The calendar of holiday events in San Diego County has reached a high point with just a few days to go until Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve.
Luckily The San Diego Union-Tribune has tons of lists for locals to explore — and has checked them twice — to share for the remainder of the season. While some major events have already taken place, many more are waiting for guests to arrive.
Here’s everything you need to know about as 2024 speeds to its sparkly, jovial end.
Light shows
Holiday light shows come in numerous shapes and forms in San Diego County. There are laser shows, classic holiday lights, jazz music, animals, botanic gardens and boats.
This guide provides some options for seeing holiday light shows across the county this year, based on online listings and promotions.
Read more here: These 2024 light shows are offering a mix of holiday fun in San Diego County
Christmas dinner
Not everyone enjoys cooking on Christmas Eve, and not all restaurants are closed on Christmas.
For those who want to dine out or want a prepared meal on Dec. 24 or 25, here are 14 venues offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners and brunches in San Diego County.
Read more here: Where to find 14 Christmas dining options in San Diego County
Pop-up bars
Various bars, restaurants and hotels in San Diego County are creating holiday cocktails and dres their venues with seasonal decorations such as Christmas lights, presents and ornaments. Some of them will also have live music, themed food and photo opportunities.
Here are those businesses with holiday-themed pop-up activations and events this holiday season.
Read more here: Need an idea for getting into the holiday spirit? Seasonal pop-up bars are here
Hanukkah
Hanukkah celebrations begin at sundown Dec. 25 and continue through Jan. 2. The Jewish festival, sometimes called the Festival of Lights, hearkens back to the restoration of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd century. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, commemorating the miracle of a one-day supply of lamp oil that lasted eight days. Candles are lighted each night in a special candelabra called a Hanukkah Menorah that holds nine candles.
Here are some community celebrations.
Read more here: A guide to Hanukkah festivities and menorah lightings across San Diego County
Pop concerts
Is a decline in annual holiday tours the latest barometer of the recent downturn in the national concert market?
There were nearly three-dozen notable holiday concerts in San Diego County last November and December. This year, that number is down to 22 and fewer big acts are touring. Whether this is a temporary fluke or a market correction with long-term implications remains to be seen, but there is still an ample array of options.
Here, in chronological order, are 10 of our concert picks for the season.
Read more here: Rock, pop, jazz, Latin and country acts will bring sounds of the season
The ‘Nutcracker’
For many San Diego families, it’s not Christmas season unless there’s a “Nutcracker” on the schedule.
Set to a score by Pyotr Tchaikovsky and based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s 1816 short story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” the 1892 Russian ballet is the holiday story of a girl who receives a nutcracker toy from her godfather and then dreams about the toy coming to life and taking her on a series of adventures. “The Nutcracker” is a staple of ballet companies worldwide, though every company puts their own twist on the story and choreography. Here are a baker’s dozen “Nutcracker” productions to choose from this holiday season.
Read more here: ‘Nutcracker’ ballets set to dance in to local stages
Living Nativity shows
The Christmas story will be re-enacted at a number of churches across San Diego County. There are Living Nativities where visitors can walk through scenes telling the Christmas story along with Christmas pageants and processions.
Read more here: Where to see living Nativity scenes and the Christmas story at churches across San Diego
Skating rinks
Sharpen the blades, check the laces and dust off the skates. Holiday ice skating season has landed in San Diego County once again.
Temporary outdoor ice skating rinks are popping up around the county this month and permanent ice skating arenas are beginning holiday hours and events. Here are some of the options for ice skating at outdoor and indoor venues this fall and winter.
Read more here: Glide into the holiday season at these 10 ice skating rinks in San Diego County
Classical and choral concerts
The month of December is packed with San Diego holiday concerts. Whether you like sacred music, sing-alongs or festive carols this Christmas and Hanukkah season, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Read more here: 18 classical and choral concerts to enjoy this season
Plays and musicals
The holidays are all about traditions. San Diego has many of its own with musicals and plays coming back year after year and beloved by local audiences.
Here’s a roundup of the holiday-themed shows playing throughout San Diego County.
Read more here: Check out these 18 seasonal plays and musicals at local theaters
Where to find tamales
Tamales date back thousands of years to pre-Hispanic civilization, and the word tamal means steamed cornmeal dough in Nahuatl. There are hundreds of tamal variations based on different combinations of ingredients and wrapping leaves.
Several San Diego County restaurants serve tamales throughout the year, such as Casa Guadalajara in Old Town which offers them as a combination plate, but this guide highlights places that specialize in making and selling tamales. This guide suggests seven businesses where the public can get tamales right now, whether at a brick-and-mortar business or a pop-up vendor consistently found at one location.
Read more here: 7 tamal businesses to try this holiday season in San Diego County
New Year’s Eve
San Diegans can eat, drink and party for New Year’s Eve by land, sea or rooftop.
Locals will find a variety of options for celebrating across the county, including a variety show with magic and comedy, a cruise and a golf-centered soiree.
Read more here: How to celebrate New Year’s Eve at parties, festivals and fancy dinners
