The weekend is here, and there’s no shortage of concerts, performances, and festive events on both sides of the border. From major artists to holiday parades, here are the top picks to enjoy from start to finish.
Emmanuel
El Rey Azul returns to the stage with a show built around his timeless hits. If you’re a fan of classics like La Chica de Humo and Bella Señora, this is your moment. Get ready for a standout Friday night.
Venue: El Foro
Date: December 12
Time: 9:00 pm
Price: $600–$6,000 MXN (approx. $34–$340 USD)
Mario Bautista
The singer and digital creator arrives in Tijuana to close out the year with his fans, delivering a high-energy concert for his loyal “bautisters.” Expect an upbeat, celebratory show.
Venue: Black Box TJ
Date: December 12
Time: 7:00 pm
Price: $800–$2,000 MXN (approx. $45–$113 USD)
Ángela Aguilar
The youngest member of the Aguilar dynasty takes the stage with a wide repertoire beloved by fans across the region. If you’ve followed her rise, this performance is one you won’t want to miss.
Venue: The Magnolia
Date: December 12
Time: 8:00 pm
Price: $75–$747 USD
The Nutcracker
A holiday classic brought to life through Tchaikovsky’s music, traditional choreography, and festive staging. Follow Clara’s journey as toys and soldiers awaken at midnight in this timeless seasonal production.
Venue: Golden State Ballet
Dates: December 12–21
Times: Shows between 7:30 pm and 9:40 pm
Price: $65–$350 USD
Annie
A special staging of Annie presented by Star Theatre Company in historic Oceanside. With familiar songs and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a perfect December outing.
Venue: Star Theatre, 402 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA
Dates: December 11–14
Times: 2:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Price: $22–$32 USD
Gaslamp Pet Parade
A free, festive tradition in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, featuring pets dressed in holiday costumes alongside their owners. After the parade, the “Pups in the Pub” celebration offers drinks, activities, and playful stops for pets and their humans.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Date: December 13
Time: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: Free
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Celebrating its 55th edition, this year’s free boat parade embraces the theme “An Out of This World Christmas,” imagining Santa as an astronaut and elves as glowing extraterrestrials as illuminated boats glide across the bay.
Location: San Diego Bay
Dates: December 14 and 21
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:40 pm
Price: Free
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
A nighttime experience where glowing installations, illuminated tunnels, and light sculptures transform the garden into a seasonal landscape. The mile-long route features music, photo spots, and food stands.
Venue: San Diego Botanic Garden, Encinitas
Dates: Through January 4, 2026
Time: From 5 pm
Price: $28–$35 USD
Candlelight: Bad Bunny
A candlelit concert where a string quartet performs hits like Tití Me Preguntó, Ojitos Lindos, Callaíta, Me Porto Bonito, and Yonaguni in an intimate, atmospheric setting that reimagines reggaeton through a classical lens.
Venue: San Diego Natural History Museum
Date: December 14
Time: 6:15 pm
Price: $76 USD
Hermanos de Leche
The popular duo from northern Mexico brings its irreverent humor and signature storytelling to Tijuana, promising a lively show built around their most memorable — and often controversial — moments.
Venue: El Foro
Date: December 13
Time: 9 pm
Price: $450–$1,200 MXN (approx. $25–$68 USD)
