Festive Christmas and holiday parades are coming back to town in 2025! Take the family to enjoy sparkling lights, stunning floats and sleighloads of ho-ho-holiday cheer!
San Diego Central
FREE Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade. Jan. 2, 10-11:30 am. America’s largest balloon parade with marching bands, floats and more. Street viewing is free. Limited Grand Stand Seats: $30. Accessible seating available. Along Harbor Dr. www.holidaybowl.com
FREE Pacific Beach Holiday Parade: “Candy Coated Holiday.” Floats, Santa and more. Dec. 13, 1–3 pm. Garnet Ave. between Bayard St. & Haines St. www.pacificbeach.org
FREE Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights. Festive holiday boats parade on the bay. Starts at SeaWorld with fireworks and ends at The Mission Bay Beach Club. Dec. 13, 5:30 pm. www.discovermissionbay.org
FREE 50th Annual Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting. Dec. 5, 6 pm. Celebrate with 50+ festive parade entries, Christmas tree wrapped in over two miles of lights, and a special visit from Santa. After the tree lighting, stay for the Coronado Community Band’s holiday concert in Rotary Park. Details: www.coronadochamber.com
FREE La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival. “There’s No Place Like Home (for the Holidays)” theme. Dec. 7. Festival, 11:30 am–4 pm; parade, 1:30 pm. Girard Ave. www.ljparade.com
FREE San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Brightly illuminated boats decorated to the theme “An Out of this World Christmas.” Starts off Shelter Island, goes through the harbor and ends at the Coronado Ferry Landing. Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, 5:30 pm. www.sdparadeoflights.org
FREE Las Posadas. Enjoy a time-honored celebration that echoes centuries-old Mexican traditions and the warmth of the holiday season. Dec. 13, 4–7 pm. Old Town State Historic Park, 4002 Wallace St. www.oldtownsandiego.org/lasposadas
FREE Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade & Pups in the Pub Party. Dogs, cats and unique pets “deck the paws” for a howl-iday to remember. Dec. 13, 11 am–4 pm; parade 1 pm. Downtown. www.gaslamp.org
FREE Ocean Beach Holiday Parade. Get ready for an out-of-this-world holiday hullabaloo on Newport Ave. Parade starts on the corner of Newport Ave. and Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Dec. 6, 5:05 pm. www.obcommunityfoundation.org/community-events/ob-holiday-parade/
FREE Chula Vista Starlight Parade & Festival. This beloved South Bay tradition will light up Third Ave. with dazzling floats, joyful participants and activities for all ages. Dec. 6, 3–9 pm. www.starlightparade.com
North County
FREE Encinitas Holiday Parade: “Peace by the Pacific.” Coast Hwy. 101 from D St. to J St. Dec. 6, 5:30 pm. Details: www.encinitasca.gov
FREE 67th Annual Vista Christmas Parade.Dec. 6, 1-3 pm. "Rockin' Around Vista" theme. Historic downtown Vista Village. www.vistachamber.org/christmas
FREE 44th Annual Fallbrook Christmas Parade. Rain or shine. Dec. 6, 5 pm. Downtown Main Ave. www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org/
EAST County
FREE Joy in Julian Holiday Light Parade. Enjoy a small town light parade down Main St. Dec. 6, 6 pm. www.juliancountrychristmas.com
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Updated: November 2025
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