Christmas parades 2026San Diego · America’s Finest City

Christmas parades and tree lightings in San Diego, 2026.

We found ten Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around San Diego with 2026 dates: five parades and five tree lightings and lighting nights, nine free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting: Dec 4. Plus 4 more.5 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?Christmas on Crystal Pier: Dec 5 · 2pm to sunset. Plus 4 more.5 lightingsIs it free?9 of 10 are free to watch; the rest list a price.9 freeDaytime or after dark?6 daytime, 4 in the evening. Each card is marked.4 evening

Last checked · 10 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

4DecFriCoronado Holiday Parade & Tree LightingParade · Time not listed5DecSatChristmas on Crystal PierTree lighting · 2pm to sunset5DecSatOcean Beach Holiday ParadeParade · 5:05–7pm5DecSatSmall Town Holiday & Tree LightingTree lighting · 3–6 p.m.5DecSatSpirit of Christmas & Community Tree LightingTree lighting · 3–7:30 p.m.6DecSunLa Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday FestivalParade · Parade at 1pm6DecSunFletcher Cove Holiday Tree LightingTree lighting · Starts 4:30 p.m.12DecSatPacific Beach Holiday ParadeParade · 1pm13DecSunSan Diego Bay Parade of LightsParade · Sundays Dec 13 and 20 at 5:30pm13DecSunHoliday Tree Lighting at La Colonia ParkTree lighting · 5–7 p.m.

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around San Diego

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near San Diego

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Dec5Sat

Small Town Holiday & Tree Lighting

Portwood Pier Plaza · 940 Seacoast Dr., Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Tree lightingDaytime
Time
3–6 p.m.
Price
No tickets listed

Good to know: Imperial Beach's beachfront kickoff to the season, with Santa photos, holiday crafts and air jumps for the kids, then the town tree lights up at the end of the afternoon. It's a short walk from the pier, so it pairs well with an hour on the sand first.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec5Sat

Spirit of Christmas & Community Tree Lighting

Maine Avenue, downtown Lakeside (tree lighting at the Lakeside Historical Society) · Lakeside

Tree lightingFreeDaytime
Time
3–7:30 p.m.; tree lighting and Santa's arrival at 5 p.m.
Price
Free admission

Good to know: The Lakeside Chamber closes Maine Avenue for an East County street party where the booths are asked to run kids' activities and crafts. Santa arrives for the tree lighting at the Historical Society.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec6Sun

Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree Lighting

Fletcher Cove Park · Solana Beach

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
Starts 4:30 p.m.; Santa arrives by fire truck about 5:20 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: The 21st year of Solana Beach's oceanfront lighting. New this year is a snow hill for sledding and a snow play area, plus cocoa, cider and treats. The tree goes on before Santa pulls up, so get there by 4:30 if your kids want to see both.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Dec13Sun

Holiday Tree Lighting at La Colonia Park

La Colonia Park · 715 Valley Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
5–7 p.m.; Santa and his elves arrive about 5:20 p.m.
Price
Free

Good to know: A smaller neighborhood lighting in historic La Colonia Park, hosted with the La Colonia Community Foundation, with Mexican hot cocoa and sweets. A calmer pick than the bigger coastal lightings if your toddler doesn't love crowds.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s added

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in San Diego

Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree LightingNext: Dec 4, 2026Ocean Beach Holiday ParadeNext: Dec 5, 2026Starlight Parade & FestivalNext: Dec 5, 2026Del Mar Holiday Tree LightingNext: Dec 6, 2026Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree LightingNext: Dec 6, 2026La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday FestivalNext: Dec 6, 2026Pacific Beach Holiday ParadeNext: Dec 12, 2026San Diego Bay Parade of LightsNext: Dec 13–20, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in San Diego

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Good questions

Christmas parades in San Diego: the FAQ

Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting: Fri, Dec 4, 2026 (Coronado). Ocean Beach Holiday Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 5:05–7pm (Ocean Beach). La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival: Sun, Dec 6, 2026, Parade at 1pm; festival 1–5pm (La Jolla). Pacific Beach Holiday Parade: Sat, Dec 12, 2026, 1pm (Pacific Beach). Plus one more on this page.

Christmas on Crystal Pier at Crystal Pier, 4500 Ocean Blvd: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 2pm to sunset; Santa photos and tree lighting. Small Town Holiday & Tree Lighting at Portwood Pier Plaza: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 3–6 p.m. Spirit of Christmas & Community Tree Lighting at Maine Avenue, downtown Lakeside (tree lighting at the Lakeside Historical Society): Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 3–7:30 p.m.; tree lighting and Santa's arrival at 5 p.m. Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree Lighting at Fletcher Cove Park: Sun, Dec 6, 2026, Starts 4:30 p.m.; Santa arrives by fire truck about 5:20 p.m.

Nine of the ten we list are free to watch: Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, Christmas on Crystal Pier, Ocean Beach Holiday Parade and Spirit of Christmas & Community Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, Christmas on Crystal Pier and Small Town Holiday & Tree Lighting. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

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 28, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in San Diego that weekend, parades included.

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