Eager for the holiday season in Chula Vista? Check out our guide for all the festive activities! For those who breathe Chula Vista air daily and those just getting a taste, our guide ensures a festive experience.
Popular Events: Experience the enchanting December Nights at Balboa Park, where stunning lights and musical performances create a magical atmosphere. With engaging displays and delicious food options, it's a community favorite. The SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration brings whimsical holiday cheer, featuring festive shows and animal encounters. And the Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour is something you definitely don't want to miss for a charming view of the city’s holiday lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Chula Vista
- December Nights at Balboa Park (San Diego)
- SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration (San Diego)
- Wild Holidays at the Safari Park (Escondido)
- Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular (Del Mar)
- Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour (San Diego)
- Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting (Coronado)
- A Very Furry Christmas
- Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village (San Diego)
- La Jolla Christmas Parade & Festival (La Jolla)
- Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival
See these and even more events listed below!
Chula Vista Holiday Light Displays
Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour
What to Expect:
Holiday lights tour with sing-along caroling.
Description:
Join Old Town Trolley for a holiday tour that combines festive lights, holiday music, and fun activities. See the best of San Diego's holiday sights in Old Town, Little Italy, Bankers Hill, and more. Enjoy sing-along caroling with Elf conductors who share fun holiday facts and traditions.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights and Festive Nights Tour
Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular
What to Expect:
Immersive light display with eco-friendly synthetic ice skating.
Description:
Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular at Del Mar Fairgrounds features millions of lights, eco-friendly synthetic ice skating, and festive food and drink options.
Where: Del Mar | More Info: Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular
Wild Holidays at the Safari Park
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with Wild Holidays, featuring holiday light displays, festive music, and seasonal treats. Explore illuminated paths, visit Santa, and enjoy interactive holiday activities.
Where: Escondido | More Info: Wild Holidays at the Safari Park
Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Iconic 120-foot pine tree with 22,000 lights.
Description:
The Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is a cherished tradition featuring a 120-foot pine tree adorned with 22,000 twinkling lights. Over 1,400 participants and thousands of spectators come together to celebrate the holiday season with a festive parade and tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Coronado | More Info: Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony with Santa's appearance.
Description:
Join Little Italy San Diego for the annual Tree Lighting & Christmas Village, featuring 10-foot nutcrackers, kinetic tree displays, and twinkling Christmas lights. Enjoy live music, seasonal vendors, holiday treats, and a traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony. Santa will be present to grant Christmas wishes. The event includes two stunning Christmas trees and a Christmas Village with unique stocking stuffers and artisanal gifts.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
Chula Vista Holiday Markets and Shopping
La Mesa Holiday in the Village
What to Expect:
Unique holiday celebration with local craft vendors and live music.
Description:
La Mesa Holiday in the Village is a free event featuring live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and holiday photo opportunities, including selfies with Santa. Visitors can explore local craft vendor stands and enjoy artisan and craft food specialties while relaxing by fire pits and enjoying holiday caroling and live entertainment.
Where: La Mesa | More Info: La Mesa Holiday in the Village
Chula Vista Holiday Shows and Entertainment
December Nights at Balboa Park
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with STEAM activities and Santa photos.
Description:
Join us in Balboa Park for December Nights 2024, celebrating the holiday spirit with an amazing Family Zone featuring STEAM activities, free photos with Santa, lights displays, musical performances, attractions, and delicious food.
Where: San Diego | More Info: December Nights at Balboa Park
SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with live marine animal interactions.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at SeaWorld San Diego with dazzling Christmas shows, live reindeer, and festive decorations. Meet Santa and Rudolph, enjoy snowfall, and savor candy-topped hot chocolate amidst beautiful park decorations.
Where: San Diego | More Info: SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration
A Very Furry Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with Sesame Street characters.
Description:
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place San Diego features Sesame Street friends in a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, a 24-foot tall Christmas Tree, and exciting rides and attractions. Guests enjoy Sesame Street Christmas shows, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, the Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party, and special food and beverages. Unique holiday merchandise and one-of-a-kind photos with Sesame Street friends dressed in their holiday best are also available.
Where: Chula Vista | More Info: A Very Furry Christmas
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Festival
What to Expect:
Vintage vehicles and a camel join the festive procession.
Description:
The La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival is a festive event featuring floats, marching bands, community groups, and Santa Claus. It takes place on Wall Street between Girard and the alley by the Athenaeum, with the parade kicking off at Kline and Girard. The festival includes Santa visits, arts-and-crafts, games, music, and face-painting.
Where: La Jolla | More Info: La Jolla Christmas Parade & Festival
Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with new twists and a 25-foot-tall Christmas tree lighting.
Description:
The Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival is a 60th Annual holiday celebration featuring dazzling floats, joyful participants, and activities for all ages. The event includes a holiday movie showing at the Memorial Bowl and a new look with a new logo and branding.
Where: Chula Vista | More Info: Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival
North Pole Limited
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with Santa and festive treats.
Description:
The North Pole Limited is a holiday train ride that offers a 90-minute journey filled with holiday cheer. Passengers enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, festive sing-alongs, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The train departs from the historic Campo Depot, featuring restored 1920s vintage commuter cars and upgraded seating options.
Where: Campo | More Info: North Pole Limited
Winter Paradice: Skate, Create & Celebrate
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with STEAM activities and festive lights.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday spirit at Balboa Park with STEAM activities, free photos with Santa, lights displays, musical performances, and delicious food.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Winter Paradice: Skate, Create & Celebrate
Chula Vista Other Holiday Activities
Holly Jolly Trolley
What to Expect:
Vintage trolley ride with holiday festivities.
Description:
Embark on a ride through downtown San Diego on the Holly Jolly Trolley, a vintage 1001 Trolley decorated for the holidays. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies at Gaslamp Quarter Station, and decorate your own Christmas tree ornaments.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Holly Jolly Trolley
Poway's Christmas in the Park
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday activities with a vintage charm.
Description:
Join us at Old Poway Park for an old-fashioned holiday tradition featuring live music, Santa visits, tasty holiday treats, and a craft boutique. Enjoy a night-time ride on the Poway Midland Railroad and watch the tree lighting ceremony followed by Santa's arrival on the train.
Where: Poway | More Info: Poway's Christmas in the Park
Encinitas Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community celebration with creative floats and performances.
Description:
The Encinitas Holiday Parade is a vibrant community celebration featuring colorful floats, dynamic performances, and a tree lighting ceremony with Santa's brief appearance.
Where: Encinitas | More Info: Encinitas Holiday Parade
Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with floats and marching bands.
Description:
The Ocean Beach Holiday Parade is a festive community event hosted by the Ocean Beach Town Council and supported by OBMA. It features a lively procession of floats, marching bands, and local participants celebrating the holiday season.
Where: Ocean Beach | More Info: Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
Critters Save Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive animal encounters and personalized Santa time.
Description:
Join Helen Woodward Animal Center for Critters Save Christmas, a live storytelling experience where families help Santa retrieve his supplies. Enjoy hands-on animal encounters, craft activities, and an elf obstacle course while decorating cookies and cocoa. Each child will meet Santa privately and receive an early gift.
Where: Rancho Santa Fe | More Info: Critters Save Christmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- National City (3 miles)
- Imperial Beach (4 miles)
- Coronado (7 miles)
- La Presa (7 miles)
- San Diego (7 miles)
- Lemon Grove (8 miles)
- Spring Valley (9 miles)
- La Mesa (10 miles)
- Rancho San Diego (11 miles)
- El Cajon (13 miles)
- Santee (15 miles)
- Winter Gardens (16 miles)
- Lakeside (18 miles)
- La Jolla (18 miles)
- Mira Mesa (19 miles)
- Rancho Penasquitos (22 miles)
- Poway (22 miles)
- Encinitas (30 miles)
- Ramona (30 miles)
- Escondido (33 miles)
- San Marcos (35 miles)
- Carlsbad (39 miles)
- Vista (40 miles)
- Oceanside (42 miles)