Balboa Park December Nights Festival

December 2-3, 2022

Friday 3-11 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

A festive drive-through setting at the Inspiration Point parking lot near Balboa Park.

"Taste of December Nights," for this year's event features some of your favorite food vendors, food trucks, and entertainment from past December Nights.

Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA
Free admission, fees for food, shopping, etc.
balboapark.org

 

 

 

Past event

Balboa Park December Nights, is a two-day holiday celebration of food, entertainment and fun. One of the most festive, free events in California each December combines traditional holiday choirs and musicians with a sampling of cultural offerings from many countries represented in one place. Though not organized specifically as such, the diversity of entertainers who apply to participate in the annual event offer an incredible array of dances, songs and sounds from around the globe.

The numerous museums and cultural institutions in Balboa Park, the nation's largest urban cultural park, open their doors free of charge. Festivities in the park include carolers, live music, holiday light displays, theater and dance performances and delicious foods from around the world. 

Traditional Santa Lucia Procession both nights at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. Enjoy a 9pm live performance of traditional Christmas music, and on Saturday at 5:30pm see a parade of Swedish costumes. Swedish market place includes Swedish meatballs, pea soup, home baked Swedish cookies, bread and Christmas cakes. Also served will be the traditional Swedish Christmas drink, Glögg

2019 TBA

Entertainment December 7, 2018

• 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Del Cerro Baptist Choir/ Christmas Story Tree offers a 35+ year traditional Biblical story of Christmas at the Organ Pavilion, that tells the  through song and scenes. Del Cerro erects and decorates a 33 foot Christmas tree that is both a lighting marvel and opens up as a stage to the story of the Birth of Christ in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Del Cerro Baptist Church Choir, an orchestra, a narrator and community members, tell the story through familiar Christmas Hymns and Carols.
• 3-3:40 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Colegio Ingles children's choir who sing and dance a Christmas Musical called "Jingle Bell Beach".
• 3-3:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace features Harpist Kathryn Lillich 
• 3:50-4:30 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Kayros Communidad Cristiana Kayros choir who sing in English, Spanish and Hebrew  .
• 4-4:40 p.m. Palisades Midway. Zumba Fitness Instructors Performance of dances from Salsa, Bachata, Merengue to Belly Dance, Regueton, Cumbia and more.
• 4-4:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace. Kaibigan Dance Company perform Filipino Cultural Dance.
• 4-6 p.m. Spanish Village. Ukulele by Tim Uragmai 
• 4-10 p.m. Spanish Village. Dulcimer by Scott Williams
• 4:40-5:20 p.m. Botanical Stage. San Diego Youth in Action Gospel 
• 4:50-5:50 p.m. Organ Pavilion features San Diego Civic Organist Raul Prieto Ramirez on the largest musical instrument in the world at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. Celebration of Music from the Great Masters of all time includes Johann Sebastian Bach, to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, Sousa marches to the Simpsons sound track.
• 5-5:30 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Steelbone's Marching Bones Tim "Steelbone" Cook, says come on down and join the second line parade for December Nights!
• 5-5:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace. Layali Dance Company  belly dance egyptian style, arabian folklore and fusion. 
• 5-5:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Prime Time Steppers senior performing group. 
• 5-6 p.m. San Diego Museum of Art. La Jolla Renaissance Singers
• 5-6:30 p.m. San Diego Natural History Museum. Pomerado Brass Qunitet
• 5:15-5:40 p.m. Casa del Prado. San Diego Civic Dance Companies 
• 5:30-6:40 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Michele Lundeen and Bluesstreak 
• 5:40-6:20 p.m. Botanical Stage. The IB Banana Band  young piano music students age  4 to 9  
• 6-6:15 p.m. San Diego Museum of Man. Pop-up Clarinet Choir Pop-up, Clarinet
• 6-6:30 p.m. California Quadrangle. Santa Lucia Procession with children's choir.
• 6-6:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage.  One Hot Planet with two saxophones and a drum set. 
• 6-6:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. The Candy Cane Carolers young professional singers
• 6-6:45 p.m. Casa del Prado Theater. San Diego Youth Ballet
• 6:15-6:35 p.m. Organ Pavilion.  The Sun Harbor Chorus 
• 6:40-7:20 p.m. Botanical Stage. San Diego Jr. Glee Club show choir  ages 5 to 12 years
• 6:45-8:45 p.m. San Diego Natural History Museum  Lobby. TubaFours
• 6:50-7:20 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Southwestern College Singers
• 7-7:15 p.m. San Diego Museum of Man. Pop-up Clarinet Choir 
• 7-7:30 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Roya Tribal Belly Dance 
• 7-7:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace. Left Coast Quintet 
• 7-8 p.m. San Diego Museum of Art AREA Plaza de Panama San Diego Museum of Art Schola Pacifica
• 7-8:30 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Billy Lee & The Swamp Critters utilizes fiddle, accordion, tifir, and scrubboard that brings you back to his native bayou land.
• 7:30-8:10 p.m. Organ Pavilion. San Diego Gay Men's Chorus
• 7:40-8:10 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. The Annie Ross Dancers women age 40+
• 7:40-8:20 p.m. Botanical Stage. 92124 Rock and Pop Cover Band
• 8-8:30 p.m. Spanish Village. Halau O Makani Kai Polynesian Dance Troupe
• 8-8:30 p.m. California Quadrangle. Santa Lucia Procession with children's choir.
• 8-8:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace.  Flamenco Arana
• 8:20-8:50 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. San Diego Cloggers 
• 8:30-9 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. LearnZydeco Louisiana Style Line Dance Lessons
• 8:40-9:20 p.m. Botanical Stage. Millennial 88 Band ages 13-16
• 9-9:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Marissa Grace Music Band 
• 9-10:30 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Bayou Brothers 
• 9:10-9:50 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Daniel Jay Houk Christmas and Country tunes
• 9:40-10:20 p.m. Botanical Stage. Rendition, R&B and Pop
• 10-10:45 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. The Hot Bananas perform gypsy swing, bossa nova, video game music
• 10:10-11 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Triton Eye alternative rock, funk, and hip-hop influences

Entertainment December 7, 2018

• 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Del Cerro Baptist Choir/ Christmas Story Tree offers a 35+ year traditional Biblical story of Christmas at the Organ Pavilion, that tells the  through song and scenes. Del Cerro erects and decorates a 33 foot Christmas tree that is both a lighting marvel and opens up as a stage to the story of the Birth of Christ in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Del Cerro Baptist Church Choir, an orchestra, a narrator and community members, tell the story through familiar Christmas Hymns and Carols.
• 12-12:30 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Imahen Taotao  songs, dance, and chants
• 12-12:40 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Naruwan Taiko  Japanese drumming
• 12-12:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. NEIN NEIN  hard rock and power-pop
• 12-12:45 p.m. Casa del Prado. San Diego Civic Dance Arts Recreation Level Dancers
• 12-12:50 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Bonneville 7 trio  playing Aternabilly music
• 12:30-1:10 p.m. Botanical Stage. Let's Dance for Fun age 6-16 years
• 12:40-1:10 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. T.R.U.T.H. Gospel Mime  ages 11-16
• 1-1:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Discount Art  pop/soul band 
• 1-1:40 p.m. Organ Pavilion. The San Diego Womens Chorus  from the vastly diverse LGBTQIA+ and straight-ally communities  
• 1:10-2:10 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. San Diego Cajun Playboys 
• 1:20-1:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. MVS Singers great holiday hits! 
• 1:20-2 p.m. Botanical Stage. Flamenco With Roots 
• 1:50-2:20 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. San Diego Harmony Ringers
• 1:50-2:30 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Peninsula Singers range from young adults to octogenarians
• 2-2:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Brendan Prout Band everything 80s
• 2:10-2:40 p.m. Botanical Stage. Bethel Baptist Children's Choir 
• 2:30-2:50 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Hip Hop's FINEST CITY new dance company  
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Sarah Rogo Band 
• 2:40-3:40 p.m. Organ Pavilion. San Diego Civic Organist Raul Prieto Ramirez 
• 3-3:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Flamenco Sur Dance Co.
• 3-3:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Jungle Poppins  animated troupe of people with and without disabilities
• 3:05-3:20 p.m. Botanical Stage. Lenny "Fuzzy" Rankins Showcase Lenny "Fuzzy" Rankins  soulful funky grooves
• 3:30-3:45 p.m. Botanical Stage. House of Scotland Pipe Band Showcase 
• 3:30-3:50 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. LearnZydeco.com Louisiana Style Line Dance Lessons 
• 3:50-4:30 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Motu Nehenehe Polynesian Dancers 
• 4-4:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Courtney Preis 
• 4-4:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. UCSD Ballet Folklorico- La Joya de Mexico
• 4-10 p.m. Spanish Village. Guitar by Gary Santo-Pietro
• 4-10 p.m. Spanish Village. Kemosabe Band
• 4:20-4:35 p.m. Botanical Stage. La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego 
• 4:40-5 p.m. Botanical Stage. Channah Zeitung  age 10, five-time world champion, star on NBC Little Big Shots season 3 presents a ninja's nutcracker.
• 4:50-5:30 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Resonate Vocal Group
• 5-5:30 p.m. Spanish Village. Halau O Makani Kai Polynesian Dance Troupe
• 5-5:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Mochi Cafe inspired by the maid cafes in Akihabara, Japan
• 5-6 p.m. San Diego Museum of Art. San Diego Museum of Art Courtly Noyse
• 5-6:30 p.m. San Diego Natural History Museum. Museum Lobby Pomerado Brass Qunitet
• 5:10-5:30 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. LearnZydeco Louisiana Style Line Dance Lessons
• 5:15-5:30 p.m. Botanical Stage. Motu Nehenehe Polynesian Showcase  will do a "Christmas on the Islands" show 
• 5:15-5:40 p.m. Casa del Prado. San Diego Civic Dance Companies 
• 5:30-6:50 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Euphoria Brass Band 
• 5:40-6:10 p.m. Botanical Stage. School of Rock  age 7 to 18 
• 5:40-6:20 p.m. Organ Pavilion. San Diego Chorus of Sweet Adelines 
• 5:50-6:40 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego 
• 6-6:30 p.m. California Quadrangle. Santa Lucia Procession Santa Lucia procession with children's choir.
• 6-6:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. 145th Street Blues Band
• 6-6:45 p.m. Casa del Prado. San Diego Civic Youth Ballet 
• 6:20-7 p.m. Botanical Stage. Serra High School Music Department  seasonal music arranged specifically for December Nights
• 6:40-7:10 p.m. Organ Pavilion. House of Scotland Pipe Band 
• 6:45-8:45 p.m. San Diego Natural History Museum. Museum Lobby TubaFours
• 6:50-7:20 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Ruby Clouds  Rock/RnB 
• 7-7:30 p.m. Spanish Village. Halau O Makani Kai Polynesian Dance Troupe
• 7-8 p.m. San Diego Museum of Art. San Diego Museum of Art In aChord
• 7:10-8:40 p.m. Bon Temps Social Club Stage. Back Pocket Whiskey Fellas
• 7:20-8 p.m. Botanical Stage. Mariachi Victoria
• 7:25-8:10 p.m. Organ Pavilion. Legendary Lion Dance Association
• 7:40-8:20 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Bump City Brass
• 8-8:30 p.m. California Quadrangle. Santa Lucia Procession Santa Lucia procession with children's choir.
• 8-8:40 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Shock Army
• 8:20-9 p.m. Botanical Stage. JCompany's On The Town 
• 8:50-9:20 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. The Jewels 
• 9-9:30 p.m. Spanish Village. Halau O Makani Kai Polynesian Dance Troupe 
• 9:20-10 p.m. Botanical Stage. The Microphone Doctors fun music for  kids
• 9:30-10 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Messengers From the Mount
• 9:45-10:30 p.m. Cascades Marketplace Stage. Navidad Mixta
• 10:20-11 p.m. Palisades Midway Stage. Mayn Event  message of positive music

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.