November in San Diego can take you from a film festival or a waterfront tasting to tree lightings and an evening under holiday lights. If you saved my November events reel, here’s the companion guide with dates, official links and a clearer look at which outings are free and which need tickets.
Planning update, November 4: Del Mar’s official fall racing season begins November 6, rather than November 5 shown in the reel. Food + Wine has a full November 1–8 program, with its signature events November 6–8. Use the organizer links below for the current schedule.
Fleet Week San Diego: November 1–15
Fleet Week brings military-community events to San Diego through the first half of the month. The dates to save for public ship tours at Broadway Pier are November 13–15; the broader schedule also includes Meet the Fleet at 32nd Street on November 7. Check the official event schedule for the specific activity, location and entry requirements. Don’t assume ships are open for tours on every date of Fleet Week.
The Grinch at The Old Globe: November 4–December 31
Make this your ticketed theatre night in Balboa Park. Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! runs November 4–December 31 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre. Choose a performance from the official calendar and read the age and ticket rules before booking. The musical is separate from the free plaza displays and tree lighting below.
San Diego Asian Film Festival: November 5–14
The 27th San Diego Asian Film Festival runs November 5–14, with screenings across its listed venues. Browse the program for a film you want to see, then check that screening’s venue and admission options. The official special-events schedule confirms the opening-night film on November 5 and the closing-night film on November 14.
Food + Wine Festival: signature events November 6–8
The full San Diego Food + Wine Festival runs November 1–8. For the signature weekend experiences, look at Icons + Legends on November 6 at JULEP, Grand Tasting on November 7 and Grand Fiesta on November 8 at Embarcadero Marina Park North. These are separate ticketed events, so pick the format you want instead of treating the festival as one general-admission outing.
Del Mar fall racing: November 6–29
The Bing Crosby Season at Del Mar runs November 6–29 on scheduled racing days, with the Turf Festival November 26–29. Check the calendar for your chosen day before driving north; this is not a daily event throughout the date range. Admission options and race-day timing are listed by Del Mar.
San Diego Beer Week: November 6–15
The San Diego Brewers Guild’s Beer Week runs November 6–15 at participating breweries, bars and restaurants around the county. It’s a collection of individual events, releases and collaborations rather than one festival ticket. Look for the participating venue’s own details, budget for any admission or purchases, and plan a designated driver or another way home if you’ll be drinking.
North Park Community Fair: November 7
For a neighborhood shopping day, North Park Community Fair: Shop North Park takes place November 7 on North Park Way between 29th and Ray streets. It’s free, all ages and dog friendly. The organizer and City calendar list different ending times, so check the organizer’s latest update before planning a late arrival.
Whoville lights and the Old Globe tree lighting
The Old Globe’s holiday plaza program gives you a festive Balboa Park stop alongside the musical season. The free tree-lighting ceremony is November 8 at 6 p.m., with a Grinch cast performance and snowfall effect. Reservations are required, and a reservation does not include the musical. The plaza’s light-and-music display is also listed every 15 minutes from 5:20 p.m. through midnight during the season.
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration: November 13–January 3
SeaWorld San Diego’s event calendar lists its Christmas Celebration daily from November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Seasonal entertainment is included with park admission. Check the Christmas event page and your visit date’s schedule for the available shows and activities. Park admission, food and any optional extras still need to be budgeted for.
Lightscape: November 20–January 3
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden turns an evening walk into a mile-long illuminated trail in Encinitas. The 2026 season runs November 20–January 3, with dated, timed tickets. Use the ticket calendar to confirm an operating night and entry slot. This is a separate holiday event, so don’t assume a daytime garden ticket covers it.
Hotel del Coronado holidays: beginning November 20
The Del’s Lightshow Spectacular is the free option to save: November 20–January 3 on Founders Lawn, with a 10-minute show every half hour from 5–9 p.m. It is open to the public without reservations. Beachfront ice skating runs during the same season but is separately ticketed. Hotel parking, food and drinks are extra.
Encinitas Holiday Street Fair: November 22
The Encinitas Holiday Street Fair takes over downtown South Coast Highway 101 on Sunday, November 22. Save it for browsing vendors, gifts and food with a walk through town. Admission is free, with shopping and food purchases extra. Check the current event page for arrival and parking information; the organizer’s published ending times are not consistent across its pages.
Liberty Station tree lighting: November 27
Liberty Station’s Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities are scheduled for Friday, November 27, from 5–9 p.m. around the North Promenade and Vesper Venue. The free community celebration includes music and seasonal activities, with a showing of The Grinch in the program. The listed window is for the overall event, not a confirmed time when the tree itself lights up.
Surfin’ Santa at Seaport Village: November 28
Surfin’ Santa returns November 28, 2026, from 1–4 p.m. at Seaport Village. Santa arrives by watercraft and joins a parade to the Fountain Courtyard, with free downloadable photos included in the event. The official page’s URL still contains “2025,” but its displayed date is 2026. Plan separately for parking and anything you buy while you’re there.
Julian Country Christmas: November 28
For a mountain-town holiday outing, Julian’s Country Christmas is November 28. The Chamber’s 2026 flyer lists festivities from noon–7 p.m., including a Christmas market, music and Santa. It is a free community event, but purchases are separate. The flyer does not give an exact tree-lighting time, so check the latest announcement before planning your arrival around that moment.
San Diego Made Holiday Market: November 28–29
Shop local makers at the San Diego Made Holiday Market in NTC Park at Liberty Station, 2705 Cushing Road. The 2026 event runs Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, November 29, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The organizer lists 175-plus makers, food trucks and live music, with $5 presale or $6 door admission. Check checkout for any additional ticket charges.
Safari Park Wild Holidays: select nights from November 28
Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park begins for the public on November 28. This month’s public dates are November 28–29; November 27 is a members-only preview. Festivities are included with admission or membership, and the park stays open until 8 p.m. on event evenings. Later dates are December 18–23 and December 26–January 3.
Build a November plan that fits your budget
Choose one main outing, then add a nearby meal or short walk rather than filling the day with drives across the county. For ticketed events, check the exact date, age rules, total price and cancellation policy before buying. Free admission does not necessarily cover parking, food or optional activities.
Want more options? Browse my free November events, family-friendly outings, holiday pop-ups and concert calendar.
Dates and planning details checked against organizer pages on November 4, 2026. Schedules, prices and availability can change; confirm with the linked organizer before leaving or booking.
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