About the Festival
The Festival of Lights San Diego is an anticipated celebration since it showcases an area filled with thousands of twinkle lights since it is a light festival. It is annually celebrated every year by the month of December to make the holidays feel and look even better. Also, although we are currently facing a global health crisis, the organizers of this festival were not stopped to do it this year. In this way, there will be more sheds of light, hope, and new beginnings in life.
Another thing, this festival has been a part of the city’s culture, and refusal to celebrate it is impossible to happen. As the people started to grow up having this festival being celebrated yearly, it deserves to be continued until the end. Moving forward, below are more facts about the festival that you need to know, especially if you are planning to visit.
Festival dates (2022)
The Festival of Lights San Diego is annually celebrated in the month of December. This is to extend the ambiance and serene feeling being brought by the festival with the holiday celebration – making visitors both local and international happier. Also, although we are still under a uncured global disease, the management and organizers of this festival have made their most effective decisions and efforts in continuing the celebration alongside abiding by the health protocols. This will ensure that every visitor will be safe from harm, allowing them to live life to the fullest and best seasons.
Moreover, for this year’s celebration, the Festival of Lights San Diego was scheduled to be celebrated on the December 2022. This celebration will last for a month as an extension and addition to the holiday season. So, if you are looking forward to attending this celebration, then as early as now, pack your things and prepare so that there will be no more trouble when the day has arrived.
Festival Address
The annual Festival of Lights San Diego is celebrated within the lands of San Diego. However, there are two most common places wherein this festival is mostly held: the Balboa Park and Bankers Hill.
In Balboa Park, you only need to ask for a grab rider to drop you off at the said location. This isn’t a hard place to find since it is well-known and everybody anticipates it. If not, you can rely on your mobile map applications and software to lead you to the direction. Besides, mobile map apps show accurate directions so you won’t get lost.
The same thing with Bankers Hill. You can take a grab, or have your own ride, and you can rely on mobile application maps. These two locations are the most favorite since it provides a different kind of view and ambiance that anyone can enjoy.
Here, you can witness an amazing sunset with a view of the city and ocean. These places are also perfect for picture taking if you are into updating your social media accounts.
Moving on, let’s proceed to the operation time of the Festival of Lights San Diego.
Festival hours
The celebration of the Festival of Lights San Diego usually starts at exactly 5 PM and ends at 11 PM. These are the most recommended time since the sun is about to set down. Also, it gives the visitors an amazing sunset view and the thousands of blinking Christmas lights. In short, it is a Christmas light show after the sunset, so every dollar, time, and effort will be worth it.
Still, the schedule can change depending on circumstances, especially given that we still have a pandemic that raises health threats to the people. There are also days in which the festival is closed if there are strict protocols to be followed. Above all, the management and operators of this event are doing their best to provide the visitors with the best Festival of Lights San Diego experience.
How much it cost to visit the fest
Attending and enjoying the place within the celebration of Festival of Lights San Diego will not cost you that much. However, at the end of the day, the cost still depends on the way you spend and the number of your accompany.
This festival of lights offers free admission to every visitor. However, there is a VIP ticket that costs $50. This VIP ticket will allow the visitors to enjoy the enticing view and lights without any hassle and exposure to too much crowd.
For the kids, the VIP ticket is sold for only $35 as a discounted price. If you’re not into having a VIP ticket, then you can try the “reserved seat” that costs only $10. This seat is offered to those visitors who are on a tight budget.
Another thing, it’s still better to prepare more budget aside from the ticket since there are surrounding restaurants, hotels, and other stalls that you can visit within the vicinity of the festival. Besides, if it’s your first time visiting this celebration, better prepare to make the most out of it. Also, there are a Christmas light show and a light exhibition that you might look forward to.
What to Wear to the lights festival
This festival of lights is an anticipated one, and it is celebrated every month of December. For this year, it was scheduled as the 12th day of December to make an extension to the holiday season. Also, it is located either at Bankers Hill or Balboa Park.
Given these dates and places, it is expected that the weather will be humid both in the daytime and nighttime. The humidity level can reach up to 800, so wearing thin and breathable clothes is recommended. Thin shirts, pants, comfortable shoes, and light accessories are necessary to fully enjoy the festival.
Top 3 Nearby Hotels
Of course, the festival will not be complete without staying in a world-class and worth it hotel. So, these are the top 3 nearby hotels that you can consider:
Marriot Marquis San Diego
This hotel became first on the list since it offers the best services of a hotel. With its high recommendation ratings from its previous customers, this hotel came as one of the best picks. Here, you will be served with the best and high-quality services along with security. In this way, you’ll feel the best safety and serenity during your stay.
Beach Village
Next on the list, we have the Beach Village, which is perfect if you are extending your stay to enjoy the beach. Since San Diego has one of the best beach lines, then this hotel can be the perfect match for you. Also, this hotel offers top-tier services and menus that you can’t find in other hotels. So, if you are looking forward to experiencing only the best, then this is the best choice.
Another thing, Beach Village ensures the safety of every customer they have, especially in this time wherein a pandemic is still out there, lurking and finding its next victim. Here, you’ll feel the best security ad assurance that you’ll have the best stay.
Bay Club Hotel and Marina
Garnering the third spot, we have the Bay Club Hotel and Marina, which is well-known for its ambiance and landscape. If you are looking for a hotel that can make you feel like you’re in a tropical and much beach vibe, then this is the best choice. This hotel offers the best menus, especially its alcoholic beverages that are served with class.
Top 3 nearby Restaurants
Next, food won’t be missed out every time you take a break in this kind of Christmas light festival filled with fairy lights and hundreds of twinkle light trees. So, here are the best three restaurants nearby said festival that you need to try!
Panorama Bar and Grill
First, we have the Panorama Bar and Grill, which is well-known for its grilled menus. If you are looking for steak and protein-filled dining, then this is the best choice. Aside from that, this restaurant also offers the best alcohol and other beverages to spice up your dining.
Above all, this restaurant is the best place if you are looking forward to romance with your partner!
Tom Hams Lighthouse
Next, we have the Tom Hams Lighthouse, which is known for its authentic cuisines. The food varies depending on the theme, which is the best thing here. Also, since it is a lighthouse, this restaurant will provide you with a different kind of vibe and view to enjoy with yourself or friends and families.
Bali Hai Restaurant
Lastly, if you are a fan of Bali cuisines, then the Bali Hai Restaurant is the one perfect for you. Here, you’ll be able to taste and feel the richness of every Thai cuisine that you’ve been craving all the time. The spiciness, sweetness, and other flavors will make the best out of your taste buds, making you crave more dishes.
More Things to Do in the Area
Regarding the other things to do in this area, you can choose the following:
Mutt Strut
If you are a pet lover, then this activity is for you. Here, you can bring your pet dog to join the strut and showcase the best outfits and stuff of your pet. This is held on the first day of the festival from 12 PM to 4 PM at Hendry Street or Bay Street.
Crafts on the River
Another thing, you can join the Crafts on the River, which is an activity for crafters and national artisans to showcase their creativity in doing different products. This is held on the last two days of the festival from 10 AM to 5 PM at Lee County Second Street Lot.
