San Diego, November 21, 2025
San Diego is set to celebrate the holiday season with diverse events this weekend. Highlights include the Santee Holiday Lighting Celebration, featuring live music and activities, as well as the Golden Girls Christmas Experience, offering a themed dining experience. Additional festive attractions include SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration and holiday events at LEGOLAND. Families are invited to experience joy and community spirit through these exciting activities.
San Diego, CA – Celebrate the Season with Weekend Events
San Diego offers a variety of festive events this weekend, including the Santee Holiday Lighting and the Golden Girls Christmas Experience. Here’s a guide to help you plan your weekend activities.
Santee Holiday Lighting Celebration
Event Details:
- Date and Time: Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
- Location: Santee Trolley Square, 9884 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, CA 92071
- Activities: Live music by the band Upstream, face painting, holiday photo opportunities, and more. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 6:15 PM.
- Parking: Limited parking available; using the Trolley Copper Line is recommended. The Green or Orange Line to El Cajon, then transfer to the Copper Line to Santee. Free parking is available at transit parking lots. Remember to load your PRONTO card or app in advance to avoid ticket lines. Tap or scan before every ride.
- Admission: Free
Weather Forecast for Friday, November 21, 2025:
- Conditions: Cloudy, 59°F (15°C)
- High: 67°F (19°C)
- Low: 51°F (11°C)
Golden Girls Christmas Experience
Event Details:
- Dates: November 19, 2025, through January 11, 2026
- Location: Bayside Kitchen & Bar, 2137 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
- Experience: Step into a Golden Girls-inspired paradise with themed cocktails, festive bites, and décor reminiscent of Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia. Enjoy photo opportunities in the reimagined iconic living room and lanai.
- Admission: General Admission tickets are $19.90+, with additional events like drag brunches available on weekends. Tickets can be purchased on BucketLister.com or through San Diego Bucket List on Instagram.
Weather Forecast for Saturday, November 22, 2025:
- Conditions: Mostly cloudy with a shower, High: 67°F (19°C), Low: 51°F (11°C)
Weather Forecast for Sunday, November 23, 2025:
- Conditions: Mostly sunny, High: 68°F (20°C), Low: 51°F (11°C)
Additional Weekend Events
- SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration: Through January 4, included with park admission. Enjoy one million lights across the park and the new Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas at the Sea Lion Stadium.
- Holidays at LEGOLAND: Through January 4, included with park admission. Experience seasonal treats and holiday LEGO decorations.
- California Pacific Ballet Academy: The Nutcracker: Saturday, November 22, at 7:00 PM at The Star Theatre. Tickets: $33.25.
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: Sunday, November 23, at 5:00 PM at The Old Globe. Tickets: $98+.
- Lighscape at San Diego Botanical Garden: Through January 4, tickets start at $32. Experience an immersive light and sound experience that transforms the garden into a glowing, enchanted world. Fun for all ages.
- John Legend: Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour: Sunday, November 23, at 7:30 PM at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Tickets: $70.50+.
- Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show: Sunday, November 23, at 7:00 PM at the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets: $48.50+.
- DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Twenty-Sided Tavern: Through November 23 at Balboa Theatre. Tickets: $51.25+.
For more information on these events and others, please visit the respective event websites or contact the event organizers directly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Santee Holiday Lighting Celebration?
The Santee Holiday Lighting Celebration is a festive event featuring live music, face painting, holiday photo opportunities, and a tree lighting ceremony at 6:15 PM. It takes place on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Santee Trolley Square, 9884 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, CA 92071. Admission is free, but parking is limited; using the Trolley Copper Line is recommended. The event will occur rain or shine.
What is the Golden Girls Christmas Experience?
The Golden Girls Christmas Experience is a holiday pop-up event inspired by the iconic TV show. It runs from November 19, 2025, through January 11, 2026, at Bayside Kitchen & Bar, 2137 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101. The experience includes themed cocktails, festive bites, and décor reminiscent of Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia. General Admission tickets are $19.90+, with additional events like drag brunches available on weekends. Tickets can be purchased on BucketLister.com or through San Diego Bucket List on Instagram.
What are the weather forecasts for the weekend of November 22-23, 2025, in San Diego?
The weather forecast for San Diego for the weekend of November 22-23, 2025, is as follows:
- Saturday, November 22: Mostly cloudy with a shower, High: 67°F (19°C), Low: 51°F (11°C)
- Sunday, November 23: Mostly sunny, High: 68°F (20°C), Low: 51°F (11°C)
What other events are happening in San Diego this weekend?
Other events happening in San Diego this weekend include:
- SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration: Through January 4, included with park admission. Enjoy one million lights across the park and the new Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas at the Sea Lion Stadium.
- Holidays at LEGOLAND: Through January 4, included with park admission. Experience seasonal treats and holiday LEGO decorations.
- California Pacific Ballet Academy: The Nutcracker: Saturday, November 22, at 7:00 PM at The Star Theatre. Tickets: $33.25.
- Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!: Sunday, November 23, at 5:00 PM at The Old Globe. Tickets: $98+.
- Lighscape at San Diego Botanical Garden: Through January 4, tickets start at $32. Experience an immersive light and sound experience that transforms the garden into a glowing, enchanted world. Fun for all ages.
- John Legend: Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour: Sunday, November 23, at 7:30 PM at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Tickets: $70.50+.
- Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show: Sunday, November 23, at 7:00 PM at the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets: $48.50+.
- DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: The Twenty-Sided Tavern: Through November 23 at Balboa Theatre. Tickets: $51.25+.
Event Highlights
| Event | Date | Location | Admission | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santee Holiday Lighting Celebration | Friday, November 21, 2025 | Santee Trolley Square | Free | Live music, holiday photo ops, tree lighting ceremony |
| Golden Girls Christmas Experience | November 19, 2025 – January 11, 2026 | Bayside Kitchen & Bar | $19.90+ | Themed cocktails, festive bites, iconic décor |
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Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.


