San Diego features an annual holiday parade.
Southern California's mild climate means that San Diego's daytime winter temperatures are usually in the high 60s with plenty of sunny days. While visitors won't find snow-covered roofs or warm woolen mittens, December in San Diego features a wealth of holiday activities to get into the spirit. The city celebrates the season with a variety of outdoor events like cultural festivals and parades. While much of the country is bundling up to shovel snow, San Diegoans might just be buying a Christmas in a T-shirt and flip-flops.
Balboa Park December Nights
Balboa Park--San Diego's urban cultural park that encompasses 15 museums, beautiful gardens and the San Diego Zoo -presents the city with a holiday gift each year called December Nights. The free, two-day celebration is typically held the first weekend in December and features activities for families and culture lovers. Highlights include Christmas on the Prado, featuring food from around the world; the Palisades Midway with carnival rides and games; The Spiderwick Chronicles Experience, an exhibit showcasing CGI and modern cartoon techniques; the Santa Lucia procession and a large holiday bazaar with goods from artisans, museum stores and local boutiques. Dance troupes and musical acts perform throughout the festival. Some exhibits vary each year, but December Nights is one of the city's beloved holiday events.
Balboa Park Visitors Center
1549 El Prado
San Diego CA 92101
619-239-0512
balboapark.org
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The San Diego Bay is home to an annual Parade of Lights show that features boats decorated as holiday floats. Held in mid-December, the parade features more than 100 boats decked out--literally--with lights to form snowflakes, Christmas trees, nativity scenes and several other holiday sights. Each year, the parade has a theme, such as Christmas at the Zoo, and boats compete for prizes in categories like Most Original Design. The seven and a half-mile route is best seen from the shore, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Harbor Island and Coronado Island and begins just after dusk.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
1220 Rosecrans Street, Suite 414
San Diego, Ca. 92106
619-224-2240
sdparadeoflights.org
Holiday Bowl
San Diego hosts the Holiday Bowl, an NCAA college football game played in late December at Qualcomm Stadium. The game is the main draw, but even non-football types will find a number of festive activities, such as the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade in downtown San Diego and the annual Wiener Nationals, a championship dachshund race, a Family Festival and a 5K run. Along with these events, the event kicks off with world-class marching bands and drill team performances. Visitors should go early to get a spot to see the parade, which draws as many as 100,000 spectators each year.
San Diego Bowl Game Association
Qualcomm Stadium
9449 Friars Road, L-55
619-283-5808
holidaybowl.com
Tags: December Nights, Parade Lights, Balboa Park, Diego features, Diego Parade, Diego Parade Lights