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San Diego Street Fairs
Balboa Park December Nights

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Balboa Park December Nights

Saturday, December 5, 2026 – Monday, December 7, 2026

11:00 PM – 7:00 AM · Balboa Park

Event information may change without notice, please verify with the event organizer before attending. Spot an issue? Submit a correction

Balboa Park December Nights will take place on Friday, December 5th from 3-11pm and Saturday, December 6th from 11am-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. 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.

For more information, visit  https://www.sandiego.gov/december-nights

Balboa Park

1650 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101

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