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Throughout December, Holiday of Lights – Del Mar Fairgrounds
Drive around the Del Mar Racetrack and view more than 400 spectacular lighted scenes, from the comfort of your car. Displays are organized into themes including Candy Cane Lane, Toyland, Twelve Days of Christmas, and more. Open every night including holidays.
Time: Sun – Thurs 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm /Fri & Sat 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
For more information visit www.holidayoflights.com
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Throughout December, Temecula Winterfest
The entire city will be decked out for the season. During Winterfest there will be a variety of events for children and adults including visits with Santa and horse drawn carriage rides. The city’s holiday lights are on display and carolers roam downtown. Local shops and restaurants will be featuring Winterfest specials, and “snow” will arrive at the Children’s Museum during the fest.
Time: Refer to website
Location: Old Town Temecula
For more information visit www.temeculacalifornia.com
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December 1 – 22, Annual Art of the Holiday
Do your holiday shopping from an abundance of goods created by the regional artists and artisans. Choose from a wide selection of jewelry, perfumes, vases, cookware, wood bowls, leather goods, mosaic boxes, painted silk scarves and clothing, fiber art wall hangings, and so much more. FREE.
Time: Mon-Sat 10:00 am – 4:00 pm / Sun Noon – 3:00 pm
Location: Art Center at Fallbrook, 103 S. Main at Alvarado, Fallbrook
For more information visit www.fallbrookartcenter.org
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December 3, Coronado Christmas Parade –
Open House – Snow Mountain
The holiday season in Coronado starts when Santa arrives by ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing. A festive parade along Orange Avenue follows, while merchants keep their doors open late for shopping. Santa lights the 75-foot star pine Christmas tree located in the center of town as the community band plays holiday music. Snow Mountain is open from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. The evening finishes with 2 concerts at 2 different locations.
Time: Refer to website for schedule
Location: Ferry Landing Marketplace – Coronado
For more information visit www.coronadovisitorcenter.com
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December 3 & 4, Balboa Park December Nights
Free community festival. Balboa Park holiday extravaganza featuring two days of light displays, nativity, Santa, musical & dance presentations, plus shopping, and holiday food & spirits. More than 80 museums & cultural organizations will be open for this event. Participating museums will be free to the public from 5:00 to 9:00 each evening.
Time: Fri 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm / Sat Noon – 10:00 pm
Location: Balboa Park
For more information visit www.sdhpr.org
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December 12, Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
A pet parade where pets and people can dress up in costume and march in a parade through the Gaslamp Quarter with the hope to win a prize. The event isn’t just for dogs; any pet will do. A fun parade to watch or participate in. This event includes a Pet Expo.
Time: 1:20 pm – 4:00 pm / Pet Expo 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Parade Route: Starts from the Hilton Hotel parking lot at 5th & L Street. Admission $10.00 per pet & owner for the parade & costume contest.
For more information visit www.gaslamp.org
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December 12, Annual Pacific Beach Holiday Parade
A community holiday parade that features floats, marching bands, color guards, community groups, children marching groups, clowns, Santa Claus, and more.
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Parade Route: Garnet Ave/Haines St, Garnet Ave., Bayard St/Garnet Ave.
For more information visit www.pacificbeachfest.com
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December 12 & 19, San Diego Bay Boat Parade of Lights
Spectacular event–free to view! The Annual Port of San Diego Boat Parade of Lights features a large fleet of private craft decorated and illuminated for the holidays. The boat parade will travel a 7-mile route from Shelter Island to Coronado.
Time: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Parade Route: Begins at the southwest end of Shelter Island, past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, past the Convention Center, the Coronado Island Marriott Hotel, the Coronado Ferry Landing Marketplace and ends at the Navy carrier turning basin.
For more information visit www.sdparadeoflights.org
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December 18, Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
A decorated and lighted boat procession will parade in single file on Mission Bay, some broadcasting holiday music. This popular lighted boat parade begins at Quivira Basin, and along Crown Point, Vacation Island, Fiesta Island, & Sea World. Best viewing areas for this event is from Crown Point, or the west side of Fiesta Island, or the east side of Vacation Island.
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Mission Bay
For more information visit www.missionbayparadeoflights.org
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December 23, 6th Annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl
The game pits a team from the Mountain West Conference against a bowl-eligible Pac-10 team or an at-large opponent.
Time: 5:00 pm
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, 9449 Friars Rd.
For more information visit www.poinsettiabowl.net
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December 26-30, Garden of Light – San Diego Botanic Garden
Annual holiday celebration at the San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Botanical Gardens) in Encinitas. Over 100,000 lights will illuminate the Gardens. Festivities include horse-drawn-wagon rides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, live music, and refreshments. Special holiday tales and tunes for children ages two to six will be offered several nights in December.
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas
For more information visit www.sdbgarden.org
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December 30, Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade
America’s Largest Balloon Parade! Massive inflatables, numbering more than any other parade in the nation, colorful floats, unique drill teams,and marching bands, the Budweiser Clydesdale horses, and…the Wienermobile!!!
Time: 9:00 am – 11:30 am / Parade: 10:00 am
Parade Route: Begins at the County Admin Bldg parking lot, down North Harbor Drive & follows the waterfront, ending at West Harbor Dr.
For more information visit www.holidaybowl.com
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December 30, Amtrak Big Bay Family Festival
If you’re coming down to watch the Big Bay Balloon Parade, be sure to stop by this festival for some family fun. You can test your skills on a rock wall, carnival games, video games, or a field goal kick. Need more to do? Then shop for merchandise, listen to the Battle of the University Bands, and definitely get an airbrush tattoo! Free admission.
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location: Downtown San Diego – Broadway Pier at the end of Broadway & North Harbor Dr.
For more information call 619-283-5808
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December 31, Big Night San Diego New Year’s Eve Gala
Big Night San Diego is the perfect, ALL-INCLUSIVE night.
Leave your wallet at home (just remember to bring your ID), because your ticket includes everything – all drinks included all night – with NO LONG LINES, Plus, a buffet and entertainment throughout the TWELVE different party zones
Time: Refer to website
Location: The Hilton San Diego Bayfront, One Park Boulevard
For tickets/information visit http://www.bignightsandiego.com/
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December 31, Kids’ New Year’s Eve at Legoland
A one-of-a-kind Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party. The party kicks off at 3:00 pm with fun entertainment in Miniland as we countdown to the new year. Mini revelers will receive party favors including glow necklaces, fireworks viewing glasses and noisemakers. Enjoy a fireworks extravaganza at 6:00 pm. It’s a New Year’s the kids will never forget. See website for ticket prices.
Time: 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Legoland, One Legoland Dr., Carlsbad
For more information visit http://california.legoland.com/
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