Garden of Lights at San Diego Botanic Garden
December 6 – 23 and 26 – 30, 5 – 9 pm
Win Free Tickets!
After the sun goes down, San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland. Bring the family and experience the magic as 100,000 sparkling lights illuminate the Garden for a magical holiday experience. Guests can view the lights throughout several spectacular Garden areas, including the iconic Lawn Garden, Tropical Rainforest, Waterfall Deck, Undersea Succulent Garden, Eucalyptus Grove, Seeds of Wonder (children’s area) and Bamboo Garden, containing the nation’s largest collection of bamboo.
Join in the fun that includes horse-drawn wagon rides winding through several of the Garden’s enchanting 4-miles of trails. Enjoy marshmallow roasting, live music and an assortment of holiday refreshments. To keep warm, enjoy hot mulled wine (on select evenings) and even snow (also falling on select evenings). The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a visit with Santa, who makes a special guest appearance at the Garden again this year, spreading holiday cheer to both young and old alike.
Members $8; seniors, active military, and students $10; non-members $14; Children ages 3–12, $6. There will be additional fees for some activities. The Garden of Lights is presented by the County of San Diego and is sponsored by Rush Press, Shea Homes and Arctic Glacier (in-kind).
The San Diego Botanic Garden is located at 230 Quail Gardens Drive in Encinitas. For more information call (760) 436-3036 or visit SDBGarden.org/lights.htm.
Win Free Tickets!
Enter to win a free pair of tickets to Garden of Lights at San Diego Botanic Garden. Just visit www.NorthCountySun.com and fill in the simple entry form. Ticket winners will be randomly selected and contacted by phone and email, so enter the best phone number to reach you. We do not leave voice messages. Best of luck and see you at the Garden of Lights!
CHRISTMAS LIGHTED HOMES, NEIGHBORHOODS, ATTRACTIONS AND OTHER DISPLAYS
(not responsible for non-existing lighted homes, holiday theme changes, or date and time changes. Please do further research to confirm.)
There’s nothing better than holiday light viewing throughout North County and San Diego! For a special holiday experience get a couple of neighbors together and go holiday light viewing while sipping on hot chocolate or hot spiced cider while listening to Christmas music.
CARLSBAD, 92009 7607 Romeria Street just off of La Costa Avenue. Every year more and more lights and decorations. Nice rock waterfall in the front yard and front bay window scene of Ski Slope and skiers.
LA COSTA, 92009 Circulo Sequoia Street in La Costa Oaks neighborhood. Many well lighted homes. In this neighborhood near La Costa Canyon High School.
ENCINITAS, Coast Hwy 101 at the Self Realization Fellowship Center (SRF) Overlooking Swamis Beach, the unique building structure is a beautiful sight to see in colorful lights with the message “Joy to the World.”
OLIVENHAIN, 92024 Just off Rancho Santa Fe Road at 11th and Marisa. Many beautifully lighted large homes. Tastefully decorated with lots of lights. One of the houses sometimes has a hot chocolate stand. Kids earned over $300 in one night with just “donations.”
SAN MARCOS, 92069
1639 Knob Hill.
Off Nordahl Rd. Between Tam O’ Shanter Dr. & Augusta Dr. 23rd year of decorating.
90,000+ lights plus Carnival, North Pole, and Santa's Wild Animal Park themes.
Nov. 24 to Dec. 30, 5-9 pm.
See Santa from 6:30-8pm on Dec. 10-23.
www.christmasonknobhill.com
CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH, 92128
Fairway Village, west side of Stoney Gate Pl. 85+ homes decorated.
Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, 5:30-10:30 pm.
Neighborhood Block Party on Dec. 17, with food, entertainment, Santa, musicians, carolers and more, from 6-10 p.m.
POWAY, 92064
12631 Stoutwood St.
Off Twin Peaks Rd. & Deerwood St.
Nicknamed “The Griswolds.”
Dec. 1 to Jan. 1, 5:30-10 pm weekdays, 11 pm weekends.
Hickory Ct./Hickory St., 12659 Butterwood Ct. and Rockrose Ct.
All off Twin Peaks Rd. & Silverset St.
named “Candy Cane Courts.”
Entire cul-de-sacs are lit up.
Dec. 10 to Dec. 24, 6-9 pm.
RANCHO PENASQUITOS, on
Oviedo St., 92129.
Off Black Mountain Rd.
“Christmas Card Lane.”
Lighted Christmas cards in front of every home. Also enter off Twin Trails Dr., Carmel Mountain Rd., (southwest corner of the area), Ellingham St., Renato St., Oviedo St., Twin Trails Dr., Barrymore St., Rotherham Ave., Talca Ave., Talca Ct., Allenbrook Way, Davenport Ave., Amber Sky Ln.
Dec. 11 to Dec. 31, dusk-10 pm.
FALLBROOK Reche Road just West of Green Canyon. Over 100,000 lights that are cooreographed to music. Snow machines add to the effect. Lights are on thru New Years night, 6pm - 9pm Tues-Sun, with display staying on longer the week of Christmas. Just enter U-turn driveway from the West and tune your car radio to 90.5FM.
FALLBROOK Curtis Mueller's spectacular Christmas light show featuring concert lighting effects, lasers, and fog. Visit www.brightchristmasshow.com for show schedule and address.
CLAIREMONT, 92117
Lana Dr. & Jamar.
Off Mt. Abernathy Ave.
Circular street. 40+ homes decorated.
Dec. 10- 27.
4670 Norwalk Ave.
Off Clairemont Mesa Blvd./Moraga Ave.
Dec. 11 to Jan. 1, 7-10 pm, weekends 7-11 pm.
LA MESA, Bob’s Christmas Wonderland 7171 Cornell, La Mesa. Bob's Christmas Wonderland in La Mesa is a single residence with the heart of an entire neighborhood. Visitors are welcomed with artisan detailed decorations including trains, many automated, moving pieces as well as a miniature drive-in theater playing "Disney's Magical Christmas." Hot chocolate, apple cider and fresh popcorn are available.
ALLIED GARDENS, 92120
7048 Hillsboro St.
Off Waring and Princess View.
Dec. 10 - 24, dusk-10 pm.
CHULA VISTA, 91910, 91911, 91914, 91915
Whitney St./Mankato.
Circle between First and Second Ave. off H St. & 1st Ave. “Christmas Circle.”
55+ homes decorated.
Dec. 10 - 26, 5-10 pm.
EAST SAN DIEGO, 92113
1523 48th St.
Off Federal Blvd. & 48 St.
Dec. 4-24, 5-10 pm.
4641 Craigie St.
Off Highway 94 and 47th.
Nicely decorated home.
Dec. 10 - 24. Dusk to 10 pm
EL CAJON, 92021
Jingle Bell Hill (also known as Pepper Dr. Lights).
Solomon Ave./Pegeen Pl. and surrounding area.
Off 67 & Bradley. Celebrating the Reason theme.
Dec. 9-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm.
11456 Pegeen Pl.
Nightmare Before Christmas theme, complete with Jack, Sally, Zero, the Mayor & Oogie Boogie.
Dec. 5-26, Mon-Th 6-9 pm, Fri-Sun 6-10 pm.
LOMITA, 92114 (near Lemon Grove)
689 Meadowbrook Dr.
Off Jamacha Rd. South of Lemon Grove.
Many lights on home.
Dec. 8 to Jan. 1, dusk to 10 pm.
Santa and Mrs. Claus may be out to greet the week of Dec. 17 - 23.
OCEAN BEACH 4729 Newport Ave, Ocean Beach. The Olson family's gift to the community, their home's lights are synchronizedmsMusic (FM 89.7) and operate Monday - Thursday, and Sunday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 6 to 11 p.m. Map
SAN CARLOS, 92119
6296 Lake Arrowhead Dr.
Between Dallas and Lake Murray
Lights, Santa Clause, animated window scenes
Dec. 5 to Dec. 27, dusk to 10pm.
SAN CARLOS, 92119 Block of 7900 and 8000 Hillandale Dr.
Off Mission Gorge & Deerfield.
Many lights, plus tree on top of home.
Dec. 1 - 31, 5-9 pm.
SANTEE, 92071
Sunburst Santee.
Tomel Court, off Magnolia.
Many homes, Starlight Circle.
Dec. 17 to Dec. 26, 7-10 pm.
SANTEE, 92071 9835 Pebble Beach Dr.
Displays on house and yard set up to music.
Dec. 1 to Dec. 31, dusk to 10pm
SERRA MESA/MISSION VILLAGE, 92123
2621 Raymell Dr.
Yard decorated like Christmas Town from A Nightmare Before Christmas.
Dec. 10 to Dec. 30, dusk-10 pm.
SERRA MESA/MISSION VILLAGE 92123- Yard decorated as Christmas Town from A Nightmare Before Christmas. Dec. 10 to Dec. 24, dusk to 10pm.
TIERRASANTA, 92124
5306 Belardo Dr.
Off Via Valarta & Via Playa De Cortes.
95,000 lights,including many homemade decorations, all sequenced and animated to music.
Tune radio to 89.7 FM to hear the lights dance.
Dec. 1 to Dec. 26, 5:30-10 pm.
www.belardolights.com
11626 Papagallo Ct.
Off Colina Dorado or Calle De Vida. Thomas the Tank Engine theme.
Dec. 3 to Dec. 30, 6-10 pm.
10927 Baroque Lane.
A North Pole themed Christmas featuring a 20-ft lighted Santa and a Christmas Village.
Dec. 9 - 28, 6-9:30 pm.
LEGOLAND Holiday Snow Days.
Real snow! Snowball targets, build a snowman with Lego accessories, see holiday Lego displays.
Dec.1 – 31.
Nightly tree lighting at 5 pm Dec. 1 - Dec. 24
Nightly firework Dec. 26-31.
760-918-5346. www.legoland.com
SAN DIEGO Gaslamp for the Holidays.
Downtown San Diego.
Trees of the Gaslamp will be illuminated from Dec. 1 to Jan. 3, 5 pm-midnight.
www.gaslamp.org
Balboa Park December Nights Dec 6 -7. San Diego Premier Festival with vendors and entertainment. Various museums open, parade, holiday lights, music and food vendors. www.balboapark.org.
Hotel Del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave., Coronado.
Tree in the lobby is beautifully decorated plus 100,000 lights illuminate the resort from Dec. 1 to Jan. 5.
619-522-8490, www.hoteldel.com
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Over 100 vessels. Begins on Quivira Basin.
Dec. 14, starts at 7 pm and ends with fireworks at 9 pm.
858-488-0501, www.missionbayparadeoflights.org
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights
Boats decorated in holiday lights circle Oceanside Harbor.
Sponsored by the Oceanside Yacht Club.
Dec. 14, 7pm. 760-722-5751.
San Diego Bay Boat Parade of Lights
42nd Anniversary, Toy Parade theme Dec. 8 and December 15.
Fireworks, 5:30 pm then parade til 9 pm.
Starts off at Shelter Island, goes through the harbor and ends at the Ferry Landing on Coronado.
www.sdparadeoflights.org.
San Diego Botanic Garden “Garden of Lights”
230 Quail Gardens Dr., Encinitas 100,000+ lights illuminating the plants and trees
Dec. 7 – 30. Nutcracker exhibit, marshmallow roasting, live music, kid’s crafts.
760-436-3036. www.SDBGarden.org
San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells
Balboa Park.
Dec. 13 to Jan. 2.
Lighted animal figures, bell ringers, nightly tree-lighting ceremony,
carolers, interactive animal shows.
619-231-1515
www.sandiegozoo.org
SeaWorld Christmas Tree of Lights. And SnowWorld. The Skytower lights will sparkle after dark. Nightly at 6pm Weekends Dec 1- Jan 4, Daily. Call for information 619-231 1515
or visit www.seaworld.com
Disney On Ice Presents Let’s Celebrate
January 21 - 25
It’s one colossal party on ice, with all of Disney’s favorite friends at Disney On Ice presents Let’s Celebrate! Presented by YoKids Organic Yogurt. Disney on Ice takes place at Valley View Casino Center from Jan 21 – 25.
Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald and Goofy as they celebrate a Very Merry Unbirthday Party with Alice and the Mad Hatter; a Royal Valentine’s Day Ball with Disney Princesses, including Cinderella, Ariel, Belle and Tiana; a Hawaiian luau with Lilo & Stitch; a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin; a winter wonderland with Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear; a Halloween haunt with the Disney villains and more in a magical medley of holidays, celebrations and festivities from around the globe. Come join the celebration!
Valley View Casino Center is located at 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego, 92110. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. For more information visit www.disneyonice.com
Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks and Snow Fun
(check listings for up-to-date- days and times)
Indoor
Iceoplex in Escondido: 555 N. Tulip, Escondido 92025 (760) 489-5550 www.iceoplexescondido.com
UTC Ice Sports Center in UTC Plaza 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, SD 92122 (858) 452-9110 www.utcice.com
Outdoor
Skating and Snow Hill at Poway Park 92064 www.poway.org
Sycuan’s Fantasy On Ice – Downtown San Diego at Horton Square www.fantasyonicesd.com
Skating By the Sea- Hotel Del Coronado www.hoteldel.com
SeaWorld at SeaWorld in San Diego www.seaworld.com.
Viejas Outlet Center across the street from Viejas Casino www.shopviejas.com
Otay Ranch Ice Rink at Otay Ranch Town Center www.otayranchtowncenter.com
Legoland Holiday Snow Days with snow fun and tubing www.legoland.com
San Diego Botanic Garden Snow Days www.sdbgarden.org
Sycuan’s Fantasy On Ice: A Cool Way to Help Kids
Open now through January 4
Ice skating outside at Horton Square in San Diego is under way! Rady Children's Hospital Auxiliary, SENTRE Partners and Friends of Rady Children’s have teamed up to present Fantasy on Ice, a wonderful way to enjoy the holidays with your family.
The outdoor ice rink is located at Horton Square, in front of Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego and will remain open until January 5. Enjoy special holiday events and activities including their "Holiday on Horton Square" tree-lighting ceremony and a television special sponsored by NBC 7 San Diego. Proceeds from this event benefit the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children's Hospital.
Adult-$14, Child-$12, Military-$10, RCHSD Employee-$10. To make a donation to the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, please call (858) 966-5887 or visit www.fantasyonicesd.com.
Outdoor Skating Rink and Snow Hill at Winterfest in Poway Community Park
January 10 – 11, Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Mon 1-9pm
The coolest place this winter is the ice skating rink at Poway Community Park which hosts the City of Poway's Winterfest. The event features an outdoor synthetic ice skating rink, free arts and crafts, kids karaoke, musical entertainment, and more. A snow hill for sledding will be featured on Saturday, December 18. Over 3,000 children and adults are expected to attend. Except for the ice skating, everything is free, including the snow hill.
Skating costs $5 for ages 2-17 and $7 for ages 18+. Skate rental is included or participants can bring their own ice skates. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Community Services Office in Poway City Hall, at the Poway Community Swim Center or online at www.poway.org. Poway Community Park is located at 13094 Civic Center Drive, Poway 92064.
Hotel del Coronado Skating by the Sea
Dec 1 – Jan 4 (closed Dec 9)
Hotel Del is Celebrating the ninth year of Skating by the Sea. Skating by the Sea is a unique Southern California experience with an outdoor ice skating rink overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The oceanfront Windsor Lawn is transformed into a spectacular ice rink with skating sessions offered daily. A portion of the skating proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego.
The ice skating experience is open now through Jan 5 and closed for one day on December 10. Check their website for various skating sessions that are held at different times throughout the day. Sessions are two hours long.
Tickets are $23 for adults and $16 for kids 10 and younger. $5 discount if you wear your own skates. The Hotel del Coronado is located at 1100 Orange Ave in Coronado. Call (619) 437-8788 or www.hoteldel.com.
Viejas Outlet Center Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
Now Open
Viejas ice skating rink in Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink. They serve hot cocoa, pizza, and popcorn. This rink is bigger than Rockefeller Center in New York City!
Don’t forget about the awesome shopping you can do at the Outlet Center while the kids are ice skating! Check their website for days and times at www.viejas.com.
Legoland Holiday Snow Days
Dec 1 – 31
During Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights, the Park’s Fun Town transforms into a winter wonderland where families throw snowballs at LEGO themed targets and build snowmen using LEGO® accessories. New this year, children can enjoy their first snow-tubing experience gliding down 7-foot tall snow-covered tube runs! www.legoland.com
San Diego Zoo’s Annual Winter Celebration - Jungle Bells
December 13 - January 4
Ring in the holidays with Jungle Bells. No holiday celebration is complete without colorful and twinkling lights and Jungle Bells is no exception. There are more than 50,000 individual lights used in the Jungle Bells décor and displays with LED bulbs to save energy. View more than 40 animal-shaped light sculptures around the Zoo by taking a festive ride on the Twinkle Light Trolly.
The San Diego Zoo’s annual winter celebration, Jungle Bells is back and this year has some new holiday cheer! During the wintery celebration guests can experience all-new holiday themed animal presentations and nightly tree lighting ceremonies. The Zoo is open from 9am until 8pm for the Jungle Bells celebration, with most of the activities concentrated in the early evening from 4 to 8pm. Guests can take a ride on the Twinkle Light Trolley or explore the nightly holiday-themed entertainment in the Koalafornia Boardwalk area.
Special wintery treats will be available at the Zoo’s restaurants like holiday cookies, gingerbread men and hot chocolate. The Zoo transforms into a wild, whimsical wonderland filled with dazzling light displays, melodious bell ringers, jumping elves, tasty treats, and the Zoo's special animal encounters. Share your wish list with Santa at Santa's Workshop, just steps away from turtles, lizards and snakes; find out who's really stirring during Dr. Zoolittle's "The Night Before Christmas" show at the Children's Zoo; applaud the Jumpin', Jammin' Elves as they perform astounding acrobatic feats to holiday tunes in the Urban Jungle; and see the Zoo from the perspective of the most famous reindeer of all aboard Rudolph's Skyfari aerial tram.
Jungle Bells is free with membership or admission, except private tours. The San Diego Zoo, located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park. On December 24 the Zoo closes at 5pm. For more information, visit www.sandiegozoo.org.
LEGOLAND® California Resort’s Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights
December 1 - 31
LEGOLAND® California Resort is gearing up for the biggest snow fall in San Diego for its holiday celebration, Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights. The winter celebration begins Nov. 29 with more than 50 tons of real snow, festive treats, holiday entertainment and family fun activities.
During Holiday Snow Days and Winter Nights, the Park’s Fun Town transforms into a winter wonderland where families throw snowballs at LEGO themed targets and build snowmen using LEGO® accessories. New this year, children can enjoy their first snow-tubing experience gliding down 7-foot tall snow-covered tube runs! Park guests can also sing along with holiday entertainment including live music featuring LEGO Friends Live, Jingle Jammers, the Big Test Holiday show and the Holiday Character Dance Party! Holiday Snow Days continue with the lighting of the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree and concludes with San Diego’s biggest Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party.
The 30-foot tall Christmas tree is created out of more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO® bricks and is adorned with more than 400 LEGO ornaments. A surprise celebrity guest will pull the switch that lights the tree during the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 2. and one lucky child selected through LEGOLAND California Resort’s Facebook Page will light the LEGO Christmas tree nightly Dec. 1 through Dec. 24. Fireworks also spark each night Dec. 26 through Dec. 30 at 7 p.m.
SEA LIFE® Aquarium joins in the holiday fun with an underwater LEGO Christmas tree, holiday-themed Daily Dive Show and a ‘green’ crafting event. The LEGOLAND Hotel also is getting in the holiday spirit with nightly entertainment, holiday- themed LEGO® daily model build contests and holiday décor exclusive to Hotel guests.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve is the biggest annual family-friendly party allowing kids to ring in 2014 without missing their bedtime! Like the famous ball dropping in Times Square, Kids’ New Year’s Eve rocks the night with special musical performances from Grammy nominated musical artists, a huge LEGO brick dropping 22-feet into the air and a spectacular fireworks display at 6 p.m.
LEGOLAND California is extending its Park hours for many days during the winter holiday.
For more Holiday Snow Days information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).
Wintery “SnowWorld” at SeaWorld
December 1 to January 4
Join SeaWorld’s season of Christmas Celebration for a wave of holiday spirit. With special holiday-themed animal shows, real snow, live reindeer, Santa and more, SeaWorld is the place to be this Christmas season. SeaWorld will be decked out more than ever before, with more than one million holiday lights and a 40-foot tree with an animated light show. Plus, Southern California’s largest Christmas tree — SeaWorld’s 320-foot Christmas Tree of Lights — shines bright above the whole park from dusk to midnight.
Visit Snow World, a winter wonderland of snowmen, snowballs, and family fun at Seaworld’s Arctic Plaza. Snow World provides lots of snow, hills for the little ones to sled down and a snowball target area. Watch Shamu and friends celebrate the holidays with music and merriment, a female vocalist and (on select dates) a community choir at the Shamu Christmas Miracles show. Shamu Stadium transforms into a winter wonderland with new lighting, music, fountains and Christmas scenes on the 80-foot-wide LED screens.
Watch the brand new Christmas-themed dolphin show, or visit Santa’s Christmas Village where guests can mingle with Christmas characters, enjoy a sweet treat such as a waffle-on-a-stick, and, on select dates, get a photo with Santa. Plus, Mrs. Claus invites everyone to bring their Christmas cheer to help her light a festive 40-foot tree.
Be sure not to miss The Pets Rule Christmas show featuring the shelter-adopted stars of the park’s Pets Rule! Show and check out the Reindeer Training Academy. With everything from sleds to sea lions, and from Santa to Shamu, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is where holiday memories are made. Winter events are included with park admission. Event dates and times are subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Sea World is located at 500 Sea World Drive in San Diego. For more information call (800) 257-4268 or visit www.SeaWorldSanDiego.com
