Coronado does the holidays with real style, and the best of it fits into about five weeks. Here is a playbook for the season: the dates, what each event offers and one way to string the first December weekend together.
Thanksgiving week
13th Annual Coronado Turkey Trot
When: Thursday, November 26 · Where: Coronado
A flat, scenic 5K with bay views that raises money for research and treatment at Rady Children’s Hospital. Walkers, runners and trotters of all ages are welcome. Discover Coronado.
Shop Small Saturday
When: Saturday, November 28 · Where: Downtown Coronado
Coronado MainStreet’s stroll through the shops, with Santa possibly making an appearance. Discover Coronado.
The first weekend of December
Holiday Festival at the Hotel del Coronado
When: Wednesday, December 2 · Where: Hotel del Coronado, Windsor Lawn and Del Beach
A kickoff evening: Skating by the Sea (4 to 10 p.m.), a Lightshow Spectacular every 30 minutes from 5 to 9 p.m., a skydiving Santa at 4:30 p.m., school performances and fireworks at 6:45 p.m. Santa photo passes are given out on site. Hotel del details.
Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
When: Friday, December 4, parade at 6 p.m. · Where: Downtown Coronado and Rotary Plaza
Thousands line the streets for the parade, then the 120-foot Christmas tree, strung with 18,175 lights, is switched on. Coronado Chamber.
Artisans’ Alley Craft Fair
When: Saturday, December 5 · Where: Coronado
The 54th annual fair, with more than 150 vendors of handmade gifts, food, and live performances by Coronado school bands and choirs. Discover Coronado.
A way to do the weekend: stake out a spot for the parade on Friday, shop the craft fair on Saturday morning, and cross the bridge or take the ferry for Balboa Park’s free December Nights on Saturday afternoon and evening (noon to 10 p.m.).
Mid-December
Holidays in Coronado Concert
When: Saturday, December 12, 6 and 8 p.m. · Where: Coronado
Handel’s Messiah, Stravinsky and holiday favorites. Discover Coronado.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
When: Sundays, December 13 and 20, 5:30 p.m. · Where: Coronado Ferry Landing
The Ferry Landing is one of the best places to watch, and the pathway along the Coronado side of the bay tends to be less crowded than the Embarcadero. Over 75 boats are decorated for the 55th annual parade. Parade route and viewing areas.
Coronado Holiday Cabaret
When: Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19, 2 and 7 p.m. · Where: Coronado Playhouse
A holiday sing-along show. Discover Coronado.
Between Christmas and New Year’s
Holiday Bowl
When: Monday, December 28, 2 p.m. · Where: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
An ACC team meets a team from the former Pac-12 pool in the 47th Holiday Bowl. The matchup had not been announced at the time of writing. Holiday Bowl.
New Year’s Eve Concert
When: December 29 to 31 · Where: Coronado
A three-day celebration of music, wine and food, listed by Discover Coronado. Discover Coronado.
Thinking about making Coronado home? Rudy would be glad to talk it through. The four-question Home Strategy Quiz takes about a minute, and he will follow up personally.
Dates and times were checked on the organizers’ and cities’ own pages on October 3, 2026. Events can change or sell out, so open the linked page before you head out. This site is not affiliated with any event listed here.
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Related reading
- The Coronado Calendar: Seasons and Events — Summer concerts, the Fourth of July, holiday events and the market rhythms that shape the year.
- The Coronado Playbook: Buying, Owning, Living — Market updates, buying and selling guidance, and where to find Rudy Flores on social media.
- Buying a Home in Coronado: What to Know — Live numbers, loan limits and local notes for buyers in Coronado, plus your next steps.
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