December 1:
Chinese pop singer and cross dresser Li Yugang takes center stage at Civic Theatre for the two-night American premiere of Lady Zhaojun, a contemporary spin on a Han Dynasty legend.
Bring a hearty appetite to the SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off in North Park, where restaurants will serve up samples, and food trucks will be on hand for extra helpings.
San Diego Events Calendar: December 2019
SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off
December 2:
Catch your favorite dancers from season 16 of So You Think You Can Dance Live! at Balboa Theatre.
December 3:
Bring the whole family to San Diego Botanic Garden’s Botanic Wonderland: Holiday Nights in the Garden to wander through illuminated greenery and enjoy kid-friendly activities (through 12/30).
Learn from the dough pros in a hands-on pizza-making class at Officine Buona Forchetta.
December 6:
Expect lots of merriment Friday and Saturday at Balboa Park’s December Nights.
Shop for unique finds at The Local Holiday Bazaar in Liberty Station’s Arts District.
Stake out a spot along Orange Avenue for Coronado’s Annual Holiday Parade & Open House.
December 7:
Spend an evening among friends at South Park’s Holiday Walkabout & Tree Lighting event.
Browse the two-day Makers Arcade Holiday Fair at Broadway Pier’s Port Pavilion for handmade gifts from over 100 vendors, plus craft-making stations.
Stroll Westfield UTC’s Winter Nights celebration, including live music and carolers throughout the mall, plus food and crafts (also 12/14).
San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus brings down the house with the holiday spectacular Jingle, through the weekend at Balboa Theatre.
Scratch handmade and vintage goods off your gift list during the two-day Queen Bee Market at Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Make your way to India Street for the Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village, featuring a dazzling 25-foot tree in Piazza della Famiglia.
December 8:
Head to the waterfront for San Diego Bay Parade of Lights to see boats decked out in celebration of this year’s theme, “Comic-Con on the Bay” (also 12/15).
San Diego Events Calendar: December 2019
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Stand-up comedian John Leguizamo presents his show Latin History for Morons at Civic Theatre, inspired by the lack of Latinos in his son’s American history books.
Pechanga Arena becomes an opera house when legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli takes the stage.
December 11:
Soprano Ailyn Perez and tenor Joshua Guerrero come together for One Amazing Night, a Spanish-themed recital hosted by San Diego Opera at Balboa Theatre.
December 12:
Sip and shop throughout Hillcrest for the Taste ’n’ Tinis holiday bash.
December 13:
California Ballet Company presents an all-new Nutcracker at Civic Theatre (through 12/24).
December 14:
Nosh on cocktails and bites at the Toast of Gaslamp holiday shopping event.
Bring the kids and sing along with the San Diego Master Chorale as San Diego Symphony presents Noel Noel at Jacobs Music Center (through 12/21).
December 15:
Hoof it down to the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade to admire a procession of costumed animals.
San Diego Events Calendar: December 2019
Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
December 17:
The Broadway musical variety show Cirque Dreams Holidaze brings acrobatics and theatrics to California Center for the Arts, Escondido for two nights.
December 19:
Spice up the holidays with Mariachi Sol de México as they present A Merry-Achi Christmas at Balboa Theatre.
December 26:
Hit the Marina District to see the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, followed the next day by the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl.
San Diego Events Calendar: December 2019
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
December 28:
See high-flying stunts as part of A Magical Cirque Christmas show at Civic Theatre.
Perfect your footwork during the five-day San Diego Tango Festival at Wyndham San Diego Bayside.
December 31:
Tony Award winner for best musical Dear Evan Hansen hits Civic Theatre and follows one boy’s deeply personal struggle to fit in (through 1/12).
Take a trip back to the Roaring Twenties for the Gatsby’s House New Year’s Eve celebration at Hotel Republic.
Ring in 2020 at Hilton San Diego Bayfront for the Big Night San Diego New Year’s Eve party, featuring eight dance floors.
Count down to midnight at The Westgate Hotel’s Latin New Year’s Eve fiesta.
San Diego Events Calendar: December 2019
Cirque Dreams Holidaze | Photo: Ian Ibbeston
