The best things to do this week in San Diego: Dec. 22-26

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 22 to Friday, Dec. 26.

Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.

Monday

Coastal Christmas at fairgrounds: The Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts Coastal Christmas, a festival with holiday light attractions. Highlights include a walk-through display of more than 1 million lights, “glice” skating, a holiday market, Frosty’s Fun Zone, Holiday Wine Walk and Santa and Friends. Igloos and fireside lounges can be reserved for cozying with some hot cocoa. S’mores kits, festive food and drinks will be sold. 4 to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Tickets start at $26.98 for adults and $20.61 for kids on select nights. Admission is free for kids 3 and younger. The Holiday Wine Walk is $54.99. Promotional nights include military, first responders and nurses, seniors and students. delmarfairgrounds.com/events/2025/coastal-christmas.

Holiday Cheer on Wheels: Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tour run through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 25) with a mix of sightseeing, holiday sing-alongs and a 90-minute trip through festively decorated neighborhoods, including Old Town, Banker’s Hill, Little Italy and Garrison Street. Leaves from the Old Town Market, 4010 Twiggs St., San Diego. Reservations required. trolleytours.com/san-diego/holiday-tour-tickets

“Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”: The Old Globe’s 28th annual production of this holiday classic will once again star Andrew Polec, who returns for his fifth year in the title role, with a nearly all-new cast of principal actors as the grown-up citizens of Whoville. Based on a 1957 children’s book by the late La Jolla author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, the musical by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin premiered in 1994 at a children’s theater in Minneapolis. In 1998, it moved to the Old Globe, where artistic director Jack O’Brien worked with Geisel’s widow, Audrey Geisel, to add music from the famous 1966 animated TV version and a storybook-come-to-life scenic and costume design. It’s been an annual tradition ever since. 5 p.m. Monday, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesdays. 5 p.m. Friday. Through Dec. 31. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $51 and up. 619-234-5623. theoldglobe.org

Holidays at LEGOLAND: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display through Jan. 4. Throughout the holidays, the park’s 30-foot LEGO tree decked with lights and LEGO ornaments built out of more than 350,000 LEGO and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive LEGO models or costumed characters such as a LEGO Santa, toy soldier, gingerbread man and elf characters. The annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party is Dec. 31. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Continues through Jan. 4. LEGOLAND California, One Legoland Drive. legoland.com/california.

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration: Holiday wonderland runs daily to Jan. 4 with live musical shows, faux snowfall, over a million lights, Santa and real reindeer, singing elves and the SkyTower decorated as San Diego’s largest Christmas tree along with festive food and beverages. One million twinkling lights, nightly snowfall and immersive holiday experiences. There’ll be a new Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special at Sea Lion Stadium and a new Mrs. Claus story time show. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. Through Jan. 4. 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego. seaworld.com/san-diego/

Belmont Park’s Winter Wonder: The  annual event at the beachside amusement park, 3146 Mission Blvd., runs through Jan. 4 with hundreds of twinkling lights, carolers, holiday-themed treats and drinks and special events on weekends. Attractions include the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Peppermint Putt Putt at Tiki Wonderland and Candy Cane Lanes Go Karts and and Polar Plunge. Tickets and passes are at belmontpark.com.

Jingle Jets: The USS Midway Museum will be decked with more than a million lights as part of its “Jingle Jets” holiday light show and festivities. Highlights include Holiday Dancing Light Show, Midway’s Magical Penguin Search, Christmas Carol Karaoke, Bring Your Dog Night, Santa’s Christmas Rush Virtual Reality Ride and expanded Reindeer Games, among other festivities. Holiday eats & treats will be sold. 5:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Friday. Through Dec. 30. Tickets are $20-$30 and sold only online; discounts for museum members; free for children 3 and younger. midway.org/event/jingle-jets-2025

Winter Wonders Holiday Lights tour: Wild Wonders hosts a Winter Wonders & Holiday Lights tour of its Bonsall wild animal refuge, which will showcase its nocturnal animals. Visitors meet several animal ambassadors while strolling the five-acre facility decorated for the season. One-hour guided flashlight tours are at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 22, Dec. 27 and Dec. 30-31. Cost is $42 for ages 12 and up and $22 for children ages 5-11. wildwonders.org

Lightscape: The immersive experience guides visitors through a one-mile garden trail with tunnels of lights featuring light installations designed by international artists. Installations range from California poppies and a field of fireflies to a laser garden. There will be seasonal treats. Entries from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Through Jan. 4. San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive. Tickets start at $28; $18 for children. sdbg.org

A holiday in Oz: The Hotel del Coronado is offering a range of festive activities with a “Wizard of Oz” theme. A light show takes place on the Founders Lawn each night at 5 p.m. and repeats every 30 minutes until 9 p.m. Guests can also go ice skating near the beach or watch holiday movies on the beach. Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave.Coronado. See full lineup of activities here: hoteldel.com/events/lightshow-spectacular

Wild Holidays at Safari Park: Entertainment includes the “Light Up the Holidays” choreographed lighted tree show, Bridge of Lights,  Enchanted Lagoon and visits with Santa along with Holiday Troubadour, Forest of Color and Nairobi Lantern Walk, among other festivities. Festivities are Nov. 28–30; Dec. 19–23 and Dec. 26–Jan. 4; the Park at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, will stay open until 8 p.m. with holiday cheer. “Wild Holidays” activities are free with Safari Park admission or membership. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Through Jan. 4. sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.

Tuesday

“2 Pianos, 4 Hands”: North Coat Repertory Theatre presents Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt’s autobiographical comedy with music about two aspiring concert pianists who grow up as friends and then enemies before making their peace with music. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, 7:30 Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Through Dec. 31. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $70.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org

Wednesday

Christmas Eve Festival: The Oceanside United Reformed Church holds its 25th annual Christmas Eve Festival of Lessons & Carols for the community. Highlights include scripture readings and Christmas carols followed by Christmas cookies and warm cider. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Army & Navy Aademy Chapel, 2549 Ocean St., Carlsbad. Free admission. The chapel includes an area for families with small children. oceansideurc.org/christmas-eve

Christmas Eve Day meal: The San Diego Chicken Pie shop is offering a special holiday meal during the day on Christmas Eve, featuring ham or turkey, au gratin potatoes, vegetables, soup, coleslaw, a roll and dessert for $16.49. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2633 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. instagram.com/chickenpieshop

Thursday

Christmas Tree Wonderlights show: The Forum Carlsbad holds holiday festivities, including visits with Santa, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21 at 1923 Calle Barcelona. A Christmas Tree Wonderlights choreographed light and music show on the Christmas tree near Anthropologie is daily on the hour from 5 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 25. A pet adoption event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com/news/the-forum-carlsbad-a-festive-holiday-season-2025.

14 options for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals in San Diego County

El Torito: San Diegans can indulge in an all-you-can-eat buffet on Christmas Day. The lineup will include tri-tip and a ham carving station, as well as Mexican entrees, menudo and pozole, a taco bar, bottomless mimosas and a dessert station. To top it off, guests can order bloody marys, micheladas, draft beers and house margaritas for $6. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. El Torito, 5024 Baltimore Drive, La Mesa. $44 for adults, $15 for kids. 619-698-7404, eltorito.com/open-christmas

Friday

Kwanzaa celebration: For the 45th time, the World Beat Center will host a Kwanzaa celebration. From Dec. 26 to Dec. 29, there will be a series of events, including candle lighting, guest speakers, performances, drumming, poetry and traditional feasts. Friday’s kickoff event will feature Starla Lewis, professor emerita of black studies at San Diego Mesa College and the founder of C.E.L.L. (Celebration of Everlasting Life & Love) and Dalene Brown, a holistic practitioner and founder of Total Health Products and At Your Service Health & Beauty Center. Rrban jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette will perform. 6 to 9 p.m. Friday to Monday. 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego. worldbeatcenter.org/events

Learnmore Jonasi: Anyone looking for a laugh the day after Christmas can find one at Mic Drop Comedy. Zimbabwean stand-up comedian Learnmore Jonasi will perform for two nights this weekend. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego. $25.50. micdropcomedysandiego.com/events/114027

Happily Ever Holiday: Mockingbird Improv will host a improvisational performance inspired by Hallmark Christmas movies. 7 to 8:15 p.m. Friday. 2590 Truxtun Road, Studio 200. $17. libertystation.com/do/happily-ever-holiday

Steve Taylor’s “Magical Marionettes”: Steve Taylor, who has been featured at Disneyland, on “America’s God Talent” and other major platforms, will do a special family-friendly, holiday-themed show at the Mary Hitchcock Puppet Theater. 2 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater in Balboa Park, 2130 Pan American Road, San Diego. $7.balboaparkpuppets.com/products/tickets?variant=51095535321371

Candlelight Concerts: As seen on Instagram, the candlelight concerts hosted by Fever are coming to San Diego this weekend. This show’s theme is “Queen vs. ABBA.” 6:15 and 8:30 p.m. Friday. Fleet Science Center, 1875 El Prado, San Diego. Tickets start at $34. fleetscience.org/events/candlelight-concerts

Star Party at Sycamore Canyon: Weather permitting, join San Diego Astronomy Association and park rangers for a educational star viewing-party.  7 p.m. Friday. Sycamore Canyon (Highway 67 Staging Area), Lakeside. Free. sdparks.org/content/sdparks/en/participate/calendar.html