# San Diego Christmas Market 2026

> San Diego Christmas Market in San Diego, California: Dec 4 to 5, 2026. Hours, closed days, admission and where it is, checked against the organizer.

Source: https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/san-diego-december-nights/

San Diego, [California](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/california/)

Official name: Balboa Park December Nights

Friday, December 4 to Saturday, December 5, 2026

| Dates | Friday, December 4 to Saturday, December 5, 2026 |
| --- | --- |
| Days Closed | None listed: open every day of its run |
| Hours | Friday, Dec 4: **4 pm to 10 pm** Saturday, Dec 5: **noon to 10 pm** |
| Where | Across Balboa Park, centered on the Plaza de Panama and El Prado [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=32.7315,-117.1504) |
| Admission | Free festival; some museums offer free entry during the event |
| Organizer | City of San Diego. [Official website](https://www.sandiego.gov/december-nights) |
| Plan Your Trip | [Hotels for December 5](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=32.7315&lng=-117.1504&address=San%20Diego%2C%20CA%2C%20USA&checkin=2026-12-05&checkout=2026-12-06&currency=USD&campaign=bcmus_san_diego_december_nights_top) Map [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/) |

## Checked Against the Source

These dates and hours come from the city's own website, not from another guide.

- [Balboa Park](https://balboapark.org/home/december-nights/), checked November 4, 2026
- [City of San Diego](https://www.sandiego.gov/december-nights), checked November 4, 2026

Outdoor markets can close early for weather. On the day, check the [official website](https://www.sandiego.gov/december-nights). Something out of date? [Let us know](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/contact/).

## San Diego Christmas Market: Quick Answers

### When does San Diego Christmas Market open in 2026?

It opens on Friday, December 4, 2026.

### When does San Diego Christmas Market close for the season?

The last day is Saturday, December 5, 2026.

### What are San Diego Christmas Market's hours?

Friday, Dec 4 4 pm to 10 pm; Saturday, Dec 5 noon to 10 pm.

### Is San Diego Christmas Market open every day?

Yes. The organizer lists no closed days between Dec 4 and Dec 5.

### Where is San Diego Christmas Market?

Across Balboa Park, centered on the Plaza de Panama and El Prado, in San Diego, California.

### Is San Diego Christmas Market free, or do you need a ticket?

It is free to get in. Free festival; some museums offer free entry during the event.

## About San Diego Christmas Market

San Diego's biggest free holiday festival takes over Balboa Park for one weekend, with lights, stage shows, food and retail vendors, and open museums. It is a festival with shopping stalls rather than a European-style market.

## Where Is San Diego Christmas Market?

Across Balboa Park, centered on the Plaza de Panama and El Prado, San Diego, California. The other dots are nearby markets.

## Hotels Near San Diego Christmas Market

**Staying the night?** [See hotels near San Diego Christmas Market for Saturday, December 5](https://www.stay22.com/allez/roam?aid=bobbleventures&lat=32.7315&lng=-117.1504&address=San%20Diego%2C%20CA%2C%20USA&checkin=2026-12-05&checkout=2026-12-06&currency=USD&campaign=bcmus_san_diego_december_nights_link) [affiliate link](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/), or browse them on the map.

Map by Stay22. It loads only when you press the button. [affiliate](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/affiliate-disclosure/)

## Have You Been to San Diego Christmas Market?

Tell other visitors whether it was worth the trip. One vote per market, no account needed.

## Other Christmas Markets Nearby

[San Diego Holiday Market at Petco Park  San Diego, California  Dec 4 to 23, 2026  Open days within these dates not yet published  2 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/san-diego-petco-park-holiday-wonderland/) [San Diego Made Holiday Market  San Diego, California  Nov 28 to 29, 2026  4 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/san-diego-made-holiday-market/) [San Diego German Christmas Market  El Cajon, California  Dec 12 to 13, 2026  12 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/el-cajon-weihnachtsmarkt/) [Orange County Christmas Market  Huntington Beach, California  Nov 15, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027  Open days within these dates not yet published  85 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/huntington-beach-christmas-market-oc/) [Los Angeles Holiday Market  Los Angeles, California  Nov 14 to 15, 2026  94 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/los-angeles-holiday-makers-market/) [Huntington Holiday Market  San Marino, California  Nov 21, 2026  111 miles away](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/markets/san-marino-huntington-holiday-market/)

[More Christmas Markets in California](https://bestchristmasmarketsusa.com/states/california/)