Balboa Park December Nights Festival

December 6-7, 2024

Friday 3-11 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA
Free admission, fees for food, shopping, etc.
balboapark.org

• New in 2024 ParadICE synthetic ice rink (bring your socks)
• 21 Zones
• Family Zone with Skateboard demos, crafts, facepainting, Santa visits
• Holiday Cheer & Spirits Gardens (alcoholic beverages)
• Black Hole Lounge (age 21+) at Fleet Science Museum
• 15-foot Poinsettia tree |  pints of San Diego craft beer or a glass of wine $10 at San Diego History Museum
• Free admission Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego Air & Space Museum
• Rooftop Bar at San Diego Natural History Museum
• San Diego Zoo free admission both nights after 7 p.m.!

Balboa Park December Nights, is a two-day holiday celebration of food, entertainment and fun. One of the most festive, free events in California each December combines traditional holiday choirs and musicians with a sampling of cultural offerings from many countries represented in one place. Though not organized specifically as such, the diversity of entertainers who apply to participate in the annual event offer an incredible array of dances, songs and sounds from around the globe.

The numerous museums and cultural institutions in Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park, open their doors free of charge. Festivities in the park include carolers, live music, holiday light displays, theater and dance performances and delicious foods from around the world. 

Subject to change: Traditional Santa Lucia Procession can usually be seen both nights with live performance of traditional Christmas music, and on Saturday a parade of Swedish costumes. Swedish market place includes Swedish meatballs, pea soup, home baked Swedish cookies, bread and Christmas cakes. Also served is the traditional Swedish Christmas drink, Glögg

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.