San Diego Botanic Garden’s Annual Gift to the San Diego Community
Encinitas CA— After the sun goes down in December, the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland! More than 125,000 sparkling lights illuminate the flora of this fantastic 37-acre urban oasis each evening from 5 – 9 pm for a magical holiday experience.
Bring the family and experience the magic as 100,000 sparkling lights illuminate several spectacular Garden areas, including the iconic Lawn Garden, Tropical Rainforest, Waterfall Deck, Undersea Succulent Garden, Eucalyptus Grove, Seeds of Wonder (children’s area) and Bamboo Garden, containing the nation’s largest collection of bamboo.
Garden of Lights, from December 3 – 23 & 26 – 30, is the San Diego Botanic Garden’s annual gift to the San Diego Community. Garden of Lights has events and activities that everyone in your family will enjoy. Nightly entertainment, including local blues and jazz bands, as well as delicious food from Red Oven Artisanal Pizza and Pasta, and hot coffee and treats from the Feel Good Coffee Cart, will be available. Numerous family-friendly activities are also part of the festivities including:
- Horse-drawn wagon rides (on selected evenings)
- Holiday Crafts
- Spin Art
- Entertainment – Every Night
- Visits with Santa (December 3 – 23)
- Hot Mulled Wine (on selected evenings)
- Snow for sledding (on selected evenings)
- Holiday Carolers (on selected evenings)
- Nutcracker display
Unique plant-related gift items will be on sale at our Gift Shops for the plant lovers in your life. Cork purses, garden-themed jewelry, hats, aprons, candles, and garden art are all available. As well as winter plants, ready to enhance your holiday garden.
Come out and experience the holidays ‘Southern California Style’ at San Diego Botanic Garden’s Garden of Lights!
- Admission (Sunday – Thursday): Members $10; seniors, active military, and students $10; non-members $15. Children ages 3–12, $5. Children 2 and under free. There will be additional fees for some activities.
- Admission on Premium Nights (Friday and Saturday): Members, Seniors, Military $10, Non-Members $20, Children ages 3-12 $5. Children 2 and under free. There will be additional fees for some activities.
- Tickets for Garden of Lights are available at the Welcome Center at the SD Botanic Garden on the evening of visitation. There are no advance ticket sales available at the Garden or on the website.
| DATE | % Chance of Snow* |
Mulled Wine** |
Entertainment | Horse & Wagon |
| Sat, Dec 3 |
100% | YES | Silver Wood – duo | NO |
| Sun, Dec 4 |
50% | YES | Joe Rathburn – An Eclectic Accoustic Holiday | NO |
| Mon, Dec 5 |
100% | YES | The guitar & vocal sounds of ‘JJ’ Jenkins | NO |
| Tue, Dec 6 |
50% | YES | The Jolly Holidays – a traditional Holiday Celebration |
NO |
| Wed, Dec 7 | 100% | YES | Ecke YMCA dance group | NO |
| Thur, Dec 8 | 50% | YES | Moonlight Youth Holiday Stars |
NO |
| Fri, Dec 9 |
50% | YES | Latin Holidays with The Ray Briz Trio |
NO |
| Sat, Dec 10 |
100% | YES | Sacha Boutros wishes you a Merry Christmas! | YES |
| Sun, Dec 11 |
50% | YES | Peace on Earth Carolers – A Victorian Christmas |
YES |
| Mon, Dec 12 | 100% | YES | The Decembers – A 1950s Christmas celebration | YES |
| Tue, Dec 13 |
50% | YES | Carlsbad Community Theatre | YES |
| Wed, Dec 14 | 25% | YES | Janet Hammer ‘Sweathearts’ trio | YES |
| Thur, Dec 15 | N/A | YES | Highland Way X-Mas Show | YES |
| Fri, Dec 16 |
N/A | YES | Rhythm Express (Janet Hammer trio) |
YES |
| Sat, Dec 17 |
N/A | YES | Leonard Patton singing in the Holidays | YES |
| Sun, Dec 18 |
N/A | YES | Mariachi imperial de san diego |
YES |
| Mon, Dec 19 | N/A | YES | Double Take | YES |
| Tue, Dec 20 |
N/A | YES | Holiday Hipsters Quartet | YES |
| Fri, Dec 21 |
N/A | YES | Tripp Sprague & the Ray Briz Trio wishing you Happy Holidays |
YES |
| Sat, Dec 22 |
N/A | YES | Jimmer Bolden Quartet wishing you Jazzy Holidays | YES |
| Sun, Dec 23 | N/A | YES | Jimmer Bolden Quartet wishing you Jazzy Holidays | YES |
| Mon, Dec 26 | 100% | YES | The guitar & vocal sounds of ‘JJ’ Jenkins |
YES |
| Tue, Dec 27 |
50% | YES | Joe Rathburn – An Eclectic Accoustic Holiday | YES |
| Wed, Dec 28 |
100% | YES | Joe Rathburn- An Eclectic Accoustic Holiday | YES |
| Thurs, Dec 29 |
50% | YES | Con Alma wishing you Happy Holidays | YES |
| Fri, Dec 30 |
25% | YES | Len Rainey & the Midnight Players- Bluesy Holidays | YES |
*The snow forecast is a “Best Guess” prediction based on information available at the time of posting. All snow activity days are dependent upon the current weather conditions and subject to change.
The Garden of Lights is presented by the County of San Diego.
Shea Homes are Gold Sponsors of Garden of Lights.
About San Diego Botanic Garden
The San Diego Botanic Garden is a beautiful urban retreat nestled on 37-acres in the midst of Encinitas. Visitors enjoy restful vistas, flowering trees, majestic palms, and the nation’s largest bamboo collection. Thanks to our mild Southern California climate, plants from all over the world thrive here. Our diverse topography provides a wide variety of microclimates giving visitors the sensation of strolling through a tropical rainforest to hiking in the desert. Four miles of trails wind through 29 uniquely themed gardens including the acclaimed Hamilton Children’s Garden. In addition, the Garden regularly offers classes covering many topics including water conservation, fire-safe landscaping, hands-on flower and plant arranging, art in various media, and healthy cooking. Visitors and members also participate in frequent special weekend events and Docent-led tours.