Christmas Day FUN in San Diego!

What’s Open on Christmas Day in San Diego?

Christmas is coming! What are your plans for December 25? If you are not going out of town to visit friends or family during the break, here’s a list of what’s open on Christmas Day in San Diego. Turns out, there are plenty of FUN things to do on this special day.

You and your family can explore the Maritime Museum of San Diego, add a little LEGO magic to your day, or celebrate the holidays at Hotel del Coronado’s legendary beachfront Skating by the Sea ice rink. San Diego is the place to be at Christmas!

Maritime Museum of San Diego

Holiday on the Bay
Embarcadero

Have a nautical Christmas at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. including Christmas Day. Bring the kids to explore one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships including the Star of India, the world’s oldest active ship. Get your tickets here.

Fun Tip: Experiences make great gifts like the amazing Boarded! Pirate Adventure on Dec. 30 or the 45-minute narrated History of the Bay tour on a restored 1914 Pilot boat. Get tickets here.

Holidays bring seasonal cheer to LEGOLAND® California Resort

Holidays at LEGOLAND®
Carlsbad

Holidays at LEGOLAND is a great way to spend Christmas day and a wonderful new holiday family tradition with Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display through Jan. 5. Visitors can see the park’s 30-foot Lego tree decked with lights and Lego ornaments built out of more than 350,000 Lego and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive Lego models or costumed characters such as a Lego Santa, toy soldier, gingerbread man and elf characters. Find tickets and reserve your FUN here.

San Diego Zoo

Jingle Bells
Balboa Park

Experience the magic and the spirit of the holiday season at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. Join the FUN for the return of Jungle Bells, when the Zoo will light up the night until 8 p.m. with amazing entertainment and merry experiences. Bring the whole family and enjoy the warmth of the holidays at this joyous annual celebration.

Brand-New This Year: Be on the lookout for our spectacular Holiday Light Treks!

Jungle Bells activities are included with all admission tickets and memberships. Limited wildlife viewing after 5:00 p.m.
Please refer to the holiday map for designated open areas. Last Guided Bus Tour departs at 4:00 p.m. The Zoo opens at 9 a.m. on Christmas day and Jungle Bells lights up the night until 8 p.m. Discover more here.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Safari Park
Escondido

On Christmas day you can set out on safari and discover 1,800 acres of sprawling savannas teeming with wildlife as well as world-class botanical gardens—there’s no place like it on Earth. Encounter rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, and more. Explore the Wild Holidays Schedule for more holiday cheer. The park is open until 5 p.m. on Christmas day. Find tickets here.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve & State Beach

Holiday Festivities
La Jolla

Enjoy stunning cliff views and plenty of beginner-friendly hiking options. and then tip your toe in the Pacific Ocean at Torrey Pines State Beach.

Fun Tip: San Diego is home to numerous State Beaches. Find what’s happening at CA State Parks – San Diego Coast District for a beach near you.

Cabrillo National Monument

Explore the Tidepools
Pt. Loma

Low tide during winter days makes for a great opportunity to explore the tidepools at Cabrillo National Monument. On Christmas Day, 12;30 p.m., so arrive a few hours early for the best chance to see critters out and about in the tidepools. Don’t miss the lighthouse and sweeping panoramic views of the San Diego Bay. Cabrillo is open every day of the year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (tidepools close at 4:30 p.m.). Admission is just $20 per vehicle. Learn more and know and discover the best times to Visit the Tidepools here.

Fun Tip: Purchase an annual pass here for $35, bring it with you, and visit Cabrillo for twelve full months.

Lafayette Hotel

Christmas Wonderland For The Holiday Season

It’s holiday season at the LaFayette Hotel in North Park. Gingerbread is in the air, as well as some deftly-trimmed trees, lights, and tinsel everywhere in between. Walk through the halls and see the explosion of the holiday spirit. Every corner is perfect for a photoshoot worthy of your grid. From poolside firs to a not-so hidden sleigh, Christmas is very much alive.

The 139-room hotel has been decked out with holiday décor that rivals any winter wonderland. The entrance welcomes guests with a grand display: a massive wreath adorns the façade, and its four prominent pillars are wrapped in shimmering lights, creating a magical first impression. Inside, the hotel’s posh lobby bar and café are brimming with holiday cheer. Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes encircle the central bar and are even suspended from the ceiling, adding a whimsical touch to the elegant ambiance. Sparkling garlands drape above the pool area and throughout the lobby, along with massive Christmas ornaments, creating a cohesive festive theme that exudes holiday warm. Discover more here.

San Diego Coast District State Parks

Christmas at the Beach
San Diego County

San Diego boasts 70 miles of pristine sand along its stunningly beautiful coastline. Whether it’s relaxing, sunning, surfing, kayaking or body-boarding, there are some great beaches to spend your Christmas day. San Diego Coast District manages 13 parks from Carlsbad State Beach to the extreme southwest corner of the continental United States at Border Field State Park.

San Diego State Beaches

• Border Field
• Cardiff
• Carlsbad
• Leucadia
• Moonlight
• San Elijo
• Silver Strand
• South Carlsbad
• Torrey Pines State Beach

Arts District Liberty Station

Shimmering Lights & Ice
Point Loma

Take a twirl on the Rady Children’s ice skating rink open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (including Christmas Day / 1 – 8 p.m.) through Jan. 5. Stay past dusk when the tens of thousands of lights come alive and illuminate one of San Diego’s tallest Christmas trees.

Before and after Christmas, visit all the shops, restaurants and museums at Arts District Liberty Station including Visions Museum of Textile Art, Nautical History Gallery & Museum, and the New Americans Museum.

Christmas Brunch or Dinner in San Diego

Let one of  San Diego’s fabulous restaurants pamper you with all sorts of delectable goodies on Christmas Day this year. From multi-course feasts with ocean views to Filipino, vegan, and Chinese offerings, freelance writer Mary Beth Abate from the thrillist has put together a list of San Diego’s best restaurants that will make it a holiday dinner you won’t forget. Read more here.

Christmas Day at the Movies

While some cinemas will bring beloved Christmas classics like Love Actually and The Grinch back to theaters, there is only one new holiday film on the big screen in 2024: Red One. After Santa Claus is kidnapped, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson plays an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative who joins forces with a bounty hunter and perpetual naughty lister (played by Chris Evans) to track down St. Nick. Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, Bonnie Hunt and Kiernan Shipka also star in the flick, which is also available to stream on Prime Video.

There’s no time like Christmas vacation to catch up on your moviegoing —here’s what’s still showing on the big screen this holiday season. Sonic the Hedgehog 3(PG), Mufasa: The Lion King (PG), Marvel’s Raven the Hunter (PG-13), Queer (R), Wicked (PG-13) and Gladiator II (R)  Find a full list of Movie in Theaters here.

San Diego Zoo’s Balboa Park Miniature Train

Christmas Day train Rides
Balboa park

Operated by the San Diego Zoo, the Balboa Park Miniature Train takes riders on a three-minute, half-mile trip through four acres of Balboa Park. This rare, antique train is one of only 50 remaining G16 models. The Train is open from 11:00 a.m – 8 p.m on Christmas eve, December 24 and from 11:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m on Christmas Day, December 25.

More Christmas Day Fun in San Diego

City services remaining open Christmas Day:

• Chollas Lake (weather permitting)
• Mission Trails Regional Park
• Tecolote Canyon Natural Park
• City golf courses (holiday rates apply); Mission Bay Golf Course will close at dusk
• City skate parks and the Pacific Highlands Ranch Pump Track at 5977 Village Center Loop Road

Before and After Christmas

Museums Open on Christmas Eve

Many museums and museum stores are open on Christmas Eve, a perfect idea for out-of-town guests or last-minute shopping. Some museums will close early, so please plan ahead.

NEW! Looking for fun and family friendly things to do this week? We’ve got you covered with our guide to a Week of Holiday Fun + Last-Minute Gifts to finish off your list. Find the FUN here!

Balboa Park

San Diego County

From Oceanside to Chula Vista, explore holiday FUN at museums, historic sites, parks, gardens, zoos, aquariums and more all over San Diego County up through Christmas eve.

Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular

Holiday Light Show
Del Mar Fairgrounds

Explore the FUN at Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular – where the holiday spirit meets the coast! Get ready to embark on a festive journey like no other, as we transform this iconic venue into a winter wonderland by the sea. With twinkling lights, holcoastalchristmasdelmar.comiday cheer, and delicious snacks and drinks, Coastal Christmas promises to be your new favorite holiday tradition. Join the fun through Dec 26 for the warmth of the season, the joy of community, and the beauty of the coast, all wrapped up in one enchanting festival. Book Your Ticket Now & Save with code: DelMar24.

San Diego’s Direct TV Holiday Bowl

Holiday Bowl Festivities Keep the Holidays Going in San Diego!  The annual college football game takes over Snap Dragon Stadium and brings more fun to downtown San Diego, including the Holiday Bowl Parade. The 2024 DIRECTV Holiday Bowl is scheduled for Friday, December 27, 2024, at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California. This year’s matchup features the Syracuse Orange (9-3) from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) against the Washington State Cougars (8-4) from the Pac-12 Conference. Plus the first 10,000 fans to enter the gates at Snapdragon Stadium for the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl on December 27, 2024 will receive a FREE SeaWorld San Diego admission ticket that is valid through January 31, 2025.

There are many ways to tackle this festive celebration — even if you’re not watching the game. These are some of the biggest events on the roster:

• Thursday, Dec 26 / Holiday Bowl Bash: The public can expect live music, food, giveaways, photo opportunities and a battle of the bands competition at the fourth annual Bowl Bash on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. This free event features the bands from Syracuse and Washington State performing against one another at Fifth Avenue and Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Bowl Bash will also feature street performers, interactive games, photo booths and photo opportunities with the Holiday Bowl trophy. holidaybowl.com/bowl-bash/snapdragon-bowl-bash/
• Friday, Dec. 27 / Holiday Bowl parade: The Holiday Bowl Parade on Friday at 10 a.m. The parade highlights the Washington State and Syracuse marching bands, drill teams and various floats with extra-large balloons. More than 100,000 observers are anticipated by parade organizers. Street viewing is open to the public for free, and grandstand tickets can be purchased for $30 at holidaybowl.com/holiday-bowl-parade.
• Friday, Dec. 27 / Holiday Bowl: Snapdragon Stadium will host the Holiday Bowl for the first time. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday. The Holiday Bowl festivities conclude with the KGB Sky Show at the end of the game. Game tickets start at $60.30 and can be purchased at holidaybowl.com through Ticketmaster.