⛸️ Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
Coronado at Christmas with kids
Curated by Simir Shah
The best days to go
Wed Dec 2
The Del's Holiday Festival: Skydiving Santa at 4:30pm, the Lightshow from 5pm and fireworks at 6:45pm, weather permitting.
Fri Dec 4 to Sat Dec 5
The Holiday Parade and tree lighting on Friday evening, then the rink's $35 value sessions before noon and the craft fair on Saturday.
Sun Dec 13 or Dec 20
Watch the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights from the Ferry Landing. Discover Coronado lists it as free, without a time, so check before you go.
Skating by the Sea
On the Windsor Lawn at Hotel del Coronado. Tickets are for 90 minutes and include skate rental, and on-site quantities are limited, so buy ahead.
Hours and prices
- Nov 20: 2 to 10pm
- Nov 21 to 29: 10am to 10pm
- Nov 30: 6 to 10pm only
- Dec 1 to 17: Mon to Thu 4 to 10pm, Fri 2 to 10pm, weekends 10am to 10pm
- Dec 18 to Jan 3: 10am to 10pm daily
$40 to $45 through Dec 17, then $45. Resort guests, members, military and first responders get $5 off with ID, except on value sessions.
$35 value sessions: before noon on Nov 21 to 25, Nov 29, Dec 5 and 6, and Dec 12 to 14, and all day Dec 1 and Dec 8.
Rules for little kids
- No minimum age, but under 12 needs a skating adult.
- No skate aids. Double-runner skates start at toddler size 8.
- You can't carry a child while skating, and strollers aren't allowed on the ice.
- Socks are required. Helmets are recommended but not provided.
- No refund if a small child decides not to skate.
It keeps running in light rain. If heavy rain or a storm closes it, tickets are rescheduled or refunded.
All season at The Del
Lights
Lightshow Spectacular at The Del
Nov 20 to Jan 3; nightly times not published
Pine trees on Founders Lawn lit to music, ending with snow flurries. On Dec 2 it runs 5 to 9pm with shows every 30 minutes.
No cost listed
Decorations
A Holiday Through Time
Nov 20 to Jan 3
This year's theme at The Del, with Christmas trees themed to different eras of the hotel's history.
No cost listed
Holiday calendar
Thanksgiving
Coronado Turkey Trot
Thu Nov 26
Listed on Discover Coronado's calendar. The time and start line are on the sign-up page.
See sign-up page
Santa
Holiday Festival with Skydiving Santa
Wed Dec 2. Santa lands at 4:30pm, fireworks at 6:45pm
Skating from 4pm and the Lightshow 5 to 9pm, weather permitting. Santa Passes for photo time slots are given out on-site, with no online reservations for this date.
Open to all; no price listed
Parade
Coronado Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Fri Dec 4; parade at 6pm, per Discover Coronado
The tree lighting is at Rotary Plaza, 1002 Orange Ave. The Chamber's page doesn't give the route or tree lighting time yet.
Free, per Discover Coronado
Santa
Photos with Santa at The Del
Dec 4 to 6, 11 to 13 and 18 to 24
Reservations are through The Del's Experiences page.
Reserve online; price not listed
Kids
Gingerbread House Decorating
Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 to 27
Families decorate a gingerbread house together at The Del.
Reserve online; price not listed
Market
Artisan's Alley Craft Fair
Sat Dec 5; hours not published
Listed on Discover Coronado's calendar.
No cost listed
Show
Holidays in Coronado Concert
Sat Dec 12, 6pm and 8pm
Performed by the Coronado Philharmonia. Tickets and the venue are on its site.
No cost listed
Boat parade
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Sun Dec 13 and Sun Dec 20; time not listed
Discover Coronado lists viewing at the Coronado Ferry Landing.
Free, per Discover Coronado
Christmas week
What's on at The Del
The rink runs 10am to 10pm daily, and the Lightshow continues through Jan 3. Santa photos run through Dec 24. The Crown Room has a Christmas Eve dinner buffet and Christmas Day brunch, and prices and reservations are on The Del's holidays page.
The Del also lists a private beach bonfire called Jingle Roast (Dec 1 to 27), and Elf Deliveries (Dec 12 and 13, and Dec 18 to 27). Both are reserved through its Experiences page, and prices aren't listed.
For other places open that day, see our winter break guide.
Plan your trip
Getting there and parking
Coronado is about 2.25 hours from LA and about 1.5 hours from Orange County.
Standard parking rates apply at The Del, and day visitors who shop or dine at the resort get $10 off self-parking.
What we couldn't confirm
The parade route and tree lighting time, the ferry's evening holiday schedule, Santa photo prices and the Lightshow's nightly times aren't published or couldn't be read. Check with the organizer first, especially if you plan to take the ferry.
Dates and details checked against official pages on Nov 1, 2026, and they can change.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado?
Nov 20, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027. Tickets are $40 to $45 with skate rental, and value sessions are $35 on select dates.
Can toddlers skate at the Hotel del Coronado?
There's no minimum age, but anyone under 12 needs a skating adult. There are no skate aids. Double-runner skates start at toddler size 8, and you can't carry a child while skating.
When is Skydiving Santa at the Del?
Wednesday, Dec 2, 2026, at 4:30pm, weather permitting, with fireworks at 6:45pm.
When is the Coronado Holiday Parade?
Friday, Dec 4, 2026. Discover Coronado lists it as free with the parade at 6pm. The tree lighting is at Rotary Plaza, 1002 Orange Ave.
Is the rink open on Christmas Day?
The rink's schedule shows 10am to 10pm daily from Dec 18 to Jan 3, at $45. It's subject to change.
Where can we watch the boat parade from Coronado?
Discover Coronado lists the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights at the Coronado Ferry Landing on Dec 13 and Dec 20, and as free.
How far is Coronado from LA and Orange County?
About 2.25 hours from LA and about 1.5 hours from Orange County.