Balboa Park December Nights

Balboa Park December Nights, the nation’s premier holiday festival, will take place for the 40th consecutive year on Friday, December 1 from 3-11pm and Saturday, December 2 from noon-11pm. Friends, families and the community are invited to come together for festive fun, food and attractions throughout the park, including complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5-9 pm. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 350,000 visitors to the park over two days to revel and enjoy the season.

As in years past, the event will offer seasonal entertainment for the whole family as well as festive holiday lighting throughout the Park – from the Plaza de Panama canopy – to the Botanical Building – to the landmark Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Delicious cuisine and holiday cheer are also all part of the long-standing San Diego celebration.

Entertainment for the whole family; festive holiday lighting throughout the Park – from the Plaza de Panama canopy - to the Botanical Building – to the Moreton Bay Fig Tree; delicious cuisine and holiday cheer are all part of this classic and elaborate long-standing San Diego celebration. Time-honored traditions—including food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; and musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Del Cerro Baptist’s Christmas Story Tree and more—fill the heart of Balboa Park. In addition, museums will feature a wide variety of exhibitions and entertainment, including the Timken Museum’s annual Christmas Tree displaying the exquisite Schlappi Collection of Hord and Schlappi Christmas ornaments; the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s kid-friendly and interactive exhibitions and the San Diego Natural History Museum’s Fossil Mysteries set to holiday music in the atrium.

Information on being a part of the entertainment, a vendor, or a sponsor, of Balboa Park December Nights 2017 can be found on the Balboa Park Conservancy website.