Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, San Diego. From seasonal festivals and performances to festive events, the holiday season in America’s Finest City is truly magical.

Gather family and friends and celebrate what makes this time of year special with this guide featuring 70+ events.

San Diegans — ourselves included — have been waiting all year for December Nights at Balboa Park. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

🎉 Festivals

Holiday in the Village in La Mesa. | Photo via CeCe Canton Photography

Holiday in the Village | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 12-9 p.m. | Downtown La Mesa | Free | Live music, craft vendors, food, holiday photo opportunities, and a zone for the kids “bigger than Santa’s Toy Shop” will line La Mesa Boulevard between Spring and Fourth streets for this community fest.

Little Italy sure is jolly this time of year. | Photo via Little Italy Association

Little Italy Tree Lighting + Christmas Village | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 4-8 p.m. | Piazza della Famiglia | Free | Ring in the season with the lighting of the community's 25-ft artsy "Aurora" tree, live music, seasonal vendors, holiday treats, and a visit from the jolly guy himself.

Little Italy is so festive this time of year. | Photo via Little Italy Association

The Del during the holiday season is so magical. | Photo via Hotel del Coronado

Holiday Festival | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 2-9 p.m. | Hotel del Coronado | Free; Skating by the Sea required admission | Catch a grand entrance by “Skydiving Santa,” performances from local Coronado students, photos with St. Nick, ice skating, the “All That Jazz” lightshow (5-9 p.m.), and festive fireworks at 6:45 p.m.

Christmas in the Park | Friday, Dec. 8 + Saturday, Dec. 9 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. + 3:30-8:30 p.m. | Old Poway Park | Free | Step back in time for this old-fashioned holiday tradition complete with caroling, model train displays, crafts for kids, and visits with Santa. Pro tip: Park at Poway City Hall on Civic Center Drive or Poway Adult School on Twin Peaks Road and take a free shuttle to and from the event.

“A Very Furry Christmas” is happening this season at the theme park in Chula Vista. | Photo via Sesame Place San Diego

🎄Holiday events

SD’s Seasonal Ice Rinks | Dates vary | Times vary | Viejas Ice Skating Rink; Rady Children’s Ice Rink; Skating by the Sea; Glice Rink | Prices vary | Glide over to this guide to festive ice rinks in San Diego County that you can’t miss this season; most run through Jan. 7, 2024.

Holiday Pop-up Bars | Dates, times, and locations vary | Prices of menu items vary | From Miracle at Draft to Sippin' Santa at Lime in the Coconut and The Grass Skirt, several festive bars have popped up across SD offering themed cocktails and major merrymaking.

Skating in a beachfront wonderland. | Photo via Hotel del Coronado

Winter Wonder | Saturday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Dec. 31 | Opens daily at 11 a.m. | Belmont Park | Free | The Mission Beach landmark goes festive with special entertainment, holiday treats, and 1+ million holiday lights. Pro tip: Snag a seat at Draft for the Miracle pop-up bar.

Belmont Park is a festive wonderland now through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. | Photo via Belmont Park

Pine Creek: Camp Christmas | 8668 Pine Creek Rd. | Friday, Nov. 17-Saturday, Dec. 23 (select nights) | 5:30-9 p.m. | $15 | Make your way to the local mountain campground for this holiday extravaganza featuring hayrides, bounce houses, games, food, and light shows set to festive music.

Holidays at LEGOLAND | Saturday, Nov. 18-Sunday Jan. 7 | Select days, times vary | Included with admission | Build memories: Meet and greets with holiday characters and a 30-ft Christmas tree made entirely of LEGOs are must-sees here.

The holiday celebration at LEGOLAND California Resort. | Photo via LEGOLAND California Resort

Otay Ranch Town Center's tree features 17,000+ lights. | Photo via Otay Ranch Town Center

The Rady Children's Ice Rink welcomed 40,000+ skaters in 2022. | Photo via Rady Children's Ice Rink

Wild Holidays | Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Dec. 31 (select nights) | Open until 8 p.m. | Included with admission | San Diego Zoo Safari Park | The Escondido attraction twinkles with seasonal lights, special entertainment, and festive areas like the Forest of Color and Enchanted Lagoon.

December Nights at One Paseo | Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec. 23 (every Friday + Saturday) | 5-7 p.m. | One Paseo | The shopping hub’s Plaza West area transforms into a winter wonderland featuring “snow,” pretty lights, and seasonal fun.

Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 2-5 p.m. | Adams Avenue | $35 | Celebrate Small Business Saturday with this 21+ self-guided walk along 25 independently-owned retail shops in the neighborhood while enjoying themed cocktail tasters and sweet treats.

Surfin’ Santa | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 1-5 p.m. | Seaport Village | Free | Decked out in board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, this SoCal-style Santa will arrive by watercraft — no less — to kick off the holiday season at the landmark. Expect a parade down the boardwalk, "snow" at Malibu Farm, and photos with Santa on his surfboard.

Surfin’ Santa is coming to town. | Photo via 3PIXstudios

Holidays at the Grand | Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Select dates, times vary | Fairmont Grand Del Mar | Prices vary by activity | The luxe resort's holiday offerings include its Glice Skating Rink, visits with Santa, wreath and cookie decorating workshops, and holiday tea service.

Makers Arcade Holiday Fair returns to Broadway Pier on Saturday, Dec. 2 + Sunday, Dec. 3. | Photo via Let's Frolic Together

Gingerbread House Experience | Friday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 31 | Rancho Bernardo Inn | During normal hotel business hours | Free | Head to the hotel lobby to check out a giant, edible house of candy made by The Inn’s bakers and pastry chefs. The creation boasts 4,000-pounds of ingredients including 1,000-pounds of sugar, 400-pounds of candy, 240-pounds of eggs, and 128 pounds of molasses.

The enormous gingerbread house in the lobby of the Rancho Bernardo Inn is a sight to behold. | Photo via Rancho Bernardo Inn

The holiday celebration at LEGOLAND California Resort. | Photo via LEGOLAND California Resort

San Marcos Tree Lighting | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 2-7 p.m. | San Marcos Civic Center | Free | This North County celebration will feature family-friendly activities, photos with Santa (2-5 p.m.), and vendors selling handmade goodies and snacks. The tree lighting is at 5:35 p.m., sharp.

Don’t miss this tree at the end of Crystal Pier in PB. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

The Chabads of downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach will lead this celebration at Liberty Station on Thursday, Dec. 7. | Photo via Liberty Station

Hanukkah + Menorah Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5 p.m. | Liberty Station, Central Promenade | Free | The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach partner with Liberty Station to celebrate the start of Hanukkah at this dazzling ceremony that includes music, snacks, and crafts.

Jungle Bells | Saturday, Dec. 9-Monday, Jan. 1 | 3:30-8 p.m. | San Diego Zoo | Included with zoo admission or membership | Enjoy festive entertainment — from Reindeer Games to The Tinseltones — plus glimmering lights, treats, and the "Aurora" show featuring live performers and 3D video projections.

Don't miss this East Village shindig at Quartyard. | Photo via Quartyard

East Village Tree Lighting & Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 3-7 p.m. | Quartyard | Free | Peruse a curated holiday market featuring hand-crafted gifts while enjoying live music, food vendors, activities for the kids, and a tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m.

This waterfront holiday tradition is just so San Diego. | Photo via Marv Sloben

Hanukkah Under the Stars takes place at Mission Valley mall on Tuesday, Dec. 12. | Photo via @experiencemissionvalley

A Jingle Belle Cruise along Mission Bay sure sounds jolly. | Photo via Evans Hotels

Holiday Curated: The Female Maker Market | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Liberty Public Market | Shop small and local via 20+ female-owned businesses while enjoying an "Elf on the Shelf" hunt throughout the market.

Jingle Belle Family Cruise | Thursday, Dec. 21-Monday, Dec. 25 | Times vary | Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel, Mission Bay | $45 | This festive, family-friendly cruise along Mission Bay features carolers, photos with Santa, and cookie decorating; a portion of proceeds benefits Mama's Kitchen. SDtoday readers get $10 off with the code SD10.

Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade | Wednesday, Dec. 27 | 10 a.m. | North Harbor Drive, between Maritime Museum and Ruocco Park | Free | The year-end tradition returns with magnificent floats, marching brands, drill teams, and merry energy via this route along the downtown waterfront.

The Sons of Pitches: Cathryn Wake, George Abud, Bill Buell, Orville Mendoza, and Jacque Wilke in “Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show,” 2021. | Photo by Jim Cox

🎻 Holiday performances

"Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" is back at The Old Globe. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

The San Diego Opera's festive show, "El Milagro del Recuerdo." | Photo via San Diego Opera

Carols by Candlelight | Friday, Dec. 8 | 8-10:45 p.m. | California Center for the Arts, Escondido | $27+ | Multi-platinum recording artist Deana Carter ("Strawberry Wine") leads this glimmering concert with Charlie Worsham, Back to the Garden, and Steve and Anna Vaus.

"Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" will roll into the San Diego Civic Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 28. | Photo via Matt Christine Photography

"Million Dollar Quartet" | Monday, Dec. 11 + Tuesday, Dec. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre | $32+ | Inspired by its namesake hit musical, this show pulls from Christmases past to weave together the lives and sounds of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley.

The San Diego Symphony's "Noel Noel" show returns to The Rady Shell Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 17. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

San Diego Ballet Presents "The Nutcracker" | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 1 + 5 p.m. | The Magnolia | $45+ | The company’s annual production of the holiday classic features 100+ costumed dancers — from sugar plum fairies to snowflakes — performing to Tchaikovsky’s epic score.

"The Nightmare Before Christmas" in Concert | Saturday, Dec. 23 | 6 p.m. | The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park | $22+ | Watch Tim Burton's beloved classic on the big screens as the San Diego Symphony performs Grammy Award-winning composer Danny Elfman's musical score live.

Lighscape is returning to the San Diego Botanic Garden — bigger and brighter than ever. | Photo via Lighscape

✨ Light displays

Jingle Jets | Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec. 23 | USS Midway Museum | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | $18-$25 | The aircraft carrier decked out for the holidays — from bow to stern — with thousands of twinkling lights. Pro tip: Visit on a Thursday for discounted admission; kids under 5 get in free.

USS Midway Museum is all decked out for the season for its Jingle Jets light show. | Photo via Michael Beausoleil + SDtoday

Starlight Circle | After Thanksgiving-Christmas Day | Starts at dusk | East + West Glendon Circles, Santee | Free | Dozens of homes decked out in lights and themes — and on weekends, some residents set up stands with hot cocoa, cookies, and kettle corn for sale. You walk through the neighborhood or drive slowly.

Starlight Circle in Santee really gets into the spirit of the holidays. | Photo via Monica Garske + SDtoday

Christmas on Knob Hill | Friday, Nov. 24-Saturday, Dec. 30 | 5-9 p.m. | 1639 Knob Hill Rd., San Marcos | Free | Powering up for the holidays since 1988, this North County display features 85,000+ lights, dozens of festive figurines and, sometimes, a visit from Santa Claus.

Candy Cane Lane | After Thanksgiving-Christmas Day | Starts at dusk | Hickory Street, Poway | The ultimate place to see holiday lights and get into the spirit in Poway.

Lights at the Lakes | Friday, Dec. 1-Thursday, Dec. 28 (select dates) | 5:45-8 p.m. | Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve | $20-$30 | Load your family and friends into the car and take a slow drive through this glimmering light show at the lakes with displays synchronized to holiday songs that you can listen along to from your car radio.

The Spirit of San Diego will sail on NYE. | Photo via Annual Yacht Parties

🥂NYE celebrations

MEGA Noon Year Celebration | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | $30-$120 | Plunge San Diego | Early birds, this one’s for you: Belmont Park’s indoor pool will host this kid-friendly, daytime NYE party featuring a balloon drop, floating obstacle course, drinks, and more. Bring your bathing suit.

The Monte Carlo NYE casino cruise boards from the Bahia Resort and Catamaran Resort in Mission Bay. | Photo via Evans Hotels

Monte Carlo New Year’s Eve Party Casino Cruise | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m.-1 a.m. | $75 | Mission Bay, boarding from Bahia Resort or Catamaran Resort hotels | Ring in 2024 aboard the William D. Evans sternwheeler while enjoying casino tables, live entertainment, drinks, and spectacular views of Mission Bay. SDtoday readers get $10 off with the code SD10.

Salsa and bachata dancing will help you usher in 2024 at Queen Bee's in North Park. | Photo via Queen Bee's Art and Cultural Center

NYE 2024 | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center | $20+ | Usher in 2024 with salsa and bachata dancing at the events center that recently celebrated its 15th anniversary. The night includes DJs and a performance by Hector Rivera y Su Orquestra at 10:30 p.m.

The Guild Hotel is going to party like it's 1924 as it rings in 2024. | Photo via The Guild Hotel

New Year’s Eve Party | Sunday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | Barleymash | Cost of cover | The downtown hot spot will host a poppin’ NYE party with a “champagne wall” and bottle service options. Pro tip: Pre-pay for cover, make reservations, and skip the line by emailing whitney@barleymash.com.