Find the Most Jolly Christmas Parade in San Diego

There’s always an exciting amount of events and happenings during the build-up to the holiday season in San Diego. However, the many Christmas parades in various spots across the city and county are what really signals that the festive season is right around the corner.

With a bunch of San Diego Christmas Parades on the agenda for this year, we’ll give you all you need to know, from where each event kicks off to the type of floats you can expect to see.

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San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
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San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

December 10th & 17th, 2023

The biggest and best San Diego Christmas Parade has got to be the annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, run by the Port of San Diego. Read our full article on the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights here, with top tips and best places to watch.

For the last 53 years, 100,000 San Diego residents have made it their Christmas tradition to flock to the shores for this procession of festive boats decked out in thousands of twinkling lights and over-the-top decorations.

For 2023, the theme is all about showcasing Christmas traditions from around the world. Approximately 80 boats will be transformed into colorful and vibrant representations of unique international cultures and customs. Based on the creative and eye-catching boats from previous years, I think it’s safe to say we have high expectations for this year.

Now for the practical side of things. As always, the boat parade of lights is due to take place over two nights, on December 10th and December 17th, 2023. Things get going around 5:30 PM, but get here early to secure your spot if you have a particular viewpoint in mind.

When it comes to the parade route, once again, the boats will set sail from Shelter Island, passing by the likes of Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, and Seapoint Village before arriving at the pier at Cesar Chavez Park. The holiday boat parade will then make its final journey to the Ferry Landing on Coronado, where the event will conclude at about 7:45 PM.

In case you were wondering, this festival is completely free of charge, making it accessible and affordable for everyone. If you prefer to enjoy the yuletide scenes from afar, check out some of the waterfront bars and restaurants that have excellent views of the parade.

Every year, this event brings heaps of festive fun to the city, and the 53rd annual San Diego Bay Parade looks set to be no different.

La Jolla Christmas Parade

December 3rd, 2023

With a tagline like ‘Christmas in the Sand,’ you’ll get a pretty good indication of what La Jolla’s holiday celebrations are like.

Set to take place on December 3rd, 2023, this parade has a huge line-up of marchers, from marching bands and cheerleaders to animal shelters and groups from local churches.

The parade will begin at 1:30 PM at Kline and Girard, passing down Prospect Street, where it will finish up at the Contemporary Museum of Art. This event is free, but donations are welcome to help keep the parade running year after year.

If you’re visiting with your little ones, it’s worth noting that La Jolla’s Christmas parade is part of the Holiday Festival, which includes Santa’s Village. Here, the youngsters can meet Santa and get their faces painted.

Joy in Julian – Holiday Car Parade

December 16th, 2023

A much smaller but incredibly adorable parade is Joy in Julian, a procession of beautifully decorated vintage and modern cars in the heart of this eastern San Diego village.

This short but sweet parade is scheduled to take place on December 16th, 2023, along Julian’s Main Street between 5:30 PM and 6:00 PM. Each car will drive up and down three times so everyone can catch a glimpse. It’s a festive event that makes Julian even more charming and is a lovely way to see a small town on a traditional parade.

Lights at the Lakes Holiday Light Show

December 1st-28th, 2023

Not so much a San Diego Christmas Parade but more of a captivating Christmas light display, Santee’s Lights at the Lakes show is a drive-thru event consisting of a mile-long display of colorful and illuminated decorations along Carlton Oaks Drive.

Unfortunately, you’ll need a vehicle for this one, as the displays are synced to car radios, so walking or cycling isn’t permitted.

The show runs for around 20 minutes on selected dates from December 1st to December 28th, 2023. You’ll need to purchase your tickets in advance and pick a time slot between 5:45 PM and 8:45 PM on your chosen date.

Chula Vista Starlight Parade

December 3rd, 2023

Having been on hiatus for the last few years, Chula Vista’s Starlight Parade is set to return in 2023 on December 3rd.

This is such a great event for families, as the parade full of dancers, local businesses, performers, and Christmas-themed floats is just part of a wider festival of Santa encounters, live music, and local markets.

Once the tree is lit at 5:45 PM, the parade starts to make its journey down Third Avenue Downtown.

Chula Vista’s Christmas festival and parade are free for all visitors.

48th Annual Dana Point Holiday Boat Parade

December 8th & 10th, 2023

This time, we’re heading way up north to the Dana Point Boat Parade, where a bunch of immaculately decorated yachts and ships will compete in several categories, including the People’s Choice and the Mayor’s Cup.

From December 8th to 10th, 2023, these boats will set sail from the Dana Point Harbor at 6:30 PM, returning around 9:00 PM. ‘Candyland’ is the quirky theme of this year’s get-together.

Don’t forget to plan some additional time in to check out the Holiday Wonderland of sparkling lights at Dana Point Harbor.

This Christmas parade in San Diego has free admission.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

December 13th-17th, 2023

Newport Beach’s annual boat parade has been running now for 115 years, and this year’s event looks set to be pretty spectacular.

Over the course of four days, from December 13th to 17th, 2023, everything from yachts to kayaks will be kitted out in their finest Christmas attire from 6.30 PM every evening.

Starting from the east side of Lido Island, the parade will run for around two hours, passing by spots like Pirate’s Cove, Balboa Island Bridge, and the Newport Sea Base.

It may not be your typical holiday experience, with mild temperatures in the air and a noticeable absence of snow, but San Diego most definitely can hold its own when we’re talking about Christmas parades and festive marches.

We’re confident you won’t regret adding a Christmas parade in San Diego to your winter to-do list.

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