December Nights
at Balboa park
 December Nights at Balboa Park is a wild mix of music, dance, food, shows, and entertainment for the whole family. For San Diegans, it is the event that signifies the beginning of the Holiday season. Started in 1978, this 2-day event is estimated to bring over 300,000 visitors into Balboa park.  On the first Friday & Saturday of December, Balboa Park hosts a bonanza of activities and entry into some of the museums is free! It is impossible to describe everything that goes on during December Nights because there is so much going on. Here's a list of events from previous years. Keep in mind that things change yearly and there are always some unavoidable last-minute changes.
Shows
Appearance by Santa Claus
Ballet, jazz, hip-hop, break dancing
Barbershop style chorus
Big Band and Jazz
Bluegrass and Folk music
Broadway musicals
Cajon music
Classic Hand bell Choir
Dance and Mime
Egyptian Oriental Belly Dance
Flamenco dance
Gregorian Chant
Gospel and Opera
Holiday Tunes on Organ
Holiday Tunes on Tuba
International Performances from Around the World
Louisiana-style Cajun music
Middle Eastern Dance
Polynesian performances
Renaissance Christmas music
Scotland Pipe Band
Santa Lucia Procession
Variety Show
All shows are free but some organization may generate income by selling items (CD, food), soliciting donations, or offering seasonal-activities at a minor cost.
 Food
In addition to the above shows, December Nights at Balboa park offers a lot of good food. - At the International Cottages, representatives from different countries serve up ethnic snacks, drinks, meals, and desserts. Expect food from Turkey, Colombia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Puerto Rico, and more. (map location D)
- Food is available at the Cascades Holiday Marketplace on the east end of El Prada near the water fountain. Expect to find pasta, hot dogs, fries, and the like. (map location H).
- Food is also available at the Paliside Midway near President's Way. Expect to find country-fair treats such as kettle corn, cotton candy, and some real food as well. (map location B)
Games and Rides 
The Paliside Midway, as its name suggests, is a fair-like outfit with rides, games, kettle corn, cotton candy and the like. December Nights 2008 offered a new attraction: a full-sized, outdoor ice skating rink! Food, rides, and skating require the purchase of tickets at the ticket booths. The tickets are then redeemed for food or fun. When buying tickets, be sure to buy Food Tickets for food and Ride Tickets for fun and games. Food merchants and ride controllers will only accept the corresponding tickets.
Things to See
Just walking around Balboa Park is eventful enough! Keep an eye out for these captivating scenes:
- light canopy courtesy of SDG&E
- Santa and his flying reindeer
- Organ Pavilion with central Christmas tree
- Nativity scenes along the north side of the Organ Pavilion
- the Balboa Park community tree
- Fantasy of Trees
- free entry to participating museums
(from 5 pm to 9 pm)
Location, Hours of Operation, Parking, and Facilities
December Nights
at Balboa Park
The first Friday and Saturday of December:
Friday, December 4, 2009; 5 pm to 10 pm.
Saturday, December 5, 2009; noon to 10 pm Traffic and parking is terrible. Officials recommend that you take public transportation and that you avoid highway 163 and Park Blvd - it is bumper-to-bumper with no parking in sight. Off-site parking is recommended and there is a free shuttle that will transport you to and from Balboa Park. These parking lots include: - PETCO Park and Lots around Park Blvd. and Imperial Ave. - Parking is only $3.00/vehicle and there are more than 2,000 parking spaces in this area. Shuttle takes less than 10 minutes and drops off at 6th and Laurel Streets.
- County Administration Building North Lot at 1600 Pacific Highway (corner of Grape St.). Parking is free in the North Lot.
- City College Lots between 16th and "B" Street. Parking is free from 4:30 to 11 pm on Friday, and from noon to 11 pm on Saturday.
Bathrooms are available in the building throughout Balboa Park and porta-potties are installed especially for these two busy nights.
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