Join us Dec. 6 and 7 in beautiful Balboa Park for the City of San Diego's largest free holiday festival. The family-friendly December Nights celebration brings visitors and locals together to enjoy the lights, the sounds, the attractions and, of course, the amazing food.

Kick off the most wonderful time of the year at Liberty Station's 2024 Salute the Season celebration! Join us for our main event, the Liberty Station Tree Lighting, on Friday, November 29th, from 5 to 9 p.m. Gather your loved ones to watch as our majestic 88-foot Norfolk pine tree comes to life with twinkling lights and holiday cheer. This magical evening promises fun for the whole family with live entertainment, jolly firetruck rides and free photos with Santa! As the night unfolds, cozy up under the stars for a special showing of the beloved holiday classic, "The Grinch." Don't miss this opportunity to create unforgettable memories and start a new family tradition at Liberty Station's Tree Lighting.

Explore one of the country’s best urban cultural parks. Balboa Park has a bit of everything, including grand architecture, diverse museums, cultural institutions, and captivating gardens. You will visit spots that even locals don’t know about.

Tour Highlights

Discover the inspiring, quirky, and fascinating history of one of the nation’s largest urban cultural parks
Uncover historical and architectural treasures hiding in plain sight
Explore a botanical garden’s vibrant collection of more than 2,100 plants
Learn about the early 20th century expositions that shaped Balboa Park
Find the best spots to photograph Balboa Park’s beautiful Spanish colonial revival architecture

PRIVATE TOURS ARE AVAILABLE. CLICK "TICKETS" FOR DETAILS

Get into the holiday spirit in Del Mar Village! Enjoy family-friendly festivities throughout the Del Mar Village North Pole Loop, including photos with Santa, letters to Santa, and other children’s activities at Del Mar Plaza, live holiday music, drink specials for adults at L’Auberge Del Mar, and holiday characters. The afternoon will culminate in a holiday tree lighting with hot chocolate for kids and a special Santa and the Grinch appearance in the Jim Watkins Amphitheater at L’Auberge Del Mar at 5:00 p.m.