What to do with kids in San Diego over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by two museums, zoos and play places: two say they’re open on Christmas Day and two on New Year’s Day. Plus six dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
SeaWorld San Diego, Santa’s Cottage on SkyTower Lawn · 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Good to know: SeaWorld’s holiday season also has real reindeer, Rudolph and nightly snowfall.
LEGOLAND California · One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Good to know: LEGO Santa comes with his sleigh and reindeer. Fireworks on Dec 5, Dec 12 and every night Dec 19–31. About 35 min drive from San Diego.
San Diego Botanic Garden · 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Good to know: About 30 min drive from San Diego.
Maple Street, Downtown Escondido · Maple Street south of Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025
Good to know: A holiday roller rink downtown. The Escondido Holiday Market runs on Maple Street Plaza on three December weekends.
Liberty Station · Point Loma
Hotel del Coronado, Windsor Lawn · Coronado
Good to know: Nov 21–29 daily 10am–10pm; Dec 1–17 Mon–Thu 4–10pm; Dec 18–Jan 3 daily 10am–10pm. Skates from toddler size 8. Kids under 12 skate with an adult. Parking is extra.
LEGOLAND California · One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Good to know: “Midnight” comes early, with live music, a countdown and fireworks so kids make it to bed. About 35 min drive from San Diego.
AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct. · Miramar
Good to know: San Diego Moms' yearly countdown party, with DJs, a magician, character appearances, crafts and balloon drops at noon.
Coronado Public Library, Winn Room · 640 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118
Good to know: Crafts, snacks and dance parties, with a balloon drop at noon sharp.
San Diego Botanic Garden · 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Good to know: About 30 min drive from San Diego.
Open on New Year’s Day: Fleet Science Center, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in San DiegoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in San DiegoEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in San DiegoFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in San DiegoFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in San DiegoIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in San DiegoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in San DiegoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in San DiegoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in San DiegoKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in San DiegoParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in San DiegoPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in San DiegoBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in San DiegoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
This week in San DiegoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Fleet Science Center (Dec 24: 10am–5pm; Dec 25: 12:30–5pm), San Diego Zoo and Safari Park (Open) post that they’re open on Christmas Day.
On the calendar: Santa at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and LEGO Santa at Christmas Bricktacular.
Fleet Science Center (Not listed), San Diego Zoo and Safari Park (Open).
On the calendar for Jan 1: Lightscape. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Lightscape, Ups-N-Downtown Roller Rink, Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station and Skating by the Sea. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 26, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in San Diego, through the holidays.
