Christmas Events & Hanukkah Fests 2022: San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Keep the ho-ho-ho-ing going!

While many such holiday events as tree lightings and parades are over, festivities still abound for Hanukkah and Christmas 2022 throughout San Diego County communities.

The Jewish Festival of Lights begins Dec. 18, running through Dec. 26, while Christmas falls this year on Sunday, Dec. 25.

Peruse Patch's annual guide to menorah lightings, Santa stops, "Nutcracker" ballets, Christmas concerts and other holiday extravaganzas.

Do note: Always confirm with organizers that events are proceeding as planned when posted.

And Happy Holidays to all, from Patch!

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ALPINE:

THROUGH JAN. 8: Outdoor, Holiday Ice Skating At Viejas Outlets: Viejas Casino & Resort. Rental skates included in ticket price.

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BONSALL:

DEC. 15-18, 22-24 & 29-31: Winter Wonders and Holiday Lights. At Wild Wonders animal preserve.

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CARLSBAD:

DEC. 16-17 : 'Winter Wonderlights' Holiday Light Show & Snowfall. Festive fun at The Forum.

DEC. 16-18, 23-25 & 29-30: S'mores & Snowfall. Book a fire pit at Omni La Costa Resort!

THROUGH DEC. 16: Gelson's Markets Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Toys go to Children’s Hospital of LA, Toys for Tots, Unity Shoppe, Miracles for Kids, Miller’s Children Hospital & Barbara Sinatra Children's Center.

DEC. 17: Holiday Artisan Market. With the experts at Traveling Artisans’ Market.

DEC. 18: Oak Gallery - Artist Holiday Reception Event. Starring local, talented artists.

DEC. 17-18: Visits With Santa: The Forum. Free, but don't forget your camera.

DEC. 17: Poinsettias, Pajamas & Pancakes Brunch. "A memorable brunch starring jolly Old Saint Nick, his friends from the North Pole & Poinsettia Princess."

DEC. 21: Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting: The Forum. With games for children & refreshments.

THROUGH JAN. 8: Holidays At LEGOLAND. "So much to see and do."

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CARMEL VALLEY:

DEC. 16: Santa Visits The Super Dentists. Meet & greet with ol’ St. Nick.

DEC. 22: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting: One Paseo. Live music, kosher bites & more.

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CHULA VISTA:

DEC. 18: Chanukah Festival: Otay Ranch Town Center. Free, but prior registration required.

DEC. 25: Hanukkah 'Menorah, Movie & Chinese' - Hosted by Chabad of Chula Vista.

THROUGH DEC. 28: March and Ash Holiday Food Drive. March and Ash partners with Community Through Hope.

DEC. 31: New Year's Eve at the Living Coast: Popping into 2023. The Bubble Pirate will be joining the fun!

THROUGH JAN. 8: Sesame Place San Diego 'A Very Furry Christmas Celebration.' Festive, family-friendly fun with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends.

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CORONADO:

DEC. 18: San Diego Bay Parade Of Lights. A time-honored holiday tradition!

THROUGH JAN. 1: 'Skating By The Sea' Holiday Ice Rink: Hotel Del Coronado. "Spectacular beachfront ice rink."

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DEL MAR:

THROUGH JAN. 14: Holiday 'Glice' Skating Rink: Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Recreational skating on an eco-friendly "Glice" rink!

THROUGH DEC. 16: Gelson's Markets Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Toys go to Children’s Hospital of LA, Toys for Tots, Unity Shoppe, Miracles for Kids, Miller’s Children Hospital & Barbara Sinatra Children's Center.

DEC. 22: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting: One Paseo. Live music, kosher bites & more.

DEC. 23: Holiday Tea & Nutcracker Ballet at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Starring dancers of Scripps Performing Arts Academy.

DEC. 31: Ring in the New Year at L'Auberge Del Mar. Dinner, DJ, live music & more.

JAN. 1: New Year’s Brunch at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. "Delightful & festive prefix three-course menu."

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EL CAJON:

NOV.: Holiday 'Mother Goose Parade'- Canceled for 2022.

DEC. 17: San Diego Ballet 'The Nutcracker': The Magnolia. "San Diego Ballet brings America’s favorite holiday event to dazzling life ."

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ENCINITAS:

DEC. 16: North Coast Symphony Presents “Holiday Gems” - Concert features "The First Noel," "Around the World at Christmas Time," Christmas at the Movies, music from "FROZEN" & more.

DEC. 17: Holiday Season at Bamboo Garden Wellness Center. With live music, vendors & treats RSVP!

DEC. 18: Messiah by the SDUMC Chancel Choir. Event is free.

THROUGH DEC. 30: ‘Lightscape’ Holiday Walk-Thru: San Diego Botanic Garden. "A festive world of wonder with over 1 million twinkling lights."

JAN. 3-6: Winter Break Cooking & Ceramics Camp. At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Dieguito.

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ESCONDIDO:

DEC. 17: Wynnter Wonderland Fundraiser Presented by Wynton’s Ice Cream Co. Selfies with Santa in fundraiser for The Burn Institute through Escondido Fire Department.

DEC. 19: Santa Pays a Visit to The Super Dentists. Meet & greet with ol’ St. Nick.

DEC. 22: Chanukah Fest & Menorah Lighting: Westfield North County. Hosted by Chabad of Poway with latkes, dreidels, donuts, crafts & more.

DEC. 27-29 & JAN. 3-6: Little Explorers Winter Camp. At San Diego Children's Discovery Museum on Broadway.

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JULIAN:

THROUGH DEC. 23: Annual Victorian Christmas Teas: Julian Tea & Cottage Arts. With special, seasonal menu, plus options for children & vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

DEC. 17: Country Christmas Parade of Lights. A town tradition!

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LA JOLLA:

DEC. 21: Chanukah Celebration & Grand Menorah Lighting: La Valencia Hotel. Festivities include live music, menorah kits, latkes, doughnuts, dreidels & more.

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LA MESA:

DEC. 18: Chanukah Fest, Menorah Lighting & Drone Gelt Drop: Grossmont H.S. Football Field. Hosted by Chabad of East County.

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LEMON GROVE:

DEC. 17: Holiday Craft Fair. Supports Mount Miguel High School.

DEC. 17: Lemon Grove Toy Giveaway. Hosted by Lemon Grove Lions.

DEC. 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. With cookie & wassail reception.

THROUGH DEC. 31: Christmas in the Village Series. Select dates at My Space and Early Learning Time.

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MISSION BEACH:

DEC. 31: Noon Year Celebration. Geared for all ages at Plunge San Diego in Belmont Park.

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OCEANSIDE:

DEC. 16-18: Megill & Company's Not Your Normal Nutcracker. Whimsical modern jazz theater tells the classic tale.

DEC. 18: Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting: Regal Cinema Plaza. With donuts, gelt drop, latkes & fire show.

DEC. 18: Celebrating Music of the Season. Enjoy in-person with sing-along or via livestream.

DEC. 21: A Winter’s Eve Concert with David Arkenstone & Friends. At Oceanside Theatre.

THROUGH DEC. 22: Studio ACE Holiday Art Shop. Find your holiday gifts!

DEC. 31: Nerd Comedy New Year's Eve. LOL your way into 2023.

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PACIFIC BEACH:

THROUGH DEC. 16: Gelson's Markets Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Toys go to Children’s Hospital of LA, Toys for Tots, Unity Shoppe, Miracles for Kids, Miller’s Children Hospital & Barbara Sinatra Children's Center.

DEC. 31: New Year's Eve NYE Bar Crawl. Ring in the New Year at 10+ venues.

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POWAY:

DEC. 17: Cookies with Santa at My Gym. Space limited, so book soon.

DEC. 18: Chanukah Celebration & Train Rides: Old Poway Park. All aboard!

DEC. 22: Chanukah Fest & Menorah Lighting: Westfield North County. Hosted by Chabad of Poway with latkes, dreidels, donuts, crafts & more.

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RAMONA:

DEC. 17: Toast the Season with Country Band Dirty Confetti. At Pamo Valley Winery.

THROUGH DEC. 18: Ramona Valley Winery Holiday Wine Trail. 15+ wineries & festivities!

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RANCHO BERNARDO:

DEC. 14-18: Breakfast With Santa: Bernardo Winery. With cookie making, animal friends & more. Save your seat!

DEC. 14-18: Holiday Nights: Bernardo Winery. Five evenings of "twinkling lights and holiday magic."
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RANCHO SANTA FE:

DEC. 16-17: Holiday 'Wild Winter' & 'Wild Winter Nocturnal': Helen Woodward Animal Center. Family festivities — day or night — with Santa, critters & more.

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SAN DIEGO:

THROUGH JAN. 1: SD Zoo Holiday 'Jungle Bells' - "Twinkling lights, live entertainment, festive music & views of awe-inspiring wildlife."

DEC. 15-JAN. 1: The Westgate Hotel Holiday Teas. Offering two versions: kid-friendly & adults only.

DEC. 17: Ales N' Rails. Holiday fest for 21+ with music, ugly sweaters, trains & more at San Diego Model Railroad Museum.

DEC. 18: San Diego Bay Parade Of Lights. A time-honored holiday tradition!

DEC. 18: Holiday Parade of Lights Cruises. Book soon, as tickets sell fast.

DEC. 18: Hanukkah Celebration & Menorah Lighting: Liberty Station. "Magical, family-friendly festivity will include entertainment, packaged treats & traditional lighting of the menorah."

DEC. 18: “Deck the Cars” Cars & Coffee. At San Diego Automotive Museum.

DEC. 18: Graceband’s Elvis & Buffett Christmas Spectacular. Don those blue suede shoes!

DEC. 19: Seaport Village Hanukkah Menorah Lighting. Family-friendly fest with music & more.

DEC. 19: Home Depot Menorah-Building Workshop. Free with RSVP.

DEC. 21: A Berkley Hart Christmas. Concert at Music Box.

DEC. 21: Santa Paws Yappy Hour. With ugly sweater contest for pets.

DEC. 21: Rouleur Brewing Company Gingerbread Men Decorating. Tickets on sale.

DEC. 22: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting: One Paseo. Live music, kosher bites & more.

DEC. 24: Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise. Reservations underway.

DEC. 26-29: 42nd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration “Tribute to the Ancestors” - At WorldBeat Cultural Center.

DEC. 31: New Year's Eve NYE Bar Crawl. Ten-plus parties in one night!

THROUGH JAN. 8: Rady Children's Hospital Outdoor, Ice Skating Rink: Liberty Station. Benefits the Thriving After Cancer Program.

THROUGH JAN.8: SeaWorld Christmas Celebration & Fireworks. Select dates through holiday season.

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SAN MARCOS:

DEC. 17: Wynnter Wonderland Fundraiser Presented by Wynton’s Ice Cream Co. Selfies with Santa in fundraiser for The Burn Institute through Escondido Fire Department.

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SANTA YSABEL:

THROUGH DEC. 23: Celebration of Light. Walk-thru light display on Fridays & Saturdays at Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures.

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SANTEE:

THROUGH DEC. 24: Lights at the Lakes Holiday Light Show. Tickets on sale for drive-thru with sparkling holiday displays.

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SOLANA BEACH:

DEC. 15: Squirrel Nut Zippers - Christmas Caravan Tour w/ Christopher Wonder. Mid-week fun at Belly Up Tavern.

DEC. 21: An Evening With Abbey Road Christmas Show. Holiday time with The Beatles!

DEC. 22: Betamaxx's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party with The 80's Underground. Tickets available from Belly Up.

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SPRING VALLEY:

DEC. 16-22: Noah Homes 'Enchanted Village' Holiday-Lights Walk-Thru. Acres of "brilliantly lit trees, magical cottages, light tunnels, live entertainers, hundreds of giant candy canes, over a million lights, interactive displays & other festive decorations."

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VISTA:

DEC. 14-16: 'Jingle Terrace Live': Moonlight Amphitheatre, Brengle Terrace Park. Free event & no tickets required.

DEC. 18: Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting: Regal Cinema Plaza. Hosted by Chabad of Oceanside/Vista with donuts, gelt drop, latkes & fire show.

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ALSO SEE: Holiday, Ice Skating Rinks 2022-23 Guide: San Diego County & SoCal