San Diego’s signature holiday event is coming back this December.
December Nights has been a holiday tradition in San Diego since it was founded in 1978, when it was known as Christmas on the Prado. The event is free, and is held throughout Balboa Park, where visitors will enjoy a blend of music, culture, lights, and holiday cheer. It is the largest holiday festival in the city.
One of the most popular aspects of the event is the fact that many of the park’s museums are free during the festival. Among those that will be open are the Comic-Con Museum, the Fleet Science Center, and the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Spectacular lighting is part of the magic, transforming the historic architecture, gardens, and cultural institutions into a winter wonderland. Among the activities that make this event special are food vendors with an array of international cuisine; artisans with craft booths to showcase their handmade goods; live performance by school ensembles; dance troupes, and choirs; and warm beverages such as cider and cocoa to keep people warm as they stroll through the park, as San Diego can be surprisingly chilly in the winter.
December Nights takes place on December 5, from 3.00 pm until 11.00 pm and December 6, from 11.00 am until 11.00 pm. There is no charge for parking, and shuttle buses will be available from outlying lots. Handouts, which organizers of events like this can create with flyer printing and distribute widely, are an economical way to advertise them.
