# Christmas break with kids in San Diego, 2026

> 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-26
- 2 places’ holiday hours; 10 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **Fleet Science Center**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Dec 24: 10am–5pm; Dec 25: 12:30–5pm; New Year’s Day Not listed. Their page says: “Open daily 10am–5pm, with shorter Christmas Day hours” Source: https://www.fleetscience.org/visit-fleet-science-center (checked 2026-10-26)
- **San Diego Zoo and Safari Park**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day Open; New Year’s Day Open. Their page says: ““The San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park are open every day of the year, rain or shine, including ALL holidays!”” Source: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/help-center (checked 2026-10-26)

## Christmas Eve

- **Santa at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration** at SeaWorld San Diego, Santa’s Cottage on SkyTower Lawn, 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA 92109. When: Daily, Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: During Christmas Celebration hours. Price: Included with park admission. SeaWorld’s holiday season also has real reindeer, Rudolph and nightly snowfall. Official page: https://seaworld.com/san-diego/events/christmas/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **LEGO Santa at Christmas Bricktacular** at LEGOLAND California, One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008. When: Nov 21–29; Dec 5–6, 12–13 and 19–31, 2026; Jan 1–3, 2027. Time: During park hours. Price: Included with park tickets. 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. Official page: https://www.legoland.com/california/holidays/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **Lightscape** at San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024. When: Select nights, Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 5–9pm. Price: Adults from $28, kids $18, 2 and under free; parking $15 in advance. About 30 min drive from San Diego. Official page: https://www.sdbg.org/lightscape/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Ups-N-Downtown Roller Rink** at Maple Street, Downtown Escondido, Maple Street south of Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025. When: December 2026. Time: Thu–Fri 4–8pm, Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–4pm. Price: $5 rink fee, $5 skate rental. A holiday roller rink downtown. The Escondido Holiday Market runs on Maple Street Plaza on three December weekends. Official page: https://downtownescondido.com/events/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station** at Liberty Station, Point Loma. When: Nov 19 – Jan 3. Price: Adults $25; kids 12 and under $15. Official page: https://rchicerink.org/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Skating by the Sea** at Hotel del Coronado, Windsor Lawn, Coronado. When: Nov 20 – Jan 3. Price: $40–45 a session, value sessions $35; skates included. 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. Official page: https://www.hoteldel.com/events/skating-by-the-sea/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Kids’ New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND** at LEGOLAND California, One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: Early fireworks and countdown; check the event page for the time. Price: Included with park tickets. “Midnight” comes early, with live music, a countdown and fireworks so kids make it to bed. About 35 min drive from San Diego. Official page: https://www.legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/kids-new-years-eve/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Glow BIG Noon Year** at AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct., Miramar. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 10am–1pm. Price: One ticket per household, with VIP and general admission tiers; no refunds. San Diego Moms' yearly countdown party, with DJs, a magician, character appearances, crafts and balloon drops at noon. Official page: https://sandiegomoms.com/2026/09/noon-year/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year Eve at Coronado Public Library** at Coronado Public Library, Winn Room, 640 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. Crafts, snacks and dance parties, with a balloon drop at noon sharp. Official page: https://coronado.librarycalendar.com/event/noon-year-eve-47363 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Lightscape** at San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024. When: Select nights, Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 5–9pm. Price: Adults from $28, kids $18, 2 and under free; parking $15 in advance. About 30 min drive from San Diego. Official page: https://www.sdbg.org/lightscape/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
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## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in San Diego with kids?
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.

### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in San Diego?
On the calendar: Santa at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and LEGO Santa at Christmas Bricktacular.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in San Diego?
Fleet Science Center (Not listed), San Diego Zoo and Safari Park (Open).

### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in San Diego?
On the calendar for Jan 1: Lightscape. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in San Diego?
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.

### How do you check these holiday hours?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).