December 1 – 17
North Pole Limited Santa Train
Celebrate the holidays aboard the North Pole Limited for a 90-minute holiday ride. Santa’s Elves will serve cookies and hot chocolate, lead a sing-along of traditional Christmas carols and read a famous Christmas train story as the Limited rockets toward the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop where Santa Claus will board the train and visit with all the children. The Elves invite the children to wear their pajamas and dress warmly. Ride Times: 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm or 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm according to date. Location: Pacific SouthWest Railway Museum, Hwy 94 & Forrest Gate Rd., Campo For more information visit www.psrm.org |
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December 2
Coronado Christmas Parade
Santa arrives by ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing. A festive parade along Orange Avenue follows. Santa lights the 75-foot star pine Christmas tree located in the center of town as the community band plays holiday music. Snow Mountain is open from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. The evening finishes with 2 concerts at 2 different locations. Time: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Location: Ferry Landing Marketplace, Coronado For more information visit www.coronadovisitorcenter.com |
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December 2
Annual Lemon Grove Community Bonfire
The City of Lemon Grove will be celebrating the holiday season by providing free family fun for everyone. Along with the bonfire there will be games, face painting, laser tag, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and free refreshments. Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Location: Civic Center Park, 3200 Main St. (Olive & Church) For more information visit www.ci.lemon-grove.ca.us |
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December 2-3
Balboa Park December Nights
Balboa Park holiday extravaganza featuring two days of light displays, musical & dance presentations, plus shopping, and holiday food & spirits. Participating museums will be free to the public from 5:00 to 9:00 each evening. Time: Fri. 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm / Sat. Noon – 10:00 pm Location: Balboa Park, Near El Pardo, Organ Pavilion & Museums For more information visit www.balboapark.org |
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December 3,
Annual Ocean Beach Parade and Craft Fair
Every year Newport Ave is taken over by the geriatric surf team, motorcycle riding dogs and marching bands - plus Santa Claus on a fire truck! Come early to get a spot, there is parking throughout the neighborhood. A craft fair is also held on the Lawn at Veteran’s Plaza. Time: Parade starts at 5:05 pm Location: Newport Ave., Sunset Cliffs Blvd. to Abbott St., Ocean Beach For more information visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com |
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December 3
Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland
The Center will sparkle with dancing lights as patrons enjoy seasonal music and Victorian Carolers, a special visit from Santa, a spectacular light show, and real snow! Kids will enjoy free art activities, costumed entertainers and free treats. Time: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm Location: California Center for the Arts, Lyric Court & Great Green Lawn at the Center, Escondido For more information visit www.artcenter.org |
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December 3,
Annual Christmas comes to Imperial Beach
A festive holiday time for the whole family to enjoy with arts and crafts, food, a petting zoo with pony rides, a large game zone for the children and live entertainment. Santa arrives at noon on a fire truck. Time: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Location: Imperial Beach, Portwood Pier Plaza, Seacoast Dr. at Imperial Beach Blvd. For more information visit www.ib-chamber.com |
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December 3
Annual North Park Toyland Parade & Holiday Fair
This is a large-scale parade with marching bands, upbeat dance groups, cool vintage cars, beauty queens, city officials, and Santa Claus will be riding atop his merry red sleigh. Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Parade Route: University Ave starting at Utah Street and ending at Iowa St. For more information visit www.toylandparade.com |
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December 3
Annual Little Italy Christmas Village & Tree Lighting
Little Italy becomes a Holiday Village where shoppers and residents will enjoy the season’s festivities with holiday music, light refreshments, Santa, and the lighting of a Christmas tree. Time: 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm Location: Little Italy, corner of W. Date & India Streets For more information visit www.littleitalysd.com |
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December 3
Encinitas Holiday Parade
The Encinitas Christmas Parade includes floats, marching bands, children’s groups, specialty cars and patriotic organizations.
Time: Tree lighting at 5:00 pm / Parade at 5:30 pm
Location: Parade route travels South Coast Highway 101, starting at the corner of D St., ending at J St. For more information visit www.ci.encinitas.ca.us |
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December 3-4
San Marcos Santa’s Magical Village
Handcrafted holiday gifts for sale, dancers, elves, and carolers perform. A child-size magical village will offer free activities for kids. Time: Sat. 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Tree lighting at 6:45 pm / Sun. 9:00 am – 4:00 Location: San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Dr., San Marcos For more information visit www.ci.san-marcos.ca.us |
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December 4
Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade
This Annual Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival will have musical performances, tasty foods, and an antique plane flyover.
Time: Festival 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm / Parade 2:00 pm
Location: La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St., La Jolla For more information visit www.ljparade.com |
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December 9
Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival
The parade starts along Alpine Blvd & W. Victoria, ending with a festival at Alpine Creek Town Center. Festivities include a snow hill, Santa, Ronald McDonald Magic Show, activities for kids & teens, game truck and food. Time: Parade starts at 6:30 pm / Festival starts at 7:00 pm Location: Parade starts at Alpine Blvd., and W. Victoria, Alpine /
Festival is at Alpine Creek Town Center, 1347 Tavern Road, Alpine
For more information visit www.AlpineChamber.com |
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December 10
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
A decorated and lighted boat procession will parade in single file on Mission Bay, some broadcasting holiday music. Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Location: Mission Bay - begins at Quivira Basin, and along Crown Point, Vacation Island, Fiesta Island, & Sea World. Best viewing areas for this event is from Crown Point, or the west side of Fiesta Island,
or the east side of Vacation Island.
For more information visit www.mbyc.org |
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December 10
Oceanside Harbor Boat Parade of Lights
All decked out for the holiday, a wide variety of boats circle the inner Oceanside Harbor. A spectacular sight.
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Oceanside Harbor - best viewed from along the side of the harbor near the Harbor Police and fishing dock. For more information visit www.visitoceanside.org |
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December 18
Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The Annual Port of San Diego Boat Parade of Lights features a large fleet of private craft decorated and illuminated for the holidays. The boat parade will travel a 7-mile route from Shelter Island to Coronado.
Time: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: San Diego Bay - Begins at the southwest end of Shelter Island, past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, past the Convention Center, the Coronado Island Marriott Hotel, the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace and ends at the Navy carrier turning basin. For more information visit www.sdparadeoflights.org |
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December 21
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
The game pits a team from the Mountain West Conference against a bowl-eligible Pac-10 team or an at-large opponent.
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: San Diego Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd. For more information visit www.poinsettiabowl.net |
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December 28
Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade
America’s Largest Balloon Parade! Massive inflatables, numbering more than any other parade in the nation. Time: 10:00 am Location: Downtown San Diego - Begins at the County Admin Bldg parking lot, down North Harbor Drive and follows the waterfront, ending at West Harbor Dr. For more information visit http://www.holidaybowl.com/events/port-of-san-diego-big-bay-balloon-parade.html |
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December 31
Kids’ New Year’s Eve at Legoland
“Midnight at 6:00 pm” -- a one-of-a-kind Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party. The party kicks off at 3:00 pm with performances by some of the top children’s entertainment groups as we countdown to the New Year. At 6:00 pm a huge LEGO® brick will drop 22-feet into 2012 and there will be a dazzling fireworks display.
Time: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Legoland, One Legoland Dr., Carlsbad For more information visit http://california.legoland.com/ |
