Here’s your San Diego Holiday Lights Guide for 2018! Grab your kids, grandkids, inner-kids and friends and enjoy the magic. If you are looking for other fun holiday events in North County and San Diego County, you can find them here.
North County Coastal
CARLSBAD
7607 Romeria St. Nicknamed “Carlsbad Christmas House.” Walk up to see the animated window display, swimming penguins, surfing Santa, Snoopy skating and three snow machines. Open Dec. 2-31, 5-10 pm.
6646 Elegant Tern Pl. Real Santa’s mailbox for the kids and treats nightly. Santa writes back a free personalized letter to each child. Free community party Dec. 15 from 5:30-10 pm with cotton candy, crafts, bubbles, hot cocoa and mulled wine, even a visit from Santa Claus himself! Dec. 5-25, 5-10 pm.
3520 Corte Ramon This is their sixth year of decorating. The lights and characters are coordinated to music. Dusk-10pm.
Holidays at LEGOLAND California. Enjoy live entertainment, a holiday light show, LEGO® Holiday character meet and greets, special holiday treats and food offerings, and our 30-foot LEGO® Christmas tree trimmed with awesome LEGO ornaments. Nov. 17-Dec. 31.
ENCINITAS
San Diego Botanic Garden Garden of Lights. 125,000+ lights illuminating the Garden. Horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, holiday crafts, visits with Santa, marshmallow roasting and snow! 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas. Dec. 1-23 and 26-30, 5-8:30 pm.
OCEANSIDE
1615 Quiet Hills Dr. Lights synchronized to over 10 songs on 87.9 FM. Last year’s display was Dec 1-31, 5-9 pm.
2329 Snead Dr. Lights, lights, lights, Santa arrives by hot air balloon, nativity scene, animated elves and Santa village light display. Walk up to see a Christmas scene in the garage. Dec. 7-31, 5:30-9 pm.
1562 Peacock Blvd. Rudolph, Christmas trees and lights. Dec. 10-Jan. 5, 5:30-10 pm.
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights. Boats decorated in holiday lights circle Oceanside Harbor. Dec. 8, 7 pm.
North County Inland
CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH
Fairway Village, east and west sides of Stoney Gate Pl. 80+ homes decorated in “Holiday Magic.” There will also be a public block party Sat., Dec 15 from 5:30 to 10:30 pm. Dec. 1-Jan.1, dusk-10:30 pm.
POWAY
12631 Stoutwood St. Off Twin Peaks Rd. & Deerwood St. Nicknamed “The Griswolds.” Dec. 1-Jan. 1, 5:30-10 pm weekdays, 11 pm weekends.
Hickory Ct., Hickory St., Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct. All off Twin Peaks Rd. & Silverset St. named “Candy Cane Lane.” Entire cul-de-sacs are lit up. Nov. 30-Dec. 24, 6-9 pm.
RAMONA
23542 Bassett Way. “Happy Lights Ramona” with 30,000+ lights animated to music on 106.9 FM using 996 computer channels to control the lights. Dec. 1-Jan. 1; Sun-Th, 5:30-10 pm; and Fri & Sat, 5:30-11 pm.
RANCHO PEÑASQUITOS
Oviedo St. Off Black Mountain Rd. “Christmas Card Lane.” Also enter off Twin Trails Dr. & Carmel Mountain Rd. Dec. 9-31, dusk-10 pm.
SAN MARCOS
1639 Knob Hill Off Nordahl Rd. Between Tam O’ Shanter Dr. & Augusta Dr. Christmas on Knob Hill began in 1988 and has grown to over 85,000 lights plus themed displays. See Santa Dec. 14-23, 6:30-7:30 pm. Nov. 22-Dec. 30, 5-9 pm.
1145 Barham Dr. Nov. 22-Dec. 30, 5:30-9 pm Mon-Thurs, 5:30-10 pm Fri and Sat.
San Diego Coastal
LA JOLLA/UTC
7474 Charmant Dr. Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Christmas at the San Diego Temple, UTC. Walk the Temple grounds with more than 130,000 lights and nativity scenes. Free. Nov. 23-Jan. 1, 5-11 pm.
MISSION BAY
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. Over 100 vessels. Begins on Quivira Basin. See Mission Bay Yacht Club for more information. Dec. 8, starts at 6 pm.
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration. SeaWorld is decked out with more than a million holiday lights and a 40-ft. tree. SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is a holiday waiting to be made, with seasonal shopping, festive food and drinks, and stunning live shows. Nov. 17-Jan.6.
POINT LOMA
Garrison St. & Chatsworth. Off Rosecrans. Garrison Street Lights, Dec. 1-31, dusk-10 pm.
SAN DIEGO BAY
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This year’s theme is Tropical Island Christmas. Beginning at 5 pm each night, the parade starts at Shelter Island and proceeds to Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, the Pier at Cesar Chavez Park, and ends at the Ferry Landing in Coronado. Dec. 9 & 16, 5 pm.
San Diego Central
CLAIREMONT
Lana Dr. & Jamar. Off Mt. Abernathy Ave. Circular street. “Clairemont Christmas Park.” 40+ homes decorated. Dec. 1-25.
5404 Mt. Burnham Dr. Features a 96-channel animated light display synced to 98.5 FM. North Pole village display, train and animated figures display in garage. Dec. 10-27, 6-10 pm.
5348 Channing St. Dec 4-31, dusk-10 pm.
MIRA MESA
8866 Cassioepia Way. Dec. 10-31, dusk-10 pm.
11505 Elbert Ct. Dec. 10-31, dusk-10 pm.
SCRIPPS RANCH
Stonebridge Parkway and Merritage Ct. Nicknamed “Merry-tage Court.” Entire street lit up with fun themes. Dec. 1-31, 5:30-9:30 pm.
SERRA MESA
2002 Ainsley Rd. Lights, inflatables and a 20 foot snowman. Dec. 1-31, dusk-9 pm.
TIERRASANTA
5306 Belardo Dr. Off Via Valarta at Via Playa De Cortes. 100,000 lights and decorations all sequenced and animated to music at 106.1 FM. See www.belardolights.com. Nov. 24-Dec. 27, 6-10 pm.
10927 Baroque Lane. A Winter wonderland with shooting star display, animated ski village, miniature village, snowmen and more. Dec. 7-30, 6-10 pm.
Downtown San Diego
BALBOA PARK
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo transforms the zoo into a wild wonderland of of twinkling lights, merry performances, festive foods, and fun for all! Dec 14-Jan 6.
BANKERS HILL
The Forward House in Bankers Hill. Experience the sight and sounds of the season at 108 Ivy St. (1st & Ivy). Built in 1905 for Mayor John Forward Sr, adorned with lights every season since 1998. Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 5–10 pm.
SOUTH PARK
South Park’s Luminaria Season with trees, lamp posts, roofs and courtyards all decorated with lights. Along 30th St. and Fern St. from Juniper to Grape to Beech. Nov.19-Jan. 1.
South Bay
CHULA VISTA
Whitney St./Mankato Circle between First and Second Ave. off H St. & 1st Ave. “Christmas Circle.” 61st year of decorating 55+ homes. Dec. 8-26, 5-10 pm.
CORONADO
Hotel del Coronado celebrates A Christmas Legend with thousands of twinkling lights, a two-story lobby tree, Skating by the Sea®, and legendary holiday events and activities.
PARADISE HILLS
2160 Reo Dr. On Dec. 16 from 7-9 pm meet Santa and enjoy cookies and cocoa. Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 6-10 pm.
East County
CAMPO
2434 Cypress Dr. Inflatables, lighted yard decorations, music and lights. Dec. 1-31, 6:30-10 pm, weekends only.
EL CAJON
Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights). Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area. Off 67 & Bradley. Dec. 8-26, Mon-Th, 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun, 6-10 pm.
11456 Pegeen Pl. “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme, complete with Jack, Sally, Zero, the Mayor & Oogie Boogie. Dec. 1-Jan. 5, Mon-Th, 6-9 pm and Fri-Sun, 6-10 pm.
1838 El Pico Dr. Off Hacienda Dr. 55th year decorating the 20-ft. star that’s 100 ft. up. Nov. 25-Dec. 31. Also see a 55-ft. train. Dec. 8-31, dusk-10 pm.
9777 Valley Ranch Rd. Lights programmed to 87.9 FM. Giant dazzling trees, twinkling stars and a Winter Wonderland of computerized light and music shows. Nov. 24-Dec. 26, 5-10:30 pm.
1552 Cajon Greens Pl. Light-o-rama with a 20-ft. tree, thousands of lights, leaping arches, yard decorations, roof slopes of lights and video projector. Dec. 1-Jan. 2, Sun-Th, dusk-10 pm and Fri-Sat, dusk-midnight.
3001 Golf Crest Ridge Rd. Santa will be there on Dec. 15 from 6-10 to hand out candy canes and take photos with you. Dec. 1-31, dusk-10 pm.
LA MESA
6266 De Camp Dr. 22-ft tree of light and more. Lights dance to Christmas songs. Dec. 1- 25, 5-9 pm.
7817 Quince St. House lit up. Donations for Humane Society accepted. Dec. 6-31, dusk-10 pm.
LAKESIDE
10248 Paseo Palmas Dr. 20+ houses nicknamed “Tinsel Town.” Dec. 5-25, 5:30-9 pm.
LEMON GROVE/LOMITA
689 Meadowbrook Dr. Off Jamacha Rd. South of Lemon Grove. Occasional sightings of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Dec. 8-Jan. 1, dusk-10 pm.
2618 Sheri Ln. Cul-de-sac turns into Santa Claus Lane. Light show at 6:30 pm and every 30 minutes on 89.9 FM. Dec. 1-25, 6:30-9 pm.
SANTEE
Starlight Circle/Sunburst Santee. Tomel Court, off Magnolia. Many homes lit up. Dec. 1-31, dusk-10 pm.
9325 Pebble Beach Dr. Displays on house and yard set to music. Dec. 1-31, dusk-10 pm.
9435 Saint Andrews Dr. Santee’s gingerbread house with over 15,000 lights. Nov. 24-Jan. 1, dusk-10pm.
9773 Roe Dr. 31,000 Christmas lights dance to 10 songs over 128 computer channels. Dec 15-16 pictures with Frozen and Jack and Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas and Dec 21-23rd pictures with Santa and the Grinch. St. Jude donations accepted. Dec. 2-31, 6-10 pm.
SPRING VALLEY
4037 N. Bonita St. Lots of lights, music and decorations. Dec. 10-Jan. 5, dusk-11 pm.
Information from San Diego Family Magazine.