Everything you need to know about December nights 2024 in San Diego – NBC 7 San Diego

San Diego’s largest annual event, December Nights, returns to Balboa Park this weekend and is likely to draw hundreds of thousands to the holiday celebration.

The free two-day event takes place December 6th and 7th and features holiday festivities, shopping, food stations, live performances and more.

Here’s everything you need to know about December nights 2024 in San Diego.

What are December nights?

Balboa Park’s “December Nights” is San Diego’s annual holiday event that began in the late 1970s and was once called “Christmas on the Prado.” Organized by , the event celebrates the spirit of the holiday with family-friendly activities, light displays, musical performances, holiday foods and more. The event takes place at the San Diego Cultural Center, which has dozens of museums and some offer free admission for several hours. Guests can also visit several museums in Balboa Park for free. The event usually lasts two days on the first weekend in December.

When are December nights 2024?

December Nights will take place on December 6th from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and December 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and will feature holiday celebrations, shopping, food stations, live performances and more.

How much does it cost to go to December Nights in San Diego?

December Nights is San Diego’s largest free event. Items and food will be for sale and fees may apply in some parking lots and museums, but there is no entry fee for the event itself.

What is there to do at December Nights?

New this year, a Ferris wheel offers free rides in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum in the Pan American Plaza. Across the street, near the Municipal High School, you can watch professional skateboarding demonstrations on the square.

Choose Museums offers free entry.

The Family zonean area for children’s activities, has been expanded compared to last year. Screenings of “Elf” and “Home Alone” will be shown on a screen in front of the Comic-Con Museum.

Performance and entertainment The stages are located in the Starlight Bowl, in front of the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater, in the Plaza De Panama in front of the San Diego Museum of Art and in the Spanish Village Art Center. Check out the artists’ schedule to plan your visit around seeing performances by community groups like the San Diego Junior Theater, La Mesa Arts Academy Vocal or the House of Scotland Pipe Band.

Visit the Food, retail and non-profit stands. Check out the full food, drink and retail list now to start planning where to pick up your favorite meals, drinks and holiday items. Stop to give Santa a warm holiday greeting and enjoy a sip at the specialty bar.

Let the light of the seasonal exhibitions get you in the mood for the Christmas season. Don’t miss this as you meander and hike through Balboa festive displays.

Also new this year: The City of San Diego is partnering with San Diego Gas & Electric to host a sock drive to benefit unsheltered PATH San Diego customers. Visitors can drop off a new pair of socks at the SDG&E booth, at the SDG&E electric truck in front of the House of Hospitality in Plaza de Panama or at the Toyota Sienna Sleigh. Socks to donate can also be purchased at the Merge 4 booth or the Balboa Park Visitors Center.

Closed to the public after three years, San Diego is an icon Botanical building will reopen Dec. 6 following Phase 1 of a revitalization project. With so much going on in the park, don’t miss out on checking out the restored historic features of the garden, open December 6th from 1pm to 7pm and December 7th from 12pm to 6pm.