December 2026San Diego · America’s Finest City

December in San Diego with little kids.

20 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around San Diego in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

20 listings · 12 free

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

10 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

2 listings

Dec 7 to Dec 13

3 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Dec31Thu

Glow BIG Noon Year

AleSmith Brewing Company, 9990 AleSmith Ct. · Miramar

Noon Year’s Eve
When
Thursday, Dec 31
Time
10am–1pm
Price
One ticket per household, with VIP and general admission tiers; no refunds
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

5 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec1to 31

Lightscape

San Diego Botanic Garden · 300 Quail Gardens Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024

Holiday lights
When
Nov 20 to Jan 3
Time
5–9pm
Price
Adults from $28, kids $18, 2 and under free; parking $15 in advance
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Ups-N-Downtown Roller Rink

Maple Street, Downtown Escondido · Maple Street south of Grand Ave, Escondido, CA 92025

Holiday lights
When
Dec 1 to Dec 31
Time
Thu–Fri 4–8pm, Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–4pm
Price
$5 rink fee, $5 skate rental
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

Guides

More December guides for San Diego

Santa visits in San DiegoBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in San DiegoDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in San DiegoAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in San Diego

November: things to do in San DiegoEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in San DiegoFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree 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 pricesLibrary storytimes in San DiegoBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in San DiegoHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in San DiegoParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in San DiegoKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas 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 flaggedChristmas markets in San DiegoChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in San DiegoWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in San DiegoDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in San Diego: the FAQ

20 dated listings so far, including Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec 4), December Nights (Dec 4 to Dec 5), Christmas on Crystal Pier (Dec 5) and Ocean Beach Holiday Parade (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting (Dec 4), December Nights (Dec 4 to Dec 5), Christmas on Crystal Pier (Dec 5), Ocean Beach Holiday Parade (Dec 5) and Spirit of Christmas & Community Tree Lighting (Dec 5), plus 7 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in San Diego.

8 start this December: December Nights (Dec 4 to Dec 5), Starlight Parade & Festival (Dec 5), Del Mar Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 6), Santa at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration (Nov 13 to Jan 3) and Lightscape (Nov 20 to Jan 3), plus 3 more below.

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

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

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