities, and two dazzling fireworks displays. There is always a Chinese Dragon Parade starting at City Hall at 9pm and fireworks at both 9pm and midnight.
- Admission: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
- Location: Grape Day Park, Escondido City Hall and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, CA
- Phone: 760-715-4448
- Website: www.firstnightescondido.com
- Halloween Family Day
- Category: Holiday Events
- Month: October
- Upcoming: TBA
- Description: Celebrate Halloween with a mystery train scavenger hunt, a costume contest, ghost stories and delicious (but scary) snacks at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum.
- Admission: Check Website
- Location: Model Railroad Museum, San Diego, CA
- Phone: 619-696-0199
- Website: www.sdmrm.org
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade
- Category: Parades, Holiday Events
- Month: January
- Upcoming: January 7th, 2011
- Description: San Diego annually commemorates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a downtown parade and festival. The parade starts on the east side of Petco Park at 13th and Imperial, and traverses north along Park Boulevard to J Street. Then it heads west to Seventh, turns south on Seventh and ends at the west side of Petco Park. A multicultural festival features live entertainment, food, and exhibits from community organizations.
- Admission: Free
- Location: Martin Luther King Jr Promenade, 111 West Harbor Drive San Diego, CA
Page 1 of 2
