North County and San Diego Events for December
December’s North County and San Diego events bring lots of holiday fun! There are light shows, craft fairs, parades and tree lightings. Santa’s very busy and is even giving sleigh rides! And, if you need a break from holiday food and drink, don’t miss the film festival, 5 and 10K runs along with half marathons, the Holiday Bowl and international auto show. Keep reading for more great San Diego and North County events!
Del Mar Racing
Through Dec. 4
It all began in 1937. And this fall, racing returns to America’s favorite seaside track with the annual running of the Bing Crosby Season. Don’t miss four weeks of Thoroughbred excitement – surrounded by the beauty of Del Mar.
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
www.dmtc.com
Lightscape
Through Jan. 1
Following sold-out runs in the world’s largest cities, Lightscape illuminates San Diego Botanic Garden with more than one million lights, tunnels, fire, sculptures and artistic installations that come to life after dark with color, imagination, and sound. Reserve your tickets and parking today to celebrate the holidays with SDBG!
San Diego Botanic Garden
760-436-3036 / sdbg.org
Fallbrook Tree Lighting Festival
Dec. 2
Music and live entertainment, shopping and resource booths, free activities for all ages, food for purchase, lighting of our 20-foot cedar tree.
760-728-1671 / www.fallbrookcommunitycenter.com
Red Nose Run
Dec. 3
Entering our 30th year, The Red Nose Run has become equally famous for its on-the-beach fun run, holiday costumes, and after run celebration. Plan to stick around after your run and enjoy your friends old and new in holiday cheer with heavy appetizers provided by Poseidon Restaurant and the holiday spirit of their cash bar. Dog-friendly.
11:30am-3pm / Powerhouse Park, Del Mar
www.therednoserun.com
Encinitas Holiday Parade
Dec. 3
From cars to fashion to music, and Encinitas legends, lore and tradition, at the 2022 parade we’ll see our parade entries go all out representing what "Classic Encinitas" means to them. The Parade Committee is also happy to name Encinitas’ own, Warren Raps as the 2022 Parade Grand Marshal.
5:30-7:30pm / Coast Highway 101
encinitasca.gov
Holiday at the Rancho
Dec. 3
Experience a classic holiday setting at Holiday at the Rancho as the park is lit up with holiday lights and decorations. Watch the holiday tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. on the sand near the pool. Decorate holiday cookies, create crafts, participate in the plush snowball fight, and enjoy festive entertainment. Face painting, train rides, an outdoor movie and a special visit by Santa are also included. A holiday film will be featured on the outdoor movie screen starting at 6 p.m.
5-8pm / 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln., Carlsbad
www.carlsbadca.gov
Vista Christmas Parade
Dec. 3
The theme this year is "A Toy Stories Christmas," with our Grand Marshal being the Toy Man of Vista! Grab your family and friends and join us for all the local festive fun. Santa is the grand finale.
1-2:30pm / Santa Fe, Historic Downtown & Vista Village
www.vistachamber.org
Winter Wonderland
Dec. 3
Join us for our annual Winter Wonderland where you can play in real snow, enjoy holiday-themed drinks and treats, make holiday crafting activities and browse for gifts from local artisans. Be sure to take the self-guided tour of Northern Lights on our campus with tunnels of twinkling lights, LED Christmas trees and light shows.
3pm / California Center for the Arts, Escondido
artcenter.org
San Marcos Tree Lighting
Dec. 3
Free festive crafts and activities, as well as vendors selling their wares and snacks. Entertainment will be featured in the courtyard. Don’t miss the snow right after the tree lighting!
1-7pm / San Marcos Civic Center
www.san-marcos.net
Fallbrook Christmas Parade
Dec. 3
Lighted floats, music, dancers, marching bands, classic and specialty vehicles, and Santa Claus.
5-8pm / Downtown Fallbrook
www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
Performing Arts Workshop Presents The Nutcracker
Dec. 3-4
Join the Performing Arts Workshop for the annual holiday classic, The Nutcracker, December 3rd and 4th at 1pm and 5pm.
11am / Truax Theatre, Oceanside CA
www.dancepaw.com
Solana Beach Holiday Tree Lighting
Dec. 4
There will be live music and a visit from Santa Claus! Enjoy cookies, cider and treats.
4:30pm / Fletcher Cove Park
www.cityofsolanabeach.org
Cardiff Kringle Mingle
Dec. 4
Take photos with Santa in his vintage camera camper sleigh. Children’s crafts and live music performed by local musicians. Holiday treats, hot coffee and hot chocolate. Makers’ booths will line the street for some holiday shopping.
11am-3pm / Aberdeen Drive
www.cardiff101.com
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival
Dec. 4
You’ll see floats, marching bands, community groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, horses, Santa Claus and yes — a camel. Church bells peal with a fly-over. There is also a holiday festival called Santa’s Village. This has been a San Diego event for 66 years.
11:30am-4pm / Girard Avenue & Prospect Street
www.ljparade.com
San Diego Underground Film Festival
Dec. 5
A diverse and inclusive lineup of experimental, documentary, animated, and narrative films complimented by nightly expanded cinema performances, installations and live music.
Tenth Avenue Arts Center
www.sdundergroundarts.org
Community in Unity
Dec. 8
Experience delights from local chefs, our finest restaurants, wineries and local craft breweries. Entertainment from musical groups representing Escondido communities will provide a truly festive atmosphere, and guests are encouraged to bring NEW, unused and unwrapped TOYS & PAJAMAS!
5:30-8pm / Escondido City Hall Dome
760-745-2125 / www.greaterescondido.org
Snow N Glow Holiday Festival
Dec. 8-Jan. 1
Snow tube down our giant snow hill made with real snow! Sip on hot cocoa while you stroll through a million festive lights! Our Winter Wonderland glowing lights are here to make your holidays bright.
4-9pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
www.cbfproductions.com
Poway’s Christmas in the Park
Dec. 9-10
An old-fashioned, holiday tradition that will take you back in time! Enjoy live music, visit with Santa, purchase tasty holiday treats, finish your Christmas shopping at the craft boutique, or board the Poway Midland Railroad for a night-time ride around the park.
Fri 5:30-8pm, Sat 3:30-8pm / Old Poway Park
www.poway.org
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Dec. 10
Features boats decorated for the holidays that will sail around the bay. Best viewing is from Crown Point, the east side of Vacation Island or the west side of Fiesta Island.
6-9pm / Quivira Basin
858-488-0501 / www.discovermissionbay.org
San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race
Dec. 10
Come out in your finest (or ugliest) Christmas attire as you take part in the annual San Diego Santa Run, a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. 5K runners receive: sunny Santa suit, Santa run sunglasses, chip timing, custom bib, complimentary drink ticket.
9am / Pacific Beach
www.sandiegorunningco.com
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Dec. 10
Fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dressed up in holiday swag circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers at the harbor, restaurants and beach.
7-9pm / Oceanside Harbor
760-722-5751 / visitoceanside.org
Holiday Boutique & Craft Fair
Dec. 10
Get in the holiday spirit with your family and friends while shopping for unique Holiday Gifts! Donate a toy to Arrowood’s toy drive to help military families and you will be entered into a raffle to win some fun prizes!
11am-4pm / Arrowood Golf Course, Oceanside
760-967-8400 / www.arrowoodgolf.com
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Dec. 11 & 18
A time-honored holiday tradition and San Diego event since 1970, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights brings more than 100,000 San Diego residents and visitors to the shores of San Diego Bay each year. The procession of approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats has become one of the most iconic events in the region.
5:30-7:30pm / San Diego Bay
sdparadeoflights.org
Santa’s Sleigh Ride
Dec. 16
Santa will be riding along with fire, sheriff and marine safety personnel. See website for map.
2:30-5pm / Solana Beach Fire Station
858-720-2453 / www.cityofsolanabeach.org
Dirty December Poker Fun Run Half Marathon & 10K
Dec. 17
In addition to a costume contest and holiday theme, this run will involve a poker element – your poker hand could give you bonus time!
8am-2pm / Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve, Poway
dirtyfeet.us/trailraces/decemberrun
San Diego Holiday Half Marathon
Dec. 17
The San Diego Holiday Half Marathon is a fast 13.1 mile course that starts in Rancho Penasquitos and finishes at the beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach.
5:15am-12:15pm / Hotel Karlan
www.sandiegoholidayhalf.com
Country Christmas Parade of Lights
Dec. 17
"Joy in Julian" – Cars decorated with Christmas cheer will make their way down Main Street for you to enjoy. Cars usually pass three times, so you don’t miss any of the fun.
5:30-6pm / Main Street Julian
www.visitjulian.com
Encinitas Community Nutcracker
Dec. 17
The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition among families throughout our region. With mice-battling soldiers, the nutcracker becoming a prince, and Clara, the main character, receiving the gift of a dream, this beloved holiday favorite is a wonderful way to celebrate the season for the whole family.
2 & 6pm / Encinitas Community Center
www.encinitasballet.com
Holiday Homes Tour
Dec. 18-23
This year will mark 36 years since the beloved North County tradition began, and we’re going virtual again. We hope this allows viewers of all ages and locations to be able to be a part of this lovely holiday fundraiser and view four beautiful North County residences. The tour will run for a week from December 18-December 23, and 100% of the proceeds will go back to the clinic’s newest service addition – senior care services.
virtual
760-631-5000 / www.vistacommunityclinic.org
SDCCU Holiday Bowl
Dec. 28
Find out how to be a part of this signature San Diego event between some of college football’s most competitive conferences, the ACC and the Pac-12.
5pm / Petco Park
holidaybowl.com
San Diego International Auto Show
Dec. 30-Jan. 2
The wide selection of vehicles on display will feature the newest technology to enhance the driving experience, all packaged in luxurious interiors and wrapped in cutting-edge designs. Show visitors can participate in exciting, fun new features, family entertainment, and interactive activities.
San Diego Convention Center
www.sdautoshow.com
Enjoy December’s North County and San Diego events! Do you have North County or San Diego events that you’d like included here? Just let me know, and I’ll add them for you.
Please forgive any errors or omissions and let me know if there’s anything that needs fixing. Please check with the organizations holding these events for costs, tickets, availability, changes, limitations and important details.