From Thanksgiving to New Year’s: The Best San Diego Holiday Events & Celebrations
If festive seaside holiday celebrations and magical photo-worthy happenings are on your agenda this season, Southern California is the place to be for fun with a variety of unique San Diego holiday events the whole family will enjoy.
Consider Humphreys Half Moon Inn your headquarters for fun this holiday season, offering everything from a delicious Thanksgiving Buffet onsite at our waterfront restaurant, Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music to the best seat in town for the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. We also have not ONE, but TWO exciting onsite New Year’s Eve celebrations, making our hotel THE place to be for the best San Diego holiday events!
When planning your San Diego holiday escape, here are some of the exciting holiday happenings near your guestroom or suite at Humphreys Half Moon Inn.
Thanksgiving Events in San Diego:
Thanksgiving Brunch at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music (Onsite at Hotel)

Enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving Buffet with all the fixings! The feast starts at 11am and goes into the afternoon at 5pm, to fit your holiday schedule. Choose from delicious brunch items like Eggs Benedict and a Waffle Station, as well as wonderfully prepared holiday favorites including Turkey, Ham, and Prime Rib. We even have a Children’s Station filled with their favorite things! So many amazing dishes and truly something for everyone!
San Diego Turkey Trots

If a good old-fashioned turkey trot is one of your favorite holiday traditions, you’re in luck! San Diego loves a good turkey trot, and there are several happening near Humphreys Half Moon Inn!
- Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5k Run and Walk (4.9 Miles from Hotel) The fun begins at 7:15am on Thanksgiving Day at the Cabrillo Bridge at Balboa Park. There is also a race day festival that includes vendors, live music, beverage garden, and more!
- Coronado Turkey Trot (10.5 Miles From Hotel) This family-friendly 5K welcomes runners and walkers of all ages. Enjoy a beautiful course along the San Diego Bay and celebrate the holiday with a fun, festive atmosphere! Run begins at 8am on Thanksgiving morning at Tidelands Park.
- O’Side Turkey Trot A SoCal (37 Miles from Hotel) A local Thanksgiving tradition; this trot has been recognized as one of the Top Trots in the country by Runner’s World Magazine and the LA Times and attracts participants from 46 states! The beachside course starts at 8am on Coast Highway and ends behind the amphitheater on the sand in Oceanside.
Christmas Festivities in San Diego:
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (Best Views Onsite at Hotel)

This annual parade is one of the most popular San Diego holiday events, and guests of Humphreys Half Moon Inn have the best seat in the house for views! There is no better view of this popular parade than from your Shelter Island hotel. The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights spotlights 80 decorated boats and starts at 5:30pm on December 14th and 21st. It will dazzle and delight bayfront crowds of more than 100,000, so book your room early at Humphreys Half Moon Inn to ensure you have the best seat in town for the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights and make sure to pregame the show at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music or Humphreys Backstage LIVE!
Salute the Season at Liberty Station (2.0 Miles From Hotel)

Conveniently located just minutes from Humphreys Half Moon Inn, the Salute the Season holiday celebration at Liberty Station is one of the best San Diego holiday events. Join Liberty Station in celebrating the cherished Salute the Season holiday traditions that include a Holiday Tree lighting, Nutcracker Tea with the San Diego Ballet, Hanukkah Celebration and Menorah Lighting, and Rady Children’s Ice Skating Rink.
SeaWorld San Diego (4.5 Miles From Hotel)

Photo: @hotmamatravel
A whimsical winter wonderland awaits guests at SeaWorld San Diego this holiday season, and it is going to be spectacular! Join the fun in San Diego at Sea World for the “One Million Lights Meet Ocean Delights” Christmas celebration. This exciting holiday event is full of lights, cheer and magic with dazzling new Christmas shows, meet and greet with Santa and Rudolph, a festive Christmas parade. Enjoy exciting rides and animal presentations with a festive twist this Christmas at Sea World San Diego from November 14 through January 4.
December Nights at Balboa Park (4.9 Miles From Hotel)

Join in on the holiday celebration on December 5 from 3pm to 11pm and December 6 from 11am to 11pm, for the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival in beautiful Balboa Park. If you want to experience the best San Diego holiday events for families, this is it! The holiday magic is happening in San Diego with the Christmas lights, sounds of the season, the best attractions in San Diego, and of course, the amazing holiday food.
Beachside Winter Wonder at Belmont Park (5.0 Miles From Hotel)

Guests of Humphreys Half Moon Inn can enjoy Winter Wonder at Belmont Park this holiday season from November through January. One of the best San Diego holiday events, precious family memories are made while you experience a variety of festivities including over one million twinkling lights, seasonal treats, holiday face painting, Jingle Jams DJ featuring holiday tunes, and so much more this holiday season in San Diego!
Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village (5.3 Miles From Hotel)

If cool California Christmas vibes is your style, you’ll love Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village. Just minutes away from your suite at Humphreys Half Moon Inn, one of the coolest San Diego holiday events, happens on Saturday, November 29th from 1pm-4pm. You’ll see Surfin’ Santa in his boardshorts and favorite Hawaiian shirt ready to spread holiday cheer in true SoCAL fashion! Arrive early for a spot on the boardwalk to see Santa’s grand entrance, as he arrives from the San Diego Bay by watercraft to lead a festive parade to the fountain courtyard. And be sure to have your picture taken with Surfin’ Santa on his giant surfboard, riding a six-foot wave!
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo (7.4 Miles From Hotel)

The Jungle Bells holiday spectacular happens December 19 through January 4 at the San Diego Zoo. One of the most popular San Diego holiday events, this zoo extravaganza lets guests experience the magic of the holiday season and enjoy lights each night until 8pm, with amazing entertainment for the whole family. Visit this annual festive celebration and don’t forget Santa’s Factory opens on November 28, where guests of all ages can have their photo taken with Santa! Jungle Bells activities are included with all admission tickets and memberships.
Holidays at LEGOLAND California (33.3 Miles From Hotel)

If you haven’t experienced the Holidays at LEGOLAND California, you must! This is a special time of year at LEGOLAND California and a great way to add a little LEGO® magic to your family holiday vacation. Special holiday events and festivities start on November 22 and run through January 4. Holiday fun includes rocking around the giant LEGO tree to holiday tunes, singing and dancing at one of our seasonal shows, taking “elfies” with your favorite holiday LEGO characters, mailing letters and meeting LEGO Santa at the North Pole, and visiting the larger-than-life LEGO wreath for the best family photo! There are also holiday fireworks as the Elves light up the sky with their LEGOLAND Christmas magic fireworks on December 6, 13 and every day from December 20-31!
New Year’s Eve in San Diego:
New Year’s Eve at Humphreys (Onsite at Hotel)

Guests have their choice of two NYE celebrations in San Diego at Humphreys. Each event offers partygoers the choice of event-only tickets or a special hotel package.
Dance into 2026 – This New Year’s celebration is planned for Humphreys Backstage LIVE and offers a dance party vibe to ring in the new year. Enjoy the Dance into 2026 New Year’s Eve Package, where you will dance the night away at Backstage LIVE, stay overnight at our amazing Shelter Island hotel, and wake up to a delicious breakfast and late check-out on New Year’s Day.
Dance Into 2026 New Year’s Eve Package Includes:
- Two tickets to Dance the Night Away on San Diego Bay: Live music at Humphreys Backstage LIVE ft. Detroit Underground
- Party favors & champagne toast on New Year’s Eve
- One night’s accommodation, including room and taxes
- Late checkout of 1pm on Thursday, January 1st, 2026
- Breakfast buffet for two on New Year’s Day
- Complimentary Half Moon Pass (value of $20 per night)

Let’s Celebrate – Spend the evening at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music with a classic style dinner party NYE celebration. Our tropical island escape offers a festive evening of dinner, dancing, and fun, with an overnight stay in our waterfront hotel. Wake up to a delicious breakfast in our restaurant and enjoy a leisurely late check-out with this special holiday package.
The Let’s Celebrate New Year’s Eve Celebration Package Includes:
- Two tickets to an evening of dancing by the harbor featuring Toga Party Band
- Three-course dinner at Humphreys SoCAL Dining & Music
- Party favors & champagne toast on New Year’s Eve
- One night’s accommodation, including room and taxes
- Late checkout of 1pm on Thursday, January 1st, 2026
- Breakfast buffet for two on New Year’s Day
- Complimentary Half Moon Pass (value of $20 per night)
NYE at SeaWorld (4.5 Miles From Hotel)

Say Happy New Year at SeaWorld San Diego this year as they celebrate at the park on December 31! Spend the day filled with exciting shows, amazing experiences, and thrilling rides, then prepare for the evening celebration featuring dazzling lights and music. The New Year’s fun starts at 5pm with a live DJ at the Sky Tower and a special New Year’s countdown and spectacular fireworks show at 9pm!
The Hornblower New Year’s Eve Cruise (5.0 Miles From Hotel)

Set sail for a New Year’s Eve celebration you won’t soon forget with Hornblower’s New Year’s Eve Premier Dinner Cruise. Enjoy fine dining, live entertainment, and breathtaking water and city views along with a chef-prepared plated meal, festive cocktails, and exceptional service. Dance the night away with a DJ, open bar, and a champagne toast at midnight.
CRSSD Proper NYE (5.9 Miles From Hotel)

Held at Petco Park, this is one of the San Diego holiday events that is made just for music lovers. If you want to ring in the new year while jamming to your favorite bands, this is definitely the San Diego NYE celebration for you! The FNGRS CRSSD presents PROPER NYE/NYD 2026 event starts at 3pm on December 31 and the party continues through January 1 at 10pm. This musical event is for those 21 and older and advanced tickets can be purchased here.
Kids' New Year’s Eve at Legoland (33.3 Miles From Hotel)

Join in the fun at one of the most exciting San Diego holiday events for kids! The LegoLand New Year’s Eve celebration. "Midnight" comes early for families at LegoLand so the little ones can celebrate the New Year without missing bedtimes. Holiday events include rides, activities, and fun with an early fireworks display to welcome the new year.
Celebrate the Holidays in San Diego at Humphreys Half Moon Inn on Shelter Island!

Are you ready to celebrate the upcoming holiday season at Humphreys Half Moon Inn in San Diego? Join in the festivities and holiday fun with a variety of planned celebrations and San Diego holiday events. Book your suite at Humphreys today to be close to all the best San Diego holiday events and celebrations. Take advantage of our special gift to you with these offers and holiday promotions to help you save big on your holiday escape to San Diego.




























































