December
1
A special guest from the
North Pole will visit the
little ones during the 20th
annual Little Italy Tree
Lighting and Christmas
Village festivities.
8–Jan. 1
During the Jungle Bells
celebration, the world-
famous San Diego Zoo
transforms into a winter
wonderland complete with
festive carolers, acrobatic
elves and illuminated
animal sculptures.
9
The San Diego Bay Parade
of Lights brings dozens of
boats covered in dazzling
tropical decor to more than
100,000 cheering spectators
(also Dec. 16).
9
Raise a glass and celebrate
the city’s lively downtown
cocktail scene at Toast of
Gaslamp.
27–30
Check out more than 400
cars, trucks and SUVs at
the San Diego International
Auto Show at the
convention center.
31
San Diego is home to college
football’s Holiday Bowl, now
in its 41st year. Don’t miss
the country’s largest balloon
parade along the waterfront
ahead of the big game.
January
13–14
Indulge in the edible
extravaganza that is San
Diego Restaurant Week.
19–20
Get a jump on your next
vacation at the San Diego
Travel & Adventure Show.
31
Attend movie screenings,
workshops, panels and
parties at the San Diego
Black Film Festival.
24–27
Cheer on some of the PGA
Tour’s finest at the annual
Farmers Insurance Open on
the world-class Torrey Pines
Golf Course.
February
7–18
Ring in the Year of the
Pig at the 37th annual
San Diego Chinese New
Year Fair.
1–28
Save a few bucks while
increasing your cultural IQ
with discount admission
to more than 40 museums
during Museum Month.
7–17
Learn more about Jewish
culture around the world
through cinema at the 29th
annual San Diego Jewish
Film Festival.
10
Celebrate New Orleans
culture and Carnival-
inspired cocktails at the Big
Easy Booze & Bites Tour.
March
1–3
Dance all day and into
the night as electronic
dance music DJs take over
Waterfront Park for the
popular CRSSD Festival.
5
Fat Tuesday festivities
come to San Diego for the
Gaslamp Quarter Mardi
Gras Celebration.
10
Cheer on San Diego
Half Marathon competitors
as they run past Petco Park,
San Diego Bay, Spanish
Landing Park and
Liberty Station.
14–24
The San Diego Latino Film
Festival, now in its 26th
year, showcases original
works from 2018.
16
Go green with step dancers,
folk singers and Celtic
cuisine at the St. Patrick’s
Day Parade and Irish
Festival in Balboa Park.
24
Sweet stations line the
routes of the Hot Chocolate
5K and 15K races.
DECEMBER NIGHTS
DECEMBER 7–8
Ring in the holiday
season with family-
friendly entertainment
and free museum
admission at Balboa
Park’s December
Nights celebration.
ART SAN DIEGO
OCTOBER 18–21
The county’s largest
contemporary fine art
show celebrates its
10th anniversary at the
Del Mar Fairgrounds.
SHAMROCK
MARCH 17
Find a pot of gold—and a lot of green beer—
when ShamROCK turns 50,000 square feet of
Downtown San Diego into St. Patty’s Day central.
GASLAMP
HOLIDAY PET
PARADE
DECEMBER 16
See creatively costumed
creatures promenade
through Downtown
San Diego in the
pawpular—er, popular—
Gaslamp Holiday
Pet Parade.
