As the holidays draw near, California sparkles with festive cheer and joyful celebrations. From enchanting light displays to holiday pop-up bars, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the holiday spirit!

San Diego Holiday Events

Lightscape: Holiday Lights Get the Glow-Up - Encinitas

The internationally acclaimed light experience Lightscape returns to the San Diego Botanic Garden for its third year. On select nights from Friday, November 15 through Sunday, January 5, explore the whimsy of nature through music, light, and color. Reimagined for 2024, this one-of-a-kind, immersive experience at the garden will guide visitors through a festive world of wonder with over one million twinkling lights featuring light installations designed by international artists. Enjoy hot chocolate and other seasonal treats while exploring the one-mile illuminated trail featuring brand-new installations including a Flame Skimmer Dragonfly, along with some returning favorites including the Winter Cathedral and California Poppies, featuring over 300 illuminated golden poppies. One of four locations in the United States, San Diego is Lightscape's only West Coast location.

Friends laughing over a charcuterie board at Lakehouse Resort — *Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lakehouse*

Lakehouse Resort: Lakeside Holiday Experience & Pop-Up Bar - San Marcos

Every weekend from Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 29, experience the magic of winter at Lakehouse Resort's enchanting lakeside Winter Wonderland experience. Nestled along the 80-acre Lake San Marcos, guests will be greeted by twinkling lights illuminating the Lakeside Lawn. Indulge in an array of festive treats, warm drinks and exclusive lakeside igloo dining complete with twinkle lights, tapas and wine to celebrate the joy of the season with friends and family. For the little ones, the Frozen Fun Zone features a nostalgic Polar Express-inspired Train Ride, s’mores by the fire and a Build-a-Buddy station where they can create their very own stuffed animal. Plus, families can capture the joy of the season with photos with Santa for $20, available on Saturdays only. Don’t miss the Candy Cane Cruises on Lake San Marcos or the famed Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail experience, Miracle at Brickmans for even more festive fun! Entry tickets to Winter Wonderland are $5 per person for guests over 10, with additional attraction tickets, food, and drinks available for purchase. Admission is free for hotel guests. Plus, enjoy festive cocktails at Lakehouse Resort’s main dining outpost, Brickmans, as the famed Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail experience, Miracle, will go from November 29 through December 31. Enjoy festive original cocktails, over-the-top decorations and kitschy glassware that bring the holiday season to life! Guests can also purchase this year’s festive holiday mug collection, and Miracle will donate 10% of proceeds from the Santa’s Head and Santa’s Pants mugs to its charity partner, Seva Foundation.

A large boat lit up at night for Christmas — *Photo Credit: Zach Cordner*

Oceanside: Get Festive During “The Season of Swellness” - Oceanside

Oceanside is affectionately known as Southern California’s most authentic beach town and the destination shines during the winter months, coined “The Season of Swellness,” during which the city enjoys smaller crowds, bigger waves, great weather and festive events. On Thursday, December 5, Oceanside hosts the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at the Regal Cinema Plaza, located at 401 Mission Avenue in Oceanside, in early December. Performances and family activities kick off the event, followed by Santa arriving on a vintage fire truck and a countdown to the tree lighting. Stick around after the tree lighting to shop local at the recurring Holiday-themed Sunset Market, held by MainStreet Oceanside each Thursday in December from 5-9pm. Don’t miss a jolly coastal experience on Saturday, December 14 from 11am-3pm, when Oceanside Adventures will be offering Boat Rides with Santa! Make a reservation in advance for special twenty minute cruises with St. Nick that make for the perfect holiday photo opp ($5 per person, $3 for kids 2 and under). Return to the Oceanside Harbor that evening to enjoy the annual Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights, voted one of the 10 best holiday parades in the country by USA Today. The parade will be held on Saturday, December 14 at 7pm at the Oceanside Harbor, during which fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dinghies dress up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers.

The Lafayette Hotel: A Very Maximalist Xmas - North Park

For an over the top California Christmas, check into the historic Lafayette Hotel. With a lobby doused floor to ceiling in holiday decorations, half a dozen food and beverage concepts, a supper club and entertainment venue, two-lane bowling alley, historic pool, and bungalows designed for group travel, The Lafayette Hotel is a maximalist oasis deserving of its guests’ full attention. All season long, festive cocktails such as a warming Hot Toddy with whiskey, chai, yerba santa, allspice, apple, ginger and cardamom, the jolly and juicy Tiki with aged rum, coconut, banana, orange, lime and Chinese Five Spice, and a lightly fruited Old Fashioned with bourbon, cognac, fig, creme de cacao and dry vermouth will be available at The Lobby Bar. In addition, the signature Lafayette Eggnog is available for room service as a non alcoholic beverage that guests can spike with their favorite spiced rum from the rooms’ not-so-mini minibar. Silky and rich with notes of vanilla, caramel, baking spice, almond and served in a signature Santa mug, the Lafayette Eggnog will make you feel right at home.

Kids laughing in front of mascot starfish at Belmont Park — *Photo Credit: Courtesy of Belmont Park*

Belmont Park: One Million Twinkling Lights & Holiday Pop-Up Bar - Mission Beach

Welcome the festive season at Belmont Park, San Diego’s ultimate beachside holiday destination. The park will sparkle with one million twinkling lights, radiant decorations, indulgent desserts, cozy seasonal beverages and more during Winter Wonder from Friday, November 15 through Sunday, January 5. The park’s favorite rides and attractions will also be sprinkled with holiday cheer, including Peppermint Putt Putt at Tiki Wonderland, Sweet Escape at Escapology and Polar Plunge at Plunge Pool. Enjoy live music every Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 6pm, along with community performances from 1pm to 2pm. Then, raise a glass and feel jolly this season with the return of the holiday cocktail pop-up experience, Miracle at Draft from Friday, November 22 through Sunday, January 5 featuring festive original cocktails, over-the-top decorations, and cheerful mug designs to bring the holiday season to life.

Santa Barbara Holiday Events

Exterior of the Kimpton Canary in Santa Barbara — *Photo Credit: Courtesy of Kimpton Canary*

Kimpton Canary Santa Barbara

Providing Spanish-style sophistication in The American Riviera, The Kimpton Canary Hotel offers unparalleled hospitality, cozy ambiance, and prime location in the heart of Santa Barbara. Starting Friday, November 1 through January 2025, the Kimpton Canary is whisking guests away to their ‘Winter Chalet’ with cozy and timeless experiences, food and beverage offerings, events and hotel packages. The ‘Winter Chalet” theme extends across all Kimpton properties, and the Canary embodies the theme to create experiences only found in Santa Barbara. Events throughout the season include wintery-themed craft classes in partnership with local vendors (think ribbon wreath making and ‘Crochet & Cocktails’ workshops), a Full Moon Sound Bath, and “Chalet Day” on Saturday, December 21 with an extended social hour with J Vineyards & Winery, intention setting postcards, glass engraving experiences and live music. Events will be continuously added to the hotel’s happenings page. The Kimpton Canary brings the magic of a winter alpine retreat to life for young guests with the ‘Petit Chalet’ package, which transforms the hotel room into a cozy winter wonderland with a mini pop-up A-frame tent, soft blankets, plush pillows and a winter activity kit. At Finch & Fork, the Canary’s iconic and inviting signature restaurant and bar, a selection of chalet-inspired cocktails and a retro punch bowl cocktail will be added to the bar menu, as well as wintery and warming bar bites like Chili, Winter Flatbread, Potato Chips & Caviar and more. For a wellness focused start to the New Year, guests can take advantage of the Canary’s complimentary rooftop yoga classes on Saturdays, or book the ‘Wellness Retreat’ package on Friday, January 17, in partnership with mindfulness and meditation instructor, Terri Barnett.

The bar at the Shaker Mill in Santa Barbara — *Photo Credit: Lure Digital*

Shaker Mill: Nightmare Before Christmas Pop-Up - Santa Barbara

Starting Wednesday, October 30th, Shaker Mill, the cocktail bar located in Downtown Santa Barbara inspired by the fusion of Coastal Southern California cocktails and al fresco drinking, has decked its halls with a “Nightmare Before Christmas“ inspired Holiday Pop-Up. Visit Shaker Mill and see “Nightmare Before Christmas” decorations such as a giant Oogie Boogie and Jack Skellington inflatables and a decked-out Christmas tree. Sip on delicious seasonal-themed cocktails inspired by the movie and enjoy the Jack Skellington made with London Dry Gin, French Vermouth, Christmas Tree, Creme de Menthe and bitter Orange; What's This? Made with Bourbon, Caribbean All Spice, Pineapple, Lime and sno; Lock, Shock and Barrel made with Vodka, Espresso, Peppermint, Cacao, Amaro Braulio. Guests can roll the dice like Oogie Boogie and take a chance on a Dice Shot with 11 different options. Drinks are served in “Nightmare Before Christmas” themed mugs, cups and garnished with holiday cheer.

Tis the Season! Holiday Happenings in San Diego and Santa Barbara