# 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.

- Last checked: 2026-10-28
- 10 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
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## Christmas parades

- **Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting** at Orange Avenue, Coronado. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://coronadochamber.com/holiday-parade-tree-lighting/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Ocean Beach Holiday Parade** at Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 5:05–7pm. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://sdstreetfairs.com/event/ocean-beach-holiday-parade/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival** at Girard Ave to the La Jolla Rec Center, La Jolla. When: Sun, Dec 6, 2026. Time: Parade at 1pm; festival 1–5pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.ljparade.com/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Pacific Beach Holiday Parade** at Garnet Ave from Haines St to Bayard St, Pacific Beach. When: Sat, Dec 12, 2026. Time: 1pm. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://www.pacificbeach.org/event/pacific-beach-holiday-parade-4/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **San Diego Bay Parade of Lights** at San Diego Bay, from Shelter Island, Embarcadero. When: Sun, Dec 13, 2026. Time: Sundays Dec 13 and 20 at 5:30pm. Price: Free. Official page: https://sdparadeoflights.org/parade-schedule-route/ (checked 2026-10-26)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Christmas on Crystal Pier** at Crystal Pier, 4500 Ocean Blvd, Pacific Beach. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 2pm to sunset; Santa photos and tree lighting. Price: Free. Official page: https://www.pacificbeach.org/event/16341/ (checked 2026-10-26)
- **Small Town Holiday & Tree Lighting** at Portwood Pier Plaza, 940 Seacoast Dr., Imperial Beach, CA 91932. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 3–6 p.m. Price: No tickets listed. 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: https://www.imperialbeachca.gov/1729/Small-Town-Holiday-Holiday-Tree-Lighting (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Spirit of Christmas & Community Tree Lighting** at Maine Avenue, downtown Lakeside (tree lighting at the Lakeside Historical Society), Lakeside. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 3–7:30 p.m.; tree lighting and Santa's arrival at 5 p.m. Price: Free admission. 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: https://lakesidechamber.org/events/details/spirit-of-christmas-2026-4566 (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree Lighting** at Fletcher Cove Park, Solana Beach. When: Sun, Dec 6, 2026. Time: Starts 4:30 p.m.; Santa arrives by fire truck about 5:20 p.m. Price: Free. 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: https://cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov/en/node/3575 (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Holiday Tree Lighting at La Colonia Park** at La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075. When: Sun, Dec 13, 2026. Time: 5–7 p.m.; Santa and his elves arrive about 5:20 p.m. Price: Free. 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: https://cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov/en/node/3577 (checked 2026-10-28)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/coronado-holiday-parade-and-tree-lighting-orange-avenue/): next dates Dec 4, 2026
- [Ocean Beach Holiday Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/ocean-beach-holiday-parade-newport-avenue/): next dates Dec 5, 2026
- [Starlight Parade & Festival](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/starlight-parade-and-festival-third-avenue/): next dates Dec 5, 2026
- [Del Mar Holiday Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/del-mar-holiday-tree-lighting-jim-watkins-amphitheater-lauberge/): next dates Dec 6, 2026
- [Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/fletcher-cove-holiday-tree-lighting-park/): next dates Dec 6, 2026
- [La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/la-jolla-christmas-parade-and-holiday-festival-girard-ave-rec-center/): next dates Dec 6, 2026
- [Pacific Beach Holiday Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/pacific-beach-holiday-parade-garnet-ave-from-haines/): next dates Dec 12, 2026
- [San Diego Bay Parade of Lights](https://littlesweekly.com/san-diego/events/san-diego-bay-parade-of-lights/): next dates Dec 13–20, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in San Diego in 2026?
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.

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in San Diego?
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.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in San Diego free?
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.

### Which are best for little kids?
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.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).