Holiday guide: 10 festive things to do in San Diego this winter
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December Nights in Balboa Park is the city's largest holiday festival. Photo: Dünzl\ullstein bild via Getty Images
Palm trees are twinkling and Santas are surfing, which means the holiday season has arrived in San Diego.
The big picture: Here are some of our favorite ways to embrace the holiday cheer this time of year, from Christmas festivals to concerts and cocktails.
Festive light displays
The San Diego Zoo's Jungle Bells and Wild Holidays at the Safari Park feature interactive light shows, acrobatic and musical performances, festive games and other activities.
- The nightly "All That Jazz" musical light show is another classic during the holidays at the Hotel del Coronado.
- Don't miss the glowing art installations on the Lightscape trail through the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas.
- Carlsbad Campstore's musical light show with snow flurries and an ocean view every night at sunset.
Holiday markets and festivals
December Nights is the city's ultimate holiday festival with attractions, shopping, food and performances that draw hundreds of thousands to Balboa Park for the free two-day event each year.
- Petco Park's Holiday Market turns Gallagher Square into a winter wonderland with live music, a carousel, Santa and some of his reindeer and local vendors for unique gifts.
- Sip, shop and see the Parade of Lights at the Makers Arcade Holiday Fair at Broadway Pier this year.
Christmas pop-up bars
Make spirits bright at one of San Diego's holiday pop-up bars that are truly Christmas explosions.
- Check out the new Santa's Cabana pop-up at Brisa in Little Italy or get Snowed In at Fort Oak in Mission Hills.
- Miracle's festive drinks and decor are at Botanica Bar in North Park and Coaster Saloon in Mission Beach this year, while Draft at Belmont Park has turned into a Winter Wonderland.
- In Pacific Beach, Duck Dive is decked out with A Great Dickens' pop-up, and the tiki-themed Sippin' Santa has taken over Grass Skirt.
- There's a punk-pop Emo Christmas pop-up at El After Social Club, and a groovin' disco Xmas bar at Good Night John Boy's downtown.
Outdoor ice-skating
Gawk at humanity's triumph over nature at outdoor ice-skating rinks across our coastal desert.
- Check out ice rinks at the Hotel del Coronado, Viejas Casino and Resort, Liberty Station and up in the mountains at Julian Farm and Orchard.
Unique winter experiences
Kick off the holiday season with a fundraiser for McKinley Elementary that's developed into a family-friendly festival, where the best chefs in town compete for the title of best chili.
- Be smart: There's good music all day, but don't miss the Night Carrots, a rocking group of grade-school girls who have been winning over North Park crowds for years.
Get in the Christmas Spirit on the North Pole Limited, starting at the historic Campo Depot and winding through scenic backcountry with hot cocoa and cookies until Santa and Mrs. Claus board the train to ask each kid what they want for Christmas.
- Celebrate the Christmas classic with the Southern California Polar Express, departing from Perris, California.
- The Holiday Express on the Coaster is sold out, but hey, it's the season of perpetual hope. Maybe you can make it happen.
Suit up like Santa for the annual 5K race in Pacific Beach that was voted best in the country by USA Today.
Holiday theater and live music
Give the kids a taste of theater with Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" or "Ebenezer Scrooge's Big San Diego Christmas Show" at the Old Globe, or leave the little ones at home and enjoy "Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story."
- The San Diego Symphony is performing holiday concerts, including "The Holiday" and "Home Alone" at Rady Shell and a sensory-friendly kids concert at Jacobs Music Center.
- See "The Nutcracker," "A Drag Queen Christmas" and "A Magical Cirque Christmas" at the Balboa and Civic theaters downtown.
- San Diego Musical Theatre is putting on "A Christmas Story," while the California Center for the Arts, Escondido and the San Diego Natural History Museum also have holiday shows.
Looking for an offbeat Christmas event?
John Waters — The Prince of Puke, The Pope of Trash — is back for two nights to celebrate Christmas as only he can, at Lou Lou's in the Lafayette Hotel.
Grateful Dead tribute band Easy Wind is bringing "A Jerry Christmas" to Belly Up, where Beatles tribute band Abbey Road is also performing a Christmas concert.