Locals don’t take the winter season off in San Diego as there are plenty of classic pastimes to help you enjoy the area and its exciting recreational opportunities. There are numerous free and affordable activities you can do, from enjoying traditional holiday parades that are shared on TVs around the world, to saying “Hello!” to migrating whales on the Pacific Coast. The fun never ends because the beautiful weather of San Diego makes winter a wonderful time.

Christmas Spirit

Get the season started right with the festivities at Balboa Park’s December Nights, a two day celebration of fun, camaraderie and holiday cheer during the first weekend of every December. In addition to the festive foods and alluring scents, many educational museums and attractions in Balboa Park (the largest urban cultural park in the nation) open their doors for free. Enjoy carolers, live music and light displays. Ring in the holiday season with this special festival to instill a sense of good cheer.

Whale Watching

California whales migrate to the warmer waters which play home to their breeding grounds off the coast of Baja, CA, just south of San Diego. From September through March, these spectacular animals offer a wonderful show as they pass through the majestic San Diego coastline. It’s a truly inspiring vision of nature that can be shared by the whole family.

Christmas Blues

The Blue Christmas in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter on Dec. 10, features live blues, rock and R&B performances, all for free. Live music is offered up at 10 different venues, each delivery a different variety to please any musical palate. There’s nothing like getting into the holiday cheer with some good blues that really jazzes up the night.

Mother Goose Parade

Follow a tradition that’s been a gift to San Diego children since 1947. The Annual Mother Goose Parade on Nov. 22 in the East County city of El Cajon, features one of the biggest parades of its kind in the country. As the largest single day event in San Diego, the parade features floats, marching bands and celebrity appearances, which includes the harry jawed patron of Christmas himself, Santa Claus.

Organ Concerts

Spreckals Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park features free organ concerts at 2 p.m. every Sunday. This includes performances on the world’s largest pipe organ, a San Diego landmark of pride for over 90 years. The 32 foot tall pipes bellow holiday favorites, waltzes and show tunes with an immense propensity that is radiantly awe inspiring, its sure to launch you right out of your seat.

San Diego Beaches

There’s nothing like a beautiful beach while your friends back home are shoveling snow from their driveways in the thick of winter. You can take a walk on San Diego’s 70 miles of beaches, all free and open to the public. With great weather year round, it’s always beach season in San Diego, even in the middle of winter. Live it up and keep sand in your soul while the rest of the world is dumped in snow.

San Diego Bay Lights

The waters of the San Diego Bay are lit up by more than 100 privately decorated boats for the 38th Annual Port of San Diego Parade of Lights on Dec. 13 and 20. Catch the show from the dry land of the Shelter Island, Marina park, the Embarcadero, Sea Port Village and Coronado’s Ferry Landing.

As you can see, even in the dead of winter, San Diego is full of life with numerous activities to choose from. But plan ahead, you may find it hard to catch them all!