December Nights is back! The City of San Diego's annual free holiday festival will kick off the holiday season this December 6, 2024 (from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) and December 7, 2024 (from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.). The event sprawls across Balboa Park and features tons of holiday lights and decorations, many different multicultural food options, live music, vendors, and much more.
Held the first Friday and Saturday of each December, the event was originally founded when ten Balboa Park cultural organizations hosted the first celebration. That year, 3,000 San Diegans gathered to be a part of the occasion, and it has been a treasured event ever since.
How to Get to December Nights
Free Shuttle Rides to Balboa Park from City College
Free rides will be available on the shuttle in downtown San Diego from City College Transit Center during December Nights on both Friday and Saturday. Take the UC San Diego Blue Line or Orange Line to City College Transit Center to catch the Park Blvd. shuttle. Fares are required to ride the Trolley.
To arrive on the east side of Balboa Park (Park Blvd. Shuttle):
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No Route 7 and Rapid 215 service between University Ave. and City College during December Nights.
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Park Blvd. shuttle will run from City College Transit Center to Balboa Park and will service all southbound stops between Zoo Dr. and Broadway.
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When leaving Balboa Park to head southbound back to City College, catch the Park Blvd. shuttle at any southbound side bus stop (west side of Park Blvd).
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Coming from Mid-City? You can take the detoured Route 7 or Rapid 215 to City College and then ride on the Park Blvd. shuttle.
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Please note: free rides are only available on the Park Blvd Shuttle.
To arrive on the west side of Balboa Park (Route 3 or 120):
MTS will provide nearby service to December Nights via Trolley to the Fifth Avenue Trolley Station, then transfer to Route 3 or 120.
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From the Fifth Avenue Trolley Station, walk to Fifth Avenue & C Street and take northbound Route 3 or 120 to Fifth and Laurel, then walk approximately two blocks east to the west side of Balboa Park.
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Return service to the Trolley is available at Fourth and Laurel until approximately 11:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
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Please note: free rides are only available on the Park Blvd Shuttle.
From the Green Line:
Riders can also take the southbound Route 120 from the Fashion Valley Transit Center. Exit at Fourth & Laurel. Walk 0.5 miles to Balboa Park.
UC San Diego Blue Line Alert:
After 10:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024 and after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024: There will be slightly reduced service between 12th & Imperial and San Ysidro on the UC San Diego Blue Line, with trains operating every 30 minutes starting at 10:08 p.m. This is due to emergency repairs on the tracks. There may be potential delays when riding after 10:00 p.m. on the UC San Diego Blue Line. For more information, please contact Information & Trip Planning at 619-233-3004. Normal operations will resume the following morning.
For more information:
Address and Directions
Balboa Park
1549 El Prado
San Diego, CA 92101
United States