There’s something I’ve noticed about San Diego. It seems like people love to decorate their houses, and really get into the spirit of holidays – more than they were in my hometown in Connecticut. Even for Halloween, the houses in my neighborhood really went above and beyond, and there are so many houses in the area with lights, some incredibly intricate, where you know the owners put in days of work to make their house so festive.

My guess is it’s the weather. It isn’t cold, and doesn’t rain or snow, so people are more likely to spend the time outside facing the weather conditions (or lack thereof) to decorate their homes. But it goes the other way too – it isn’t cold, and doesn’t snow, so people are more likely to spend the time making their spaces as festive as possible. And it’s not even houses that do this, but all kinds of businesses and parks as well.

There are some really great holiday events (family- and fitness-themed, and events for everyone) happening in San Diego and I’m excited to share some of those with you.

Family

Breakfast with Santa – Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14, 9:00-10:30 am

Menorah Lighting at Westfield UTC – Tuesday, December 16, 6:00-8:00 pm

Pancake Breakfast with Santa – Saturday, December 20, 9:00 am

Photos with Santa – various dates and times through Wednesday, December 24

Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park – various dates through Wednesday, December 24

It’s Santa Time at Westfield UTC – Wednesday, December 24

Winter Nights at Westfield UTC – every Saturday until Christmas, 5:00-8:00 pm

Holiday Snow Days at Legoland – various dates through Sunday, January 4

Fitness (and ice skating)

Santa Run (Pacific Beach) – Saturday, December 13

Ultimate Santa Run (Point Loma) – Saturday, December 13

Jingle Bell Run/Walk – Saturday, December 13

Red Nose 5k Run/Walk – Friday, December 19

San Diego Hot Buttered Run 10k and Kids Kandy Kane 5k – Sunday, December 21

Bumble Bee 5k Run (as part of the Holiday Bowl) – Friday, December 26

Holiday Half Marathon – Sunday, December 28, 7:30 am

Skating by the Sea (Coronado) – various dates and times until Sunday, January 4

Sycuan’s Fantasy on Ice (Gaslamp) – various dates and times until Sunday, January 4

Everyone

La Mesa Christmas in the Village – Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, 5:00-10:00 pm

Christmas in Old Poway Park –  Saturday, December 13, 3:30-8:30 pm

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights – Sunday, December 14 and Sunday, December 21, 5:30-9:00 pm

California Ballet Company, The Nutcracker – Saturday, December 13 through Sunday, December 21

Holiday Gift Wrapping – various dates and times through Wednesday, December 24

A Christmas Carol – various dates and times through Sunday, December 28

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What events will you be attending this holiday season?