Balboa Park’s December Nights is back the first weekend of December, and it’s still free. The City of San Diego calls it its largest free holiday festival, and if you’ve been, you know it feels like half the county shows up. That’s exactly why a little planning goes a long way. Here’s what’s confirmed so far, and how to get there without spending your night in a parking line.
- When
- Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, 4–10 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, noon–10 p.m.
- Where
- Balboa Park, San Diego
- Cost
- Free admission (City of San Diego). Parking, food and some activities cost extra.
- Info
- sandiego.gov/december-nights
- December Nights 2026 runs Friday, Dec. 4, 4–10 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 5, noon–10 p.m.
- Admission is free. Paid parking near the park sells out, and last year the closest lots ran $25 to $52.95.
- The easiest option last year was free parking at the City College garages plus a free shuttle.
- Leave pets at home. Service animals are welcome.
What’s new this year
The City has posted a few new details for 2026 on the official December Nights page:
- A sock drive for PATH San Diego. SDG&E is collecting socks for PATH, which helps people experiencing homelessness. You can drop off donations at the SDG&E booth, the SDG&E truck in Plaza de Panamá, the Toyota Sienna Sleigh, the Merge 4 booth or the Balboa Park Visitors Center.
- Free Wi-Fi. Cox is providing it. Look for the “Cox WiFi” network.
- Smart restrooms. Throne is bringing its smart bathrooms to the event.
The full entertainment lineup and food details hadn’t been posted as of early November. We’ll update this story when they are.
How to get to December Nights
As of Nov. 2, the City’s parking and shuttle pages still showed last year’s details. They’re a good guide to how the weekend usually works, but check the official page before you go in case anything changes.
Free parking and a free shuttle
Last year, the four City College parking garages were free on a first-come, first-served basis, with a free shuttle pickup at 16th and B streets. Free shuttles also ran from downtown (3rd Avenue and A Street, near City Hall) and Little Italy (Beech Street and Kettner Boulevard, near the County Administration Center garages and the Green Line trolley). Shuttles dropped off at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street, started at 2 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Saturday, and made their last runs from the park at 11:15 p.m. All shuttles used ADA-capable vehicles.
Paid lots close to the action
According to the City of San Diego’s official Balboa Park December Nights website, listed prices from last year’s event were as follows. The City hadn’t posted 2026 prices as of Nov. 2, and they may change.
- Inspiration Point (Lot A): $32.95 in advance, $37.95 at the event. Card only.
- Federal Lot (Lot B, preferred): $47.95 in advance, $52.95 at the event. Card only.
- San Diego Zoo lot: $35, card only, entering from Zoo Drive off southbound Park Boulevard.
- San Diego High School: $25 or $35 depending on the lot, first-come, first-served.
- Roosevelt Middle School: $40, event day only, first-come, first-served.
Trolley, bus and bike
The City College transit hub is served by the Blue and Orange Line trolleys and several bus routes. From there, it’s about 1.5 miles to the park, or a quick ride on the free shuttle. Last year, MTS Route 7 and Rapid 215 skipped Park Boulevard between University Avenue and City College during the event, so check MTS before you ride. Riders 18 and under ride MTS and NCTD free with a Youth PRONTO account or card. If you’d rather bike, free bike valets are set up near the park.
Accessible parking
Limited accessible parking is off Park Boulevard at the Fleet Science Center (Space Theater Way) and the Natural History Museum (Village Place), first-come, first-served with a state-issued disabled placard or plate. A few free disabled spaces are also on Zoo Drive in front of the Zoo Administration Building, and Lots A and B have a limited number.
Know before you go
- No pets. Trained service animals are welcome.
- No bikes, skateboards or scooters inside the event. Motorized mobility devices for people who need them are allowed.
- No drones without written FAA authorization and the organizer’s permission.
- Alcohol stays in designated areas.
- Watch for vendor scams. The City says vendor applications go only through DecemberNights.org, and it never asks for payment by Zelle or other person-to-person apps.
Common questions
When is December Nights 2026?
Friday, Dec. 4, from 4 to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 10 p.m., in Balboa Park.
Is December Nights free?
Yes. The City of San Diego describes it as its largest free holiday festival. Parking near the park, food and some activities cost extra.
What’s the best way to park for December Nights?
Last year, the simplest option was the free City College garages plus the free shuttle from 16th and B streets. Paid lots inside the park fill early, especially Saturday.
Making a December list? See what’s new at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, and check our look at where holiday budgets are going this year.
Top photo: Live music at a past December Nights in Balboa Park.
