Spread holiday cheer in Vista with our guide. Find all the events and activities that make this season special. From Vista natives to seasonal visitors, our guide ensures you don't miss a moment of yuletide joy.
Popular events shine during the holiday season, such as the enchanting December Nights at Balboa Park, where festive lights and cultural displays create a magical atmosphere. Enjoy the breathtaking San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, featuring beautifully decorated boats gliding across the water. And the Winter Fest OC is something you definitely don't want to miss, bringing a winter wonderland experience with ice skating and festive treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Vista
- December Nights at Balboa Park (San Diego)
- San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (San Diego)
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- LEGOLAND Christmas (Carlsbad)
- Hotel del Coronado Holiday Events (Coronado)
- Santa Ana Winter Village (Santa Ana)
- A Very Furry Christmas Celebration (Chula Vista)
- Winter Lights (Santa Ana)
- Meet Surfin’ Santa in Seaport Village (San Diego)
- Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House (Coronado)
See these and even more events listed below!
Vista Holiday Light Displays
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
What to Expect:
Lavishly decorated boats with a "PEACE ON EARTH" theme.
Description:
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is a time-honored holiday tradition featuring approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats. Participants will decorate their boats to fit this year’s theme, "PEACE ON EARTH," and the parade will proceed to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park before making the turn to Coronado. The event brings more than 100,000 San Diego residents and visitors to the shores of San Diego Bay each year.
Where: San Diego | More Info: San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House
What to Expect:
Iconic tree lighting with 18,175 lights and a 4-foot-tall star.
Description:
The Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is a cherished tradition featuring over 1,400 participants and thousands of spectators. The event culminates with the illumination of a 120-foot pine tree adorned with 18,175 twinkling lights, including a 4-foot-tall star. Santa Claus is the final parade entry, flipping the switch to light the tree, which shines nightly from sunset to 11 pm.
Where: Coronado | More Info: Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House
Oceanside Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
The Oceanside Holiday Tree Lighting features kids' activities, Santa's arrival on a fire truck, and a tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy free activities like crafts, fire truck displays, milk and cookies, and amusement rides.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: Oceanside Holiday Tree Lighting
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 an immersive light display, eco-friendly synthetic ice skating, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Del Mar | More Info: Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular
Vista Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Gift Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with diverse holiday gifts and live entertainment.
Description:
The Holiday Gift Market at Mainstreet Oceanside features 200 artisans and merchants offering eclectic holiday gifts, gourmet goodies, and international street fare. Enjoy live music and children's activities, including visits with Santa.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: Holiday Gift Market
Holiday Mercato at Beach House Winery
What to Expect:
Wine and chocolate pairing event.
Description:
Sip, shop, and taste at the Holiday Mercato at Beach House Winery, featuring wine pairings and handcrafted chocolates.
Where: Fallbrook | More Info: Holiday Mercato at Beach House Winery
Vista Holiday Shows and Entertainment
December Nights at Balboa Park
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with diverse attractions and activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday spirit at Balboa Park with live music, STEAM activities, free photos with Santa, lights displays, and delicious food.
Where: San Diego | More Info: December Nights at Balboa Park
A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with Sesame Street characters.
Description:
A Very Furry Christmas Celebration 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 can enjoy Sesame Street Christmas shows, the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, the Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party, games, special food and beverages, unique holiday merchandise, and one-of-a-kind photos with their favorite Sesame Street characters.
Where: Chula Vista | More Info: A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
LEGOLAND Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive LEGO activities and holiday character meet-and-greets.
Description:
LEGOLAND California transforms into a holiday destination with a towering LEGO Christmas tree, live music, and interactive LEGO build zones. Families can enjoy special performances and meet their favorite holiday LEGO characters, including LEGO Santa and friends. The event features seasonal shows, "elfies," and a larger-than-life LEGO wreath for family photos.
Where: Carlsbad | More Info: LEGOLAND Christmas
Meet Surfin’ Santa in Seaport Village
What to Expect:
Santa arrives by surfboard.
Description:
Meet Surfin’ Santa in Seaport Village, where Santa arrives by surfboard, bringing joy and holiday cheer to all.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Meet Surfin’ Santa in Seaport Village
Winter Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays showcasing physics and illumination.
Description:
Winter Lights is a holiday musical show at Discovery Cube Orange County, featuring a heartwarming story, original songs, and interactive light displays. The show blends hope, resilience, and magic, set against the backdrop of Aurora Borealis. It includes unique characters like a science fairy and a lovable robot crafted from a toaster.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Lights
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Vibrant celebration of Mexican holiday traditions through music and dance.
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
Vista Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Agricultural and cultural celebration with live music and educational activities.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center features a variety of activities including farm-fresh fun, live music, and educational experiences. The event offers a unique blend of agricultural exhibits, cultural events, and family-friendly entertainment.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse entertainment and activities.
Description:
The La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival is a festive event featuring floats, marching bands, community groups, and Santa Claus. The parade kicks off at Kline and Girard, while the holiday festival is located on Wall Street between Girard and the Athenaeum alley. The event includes Santa visits, arts-and-crafts, games, music, and face-painting.
Where: La Jolla | More Info: La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Hotel del Coronado Holiday Events
What to Expect:
Holiday celebrations with beachfront ice skating and light shows.
Description:
Hotel del Coronado's holiday events feature a beachfront ice rink, holiday dining in the Crown Room, and festive light shows, all celebrating the hotel's rich legacy in filmmaking.
Where: Coronado | More Info: Hotel del Coronado Holiday Events
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow play with over 40 tons of fresh snow.
Description:
The Festival of Winter is a free community event at Miller Park featuring train rides, rides and attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow play and the chance to sled down over 40 tons of fresh snow.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Festival of Winter
Santa Ana Winter Village
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in Southern California.
Description:
The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long event featuring ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and more. It includes special events like a toy giveaway and breakfast with Santa.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Santa Ana Winter Village
O’side Handmade Holiday
What to Expect:
Unique blend of running, community, and charity.
Description:
The O’side Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving day running event featuring a 5K and kids' runs, with a scenic beachside course, costume contest, largest teams competition, and live entertainment. It benefits the Move Your Feet Before You Eat Foundation, which promotes health and well-being through physical fitness.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: O’side Handmade Holiday
Boat Ride with Santa
What to Expect:
Short, festive boat ride with Santa.
Description:
Take a 20-minute boat ride around Dana Point Harbor with Santa Claus. All proceeds benefit the Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Reservations are required, and children can chat and interact with Santa without direct contact.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: Boat Ride with Santa
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- San Marcos (6 miles)
- Carlsbad (7 miles)
- Oceanside (8 miles)
- Escondido (11 miles)
- Encinitas (12 miles)
- Fallbrook (12 miles)
- Rancho Penasquitos (18 miles)
- Poway (20 miles)
- Mira Mesa (20 miles)
- Temecula (21 miles)
- Ramona (24 miles)
- La Jolla (24 miles)
- Murrieta (25 miles)
- San Clemente (26 miles)
- Wildomar (28 miles)
- Santee (29 miles)
- Lakeside (30 miles)
- Winter Gardens (31 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (32 miles)
- Dana Point (32 miles)
- El Cajon (32 miles)
- La Mesa (32 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (33 miles)
- San Diego (34 miles)
- Lemon Grove (34 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (34 miles)
- Spring Valley (34 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (35 miles)
- Coronado (36 miles)
- Rancho San Diego (36 miles)
- La Presa (37 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (37 miles)
- Menifee (37 miles)
- National City (37 miles)
- Mission Viejo (37 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (38 miles)
- Laguna Beach (39 miles)
- Laguna Hills (39 miles)
- Chula Vista (40 miles)
- Lake Forest (40 miles)
- Perris (40 miles)
- Hemet (41 miles)
- Imperial Beach (43 miles)
- San Jacinto (44 miles)