With approximately 350,000 people attending over the two day event, Balboa Park’s December Nights is easily San Diego’s biggest holiday party.
You can stroll through the heart of the park and check out dozens of vendors hawking their wares; head to the arcades and carnival rides set up in one of the parking lots; enjoy a concert or other performance at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion or various other smaller stages; or grab something to eat from around the world at the International Cottages.
Many of the park’s museums will be open in the evenings with free admissions 5–9 p.m. both nights. Lines can be long, so plan to wait.
A little advanced planning can go a long way in enjoying the event—there’s simply too much to explore and enjoy. Check out the website (link below) and figure out what appeals to you. Then hop on a bus or shuttle and explore Balboa Park in all its holiday splendor.
What You Need To Know
Location: Balboa Park
Hours:
3–11 p.m., Friday, 2 December 2016
Noon-11 p.m., Saturday, 3 December 2016
Cost: Free
Phone: (619) 239-0512
Website: www.balboapark.org/decembernights
Tips: Don’t even think about trying to drive to Balboa Park and find parking. The best way to get there is by using public transit or the free shuttle services that are provided from multiple locations.
Gallery
Click to see full-sized photos. (Apologies for image quality. Taken with cell phone before this site was conceived.)
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