Newsletter: Ugly sweaters, parking and best snacks: The ultimate guide to December Nights in Balboa Park
Plus, two bus routes through Balboa Park will be diverted this weekend due to the large-scale holiday event.
Before we get into this week’s newsletter, thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to our end-of-year fundraiser thus far! If you have a few bucks to spare, we’d appreciate any support you’re able to give to help us reach our goal of $20k. The money will be used to host more listening sessions and community conversations in 2026.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and this weekend is my all-time favorite annual event in San Diego: December Nights.
I first attended the festival in Balboa Park nearly two decades ago as a relative newbie to the region. During my first visit, I was awestruck by the festive holiday light displays, tasty soul-fulfilling bowls of soupe à l’oignon from the House of France, joyous sounds of carol singers and free visits to the many museums throughout the park.
This year, December Nights will feature more than 1,600 performers in 70 groups who will sing and dance on five stages throughout the event, according to the city. As always, there will be global foods and a spirits garden offered from the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, vendors selling gift items and the park’s museums open with free admission.
This year will also include some new features, like a holiday light show and the Après Tavern, a holiday-themed cocktail lounge in the Plaza de Panama for those ages 21 and older. Frankie J — a Tijuana-born, San Diego-raised musician — will perform live on the Broadway San Diego main stage in Plaza de Panama at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
In the Family Zone, guests can stop by the food truck alley at Village Place, make do-it-yourself holiday art projects for kids in the Municipal Gym, take photos with Santa Claus and watch “Frozen” and “Ice Age” on the lawn.
The city expects nearly 350,000 people to attend December Nights this year. If this is your first time or you’re a yearly regular, here is my ultimate guide to making it one of the best weekends of the year.
Dress for success
Whether you’re donning an ugly holiday sweater or a cute winter fit, it is important to wear layers when headed to December Nights. The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures this weekend will likely range from a high of 70 degrees to a low of 50 degrees, so layering your T-shirts with toasty coats, gloves and mittens will help you stay comfortable throughout the evening.
Transportation
My first year going to December Nights, my then roommate and I tried to find nearby parking, which was an absolute failure. We got stuck in stop-and-go traffic, couldn’t find a parking spot in Balboa Park once we had finally arrived, and ended up parking downtown and walking uphill to get to the festivities.
Over the years, I’ve learned to either walk, bike, take a bus, grab a ride share or park as close as I can get (usually University Heights or downtown), and use some combination of transportation to get dropped off near the park’s edge. While the bus-only lanes down Park Boulevard will be open for private vehicle use during the festival — diverting the Route 7 and Rapid 215 buses to the 163 — MTS will offer shuttles from 3 to 11 p.m. Friday and 2 to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
When to show up
December Nights is held on Friday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. My strategy for arrival time depends on what my ambitions are for the night, but I usually strive to get there as early as possible.
Showing up around kick off times means that the park is not yet overly crowded, it’s easy to hop in and out of museums, and food stalls don’t yet have extra long lines. Plus, it means I can stay until the holiday lights start to shine, and still get my fill of everything.
Must do activities
Visiting museums is one of my favorite parts of December Nights, but I also love stopping by the Organ Pavillion and other stages to catch some of the live performances.
My snacks for the night always come from the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. I like to go with friends so I can sample a variety of treats, and I always wrap up the night sipping cocktails at the international liquor garden.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Bus service and detours during December Nights
While MTS and San Diego city officials encourage public transit use to attend December Nights in Balboa Park, bus routes 7 and 215 will both be diverted away from Balboa Park during the large-scale holiday event. Instead, a looping shuttle will bring attendees from the San Diego City College transit hub and parking lots up to the park.
— Lauren J. Mapp
From demonstrations against offshore drilling and immigration arrests to holiday celebrations, here’s what’s happening in San Diego County this week. We also have separate lists of upcoming food distribution events and other holiday season happenings.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Ending hunger in fertile California
Food Forward, a nonprofit that rescues surplus produce and redirects it to communities in need, has grown from a small backyard gleaning effort into a massive operation that now distributes enough fruits and vegetables to meet the daily nutritional needs of more than 300,000 people. As federal support for food assistance programs becomes increasingly unstable, the organization’s independent, scalable model has become a crucial lifeline for food-insecure families across California and beyond.
— Story by Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main
Immigration agents equipped with tactical gear and rifles have descended on construction sites, restaurants, factories, car washes and farms, upending life for undocumented workers nationwide. As militarized crackdowns have become more common in many parts of the country, employers and unions alike have taken new steps to protect their workers.
— Story by Jeremy Lindenfeld, Capital & Main
Other news
More than a dozen pets have landed in local animal shelters after their owners were deported, according to KPBS. That number is suspected to be an undercount as shelters don’t ask about immigration status of former pet owners during the intake process.
On Tuesday, Carlsbad City Council voted to ban the use of e-bikes for kids age 12 and under, inewsource reported. The city is also looking into whether it can ban riders under 16 from using e-bikes with passengers.
A school board member in San Ysidro is facing an arrest warrant related to her 2021 conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to Voice of San Diego. Trustee Kenia Peraza said she didn’t know about the three-year-old bench warrant until this week, and previously thought she had followed all necessary legal requirements.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 5
December Nights: San Diego’s annual December Nights holiday festival returns to Balboa Park, featuring global food vendors, live entertainment, holiday lights and family-friendly activities. Forever Balboa Park is looking for volunteers to help out during the festivities. Email volunteer@balboapark.org to sign up. Dec. 5 from 3 t- 11 p.m.; Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Light Up Logan: The Logan Heights Community Development Corporation is hosting a holiday market, toy giveaway kids crafts, snow, live music and a tree lighting ceremony. Admission is free. Email info@loganheightscdc.org or call 619-858-0563 for more information. 2 - 8 p.m., The Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
Dec. 6
Toys & Joy: Roosevelt Williams III, Feeding San Diego, InspireSD and Greene Cat Liquors are giving away free toys and food to 400 families. Packages will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, but online registration is recommended. Anyone interested in supporting the program can make donations online. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Greene Cat Liquors, 5102 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Hillcrest Cleanup & Cocktails: The Hillcrest Cleanup and Cocktails is having a holiday edition of its neighborhood clean up. Participants are encouraged to wear Santa outfits or other holiday attire. Before starting the cleanup, there will be a group photo. At the end of the event, all volunteers will receive a copy of the photo. RSVP form and additional details will be released soon. 8:30 a.m., Hillcrest Sign, 499 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
SD Kollective Christmas Market: SD Kollective is hosting a community market with vendors, food and live performances at the Kujo Eats parking lot. Along with We See You San Diego, SD Kollective is collecting winter clothing and blankets during the market. 3 - 8 p.m., 3400 E 8th St., National City, California 91950
Dec. 7
Santa's Sip & Shop Holiday Market: Viridian Productions is hosting a holiday market with local makers and a visit from Santa Claus at Local Roots Boochyard in Vista. Noon - 4 p.m., 1430 Vantage Court, Suite 101, Vista, CA 92081
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