Plan your festive itinerary in La Mesa with our guide. Discover all the best holiday events and activities. Whether you're deeply connected to La Mesa or just making connections, our guide enhances your seasonal joy.
Popular events this holiday season include the cheerful Winter Fest OC, which offers snow play, holiday lights, and festive activities for families. Another highlight is the enchanting Holidays at Hotel del Coronado, featuring stunning decorations and seasonal treats that capture the spirit of the season. And the delightful December Nights at Balboa Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its vibrant atmosphere and cultural festivities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around La Mesa
- December Nights at Balboa Park (San Diego)
- Holidays at Hotel del Coronado (Coronado)
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- La Mesa Holiday in the Village
- La Mesa Holiday in the Village
- Holidays at The Grand (San Diego)
- Skating by the Sea (Coronado)
- Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village (San Diego)
- Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village (San Diego)
- Festival of Winter (Fontana)
See these and even more events listed below!
La Mesa Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Road
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday trail with interactive installations.
Description:
Holiday Road is a premier holiday event in Los Angeles featuring larger-than-life holiday installations, thousands of Christmas lights, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and countless candy canes. The event includes an immersive mile-long walking trail, interactive photo moments, a festive souvenir shop, and premium holiday bars.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Astra Lumina LA
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound experience in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Astra Lumina LA is an immersive night walk experience at the South Coast Botanic Garden, featuring light, scenography, and original soundscape to create an imaginative world where visitors can encounter the wonder of the stars and embrace their own human light.
Where: Rancho Palos Verdes | More Info: Astra Lumina LA
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony with Santa's return.
Description:
Little Italy transforms into a holiday spectacle with 10-foot nutcrackers, kinetic tree displays, and twinkling lights. Enjoy two Christmas trees, seasonal vendors, live music, and a traditional Italian tree lighting ceremony.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
La Mesa Holiday Markets and Shopping
La Mesa Holiday in the Village
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local craft vendors and holiday entertainment.
Description:
La Mesa Holiday in the Village is a free event featuring live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and holiday photo opportunities. Visitors can explore local craft vendor stands, enjoy artisan and craft food, and relax by fire pits while enjoying holiday caroling and live entertainment.
Where: La Mesa | More Info: La Mesa Holiday in the Village
La Mesa Holiday in the Village
What to Expect:
Live music and holiday photo opportunities with Santa.
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 and a kids' area bigger than Santa's Toy Shop.
Where: La Mesa | More Info: La Mesa Holiday in the Village
La Mesa Holiday Shows and Entertainment
December Nights at Balboa Park
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with STEAM activities and free photos with Santa.
Description:
December Nights at Balboa Park is a two-day event celebrating the holiday season with live music, STEAM activities, free photos with Santa, lights displays, and delicious food.
Where: San Diego | More Info: December Nights at Balboa Park
Tree Lighting & Events at La Valencia
What to Expect:
Annual tree lighting ceremony with festive activities.
Description:
La Valencia Hotel's Tree Lighting & Events feature homemade treats, live music, carolers, and children’s crafts, culminating in the tree lighting at 5:45 PM.
Where: La Jolla | More Info: Tree Lighting & Events at La Valencia
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Rich cultural tapestry of Mexican Christmas traditions.
Description:
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande present Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, a vibrant show weaving cherished Mexican traditions into a heartwarming story of the season. The event features the joyous rhythms of mariachi and colorful Mexican dance, capturing the spirit of Posadas, the majesty of the Reyes Magos, and the thrill of breaking piñatas.
Where: Rancho Cucamonga | More Info: Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
Stargazer’s Presents Tibbies’ Holiday Follies
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday variety show with multi-talented cast.
Description:
Celebrating its 31st Christmas season, Stargazer Productions presents Tibbies' Holiday Follies, featuring tap dancing "Toy Soldiers," breathtaking vocal arrangements, dazzling costumes, and hilarious holiday parodies. This show is inspired by classic TV specials and brings a sense of nostalgia, family, togetherness, and Christmas spirit to all.
Where: Rancho Cucamonga | More Info: Stargazer’s Presents Tibbies’ Holiday Follies
La Mesa Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Year-round farm-fresh fun and educational activities.
Description:
The OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA, offers a variety of events and activities, including a working farm, veterans museum, and 157,000 square feet of venue rental space for meetings, parties, and cultural festivals. It hosts events like Centennial Farm, Heroes Hall, and Imaginology, providing a mix of agriculture, entertainment, cultural, and educational experiences.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
La Jolla Christmas Festival and Parade
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with a variety of festive activities and attractions.
Description:
The La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival is a festive event featuring floats, marching bands, community groups, drill teams, vintage vehicles, horses, Santa Claus, and a camel. The festival includes Santa visits, arts-and-crafts, games, music, and face-painting.
Where: La Jolla | More Info: La Jolla Christmas Festival and Parade
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 free hot cocoa and cookies at Gaslamp Quarter Station, and participate in holiday activities like a coloring station.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Holly Jolly Trolley
Skating by the Sea
What to Expect:
Unique beachfront ice skating experience with holiday-themed amenities.
Description:
Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado features a beachfront ice rink with stunning Pacific Ocean views, benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego. Enhance your experience with rink-side or ocean-side Frostbite Lounges offering plush seating, fire pits, and holiday-themed libations.
Where: Coronado | More Info: Skating by the Sea
Holidays at Hotel del Coronado
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with beachfront ice skating and Hollywood-themed decor.
Description:
Celebrate the 2024 holiday season at Hotel del Coronado with a tribute to Old Hollywood's golden age. Enjoy beachfront ice skating, special holiday dining, and spectacular light shows, all while embracing the timeless elegance of Marilyn Monroe.
Where: Coronado | More Info: Holidays at Hotel del Coronado
Holidays at The Grand
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly Glice skating rink with exclusive cabanas and firepits.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Fairmont Grand Del Mar with a variety of activities, including Glice skating, holiday dining, and festive events like the annual tree lighting ceremony and Nutcracker Tea. Enjoy holiday-themed beverages and treats while creating cherished moments with loved ones in a luxurious coastal canyon setting.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Holidays at The Grand
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow play and train rides for all ages.
Description:
The Festival of Winter is a free community event at Miller Park featuring train rides, attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow play and a Tot Lot for kids to experience snow for the first time.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Festival of Winter
Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village
What to Expect:
Santa in surfing attire
Description:
Surfin' Santa at Seaport Village brings a fun and lively holiday celebration with Santa Claus dressed in surfing attire, adding a unique twist to the traditional holiday event.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lemon Grove (2 miles)
- Spring Valley (2 miles)
- El Cajon (4 miles)
- La Presa (4 miles)
- Rancho San Diego (5 miles)
- Santee (6 miles)
- Winter Gardens (7 miles)
- National City (8 miles)
- Lakeside (9 miles)
- San Diego (9 miles)
- Chula Vista (10 miles)
- Coronado (11 miles)
- Mira Mesa (12 miles)
- Poway (13 miles)
- Imperial Beach (14 miles)
- Rancho Penasquitos (14 miles)
- La Jolla (16 miles)
- Ramona (21 miles)
- Encinitas (24 miles)
- Escondido (25 miles)
- San Marcos (27 miles)
- Vista (32 miles)
- Carlsbad (33 miles)
- Oceanside (36 miles)
- Fallbrook (44 miles)