Neon sign featuring a palm tree with Santa and his sleigh overhead, reading "Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular Del Mar.

Celebrating Christmas 2025 in coastal North County San Diego

December 23, 2025/Jan Wagner/
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Hanukkah is over for 2025 but Christmas celebrations are in full swing in coastal North County San Diego. Holiday lights sparkle in neighborhoods throughout the county…

A house and yard decorated with colorful Christmas lights, inflatable holiday figures, a Christmas tree, and illuminated candy canes at night.

… and the “Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular” and holiday village lights up the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Neon holiday light display reading "Coastal Christmas Holiday Lights Spectacular Del Mar" with palm tree, Santa, and reindeer decorations surrounded by colorful lights.

Some of you may recall, as do I, that a visit to enjoy the special animated holiday lights displays at the Del Mar Fairgrounds used to require driving slowly in a long procession of cars along a meandering path. You remained in your vehicles, looked once as you slowly drove past at all the beautiful displays and then you left. According to my Google search, this popular “Holiday of Lights,” around the Del Mar Racetrack, ran from 1995 until it ended in 2012. Then, in 2020, it returned as “Holidays in Your Car.” This was during the days when there was a need for social distancing due to COVID-19. Thankfully times have changed, for the better.

This year fantastic animated holiday lights displays have returned to the Del Mar Fairgrounds, but now they can be more fully enjoyed at your leisure, together with a wonderful coastal holiday village.

A nighttime scene displays colorful holiday light sculptures, including trees, mushrooms, a castle, a peacock, and a rainbow, all illuminated against a dark background.

“Coastal Christmas — A Holiday Light Spectacular” includes so much. When you first enter you will see, and can pass through, colorful arches of lit hearts and candy canes.

Illuminated red, yellow, and purple heart-shaped arches line a walkway decorated with string lights at night, with two people walking beneath them.
A building and garden area decorated with colorful holiday lights, including illuminated arches and flower-shaped light sculptures at night.

Jolly Santa is there too, waiting to speak with you and to pose with you for your memorable Christmas photos.

Large illuminated candy cane arches are displayed around a central fountain, with festive lights and decorations in the background at night.
Santa Claus sits on a red velvet couch, smiling and waving, with a background of green foliage and string lights.

Next there is a large “Glice” skating rink (see Glice.com), where skates are available for rental. Since this is in Del Mar and it is thankfully not cold enough for an actual ice-skating rink, the Glice is a Swiss-engineered synthetic ice, enabling skating rinks year-round. Skaters were having a great time gliding around the rink’s tall, central Christmas tree, which was lit in everchanging patterns of colorful, twinkling holiday lights.

Outdoor courtyard at night decorated with holiday lights, a large Christmas tree, and seating areas with fire pits and tables.
Three people walk toward a “Holiday Skating Check-in & Tickets” booth under a banner at an outdoor venue at night.
People ice skating around a large, decorated Christmas tree at night, with colorful holiday lights and palm trees in the background.
People skate on an outdoor ice rink at night near a large blue-lit Christmas tree, surrounded by decorated palm trees and a lit-up building.
A large Christmas tree decorated with glowing red, green, and blue lights stands outdoors at night, topped with a bright star.

Surrounding the skating rink are holiday igloos, enclosed for our chilly coastal North County San Diego nights (brrrr!).

Large red rose-shaped lights and green starburst lights illuminate a nighttime garden display, with a glowing dome structure visible in the background.
Three illuminated geodesic domes sit on a patio surrounded by white fencing and decorative lights, in front of a building with arched doorways and balconies.
Two illuminated, transparent domes with seating inside are set up outdoors at night, surrounded by decorated trees with string lights and a nearby fire pit.

These igloos are comfortably furnished, and serve as a nice place to sit, rest and chat with your friends and family.

A black leather loveseat with holiday-themed pillows sits on a red rug under string lights inside a clear dome, with a small decorated tree and coffee table in front.

In the area you will also find the “Tipsy Elf Bar.”

Outdoor view of Tipsy Elf Bar at night, with festive lights, holiday decorations, and seating area in front.
A white bell tower is illuminated against a dark night sky, with part of a roof visible in the foreground.

Another arch, this one taking the form of a gigantic holiday teddy bear, guides you to a food court.

A large illuminated teddy bear decoration wearing a red Santa hat and bow tie is displayed outdoors at night.
Large illuminated teddy bear Christmas decoration with a red hat and bow, featuring an archway entrance between its legs, displayed outdoors at night.

It is much like a scaled-down version of what you would find at the annual San Diego County Fair, with vendors offering a wide variety of tasty treats: cannoli, pizza, Kettle Corn, corn dogs, falafel, gyros, burgers & fries, Mexican foods, turkey legs, kabobs, funnel cakes, crepes and much more. Trust me, you will not leave there unsatisfied!

Nighttime scene of a fairground with brightly lit food stands offering items like sausage, falafel, pizza, and candy, set against a dark sky.
A brightly lit row of food stalls at a fair offers burritos, quesadillas, funnel cakes, and drinks at night. Crowds of people order and wait in front of the booths.
A hand holds a cannoli topped with chocolate chips in a branded box from The Cannoli Bar, San Diego.
Four trays of powdered sugar and chocolate-drizzled desserts with plastic forks are placed on a table with a "Mason's Den" logo in the background.
A hand holds a blue-and-white paper plate with a folded crepe topped with sliced strawberries, chocolate drizzle, and powdered sugar.
A kettle corn stand at night with bags of popcorn on display, festive decorations, and a vendor standing inside ready to serve customers.

Also in that area is an arcade, filled with carnival games — again like a scaled-down version of what you would find at the San Diego County Fair.

Two women stand at a brightly lit carnival game booth at night, with large rainbow Hello Kitty plush toys hanging above as prizes.
A colorful carnival balloon-popping game with multicolored balloons on a board and plush toys, including cartoon characters, displayed as prizes above.
Inflatable holiday decorations featuring a gingerbread man, an elf, large candy canes, and peppermint candies are displayed outdoors at night.
Carnival game booth with large red buckets, colorful plush toys including animals and character pillows as prizes, and festive lights in the background.
A group of yellow rubber ducks with red beaks and black eyes float in water; some ducks have sunglasses.

The highlight of the activities is a leisurely, meandering walk along the colorful “Holiday Light Trail,” past display after display consisting of millions of colorful, twinkling lights, many of them animated to together-form breathtaking scenes. You will continually be surprised as you round corners and emerge to see additional displays. There is even snowfall!

A sign reads "Light Trail Entrance Opens at Dusk" with illustrations of a snowman, reindeer, and penguin, and the Coastal Christmas logo at the bottom.
Three people walk under a tunnel of colorful, illuminated lights with winged horse statues on pedestals at the entrance, at night.
A tunnel of blue and yellow holiday lights leads to an area with claw machine arcade games and a few people walking at night.
A row of brightly lit claw machines filled with plush toys is set up outdoors under a tent at night.

Also, along your journey you will find a vendor village that is filled with merchandise including clothing, baked goods and all sorts of other things that you might find at a fair.

Two people stand behind a decorated table at a festive outdoor market booth selling cookies and cakes, featuring yellow chick and gingerbread man decorations.
A large gingerbread cookie decorated with white icing, red buttons, a green bowtie, and three silver Hershey's Kisses, displayed in a box with a red bow on the corner.
Metal shelves display Christmas-themed cookies and cupcakes in boxes. A sign with festive graphics reads "Christmas calories don’t count." Decorations include garland and a red bow.
Display of multiple gold and silver clover-shaped bracelets and necklaces on black stands at a jewelry booth, with various colored stones and price tags visible.
Display of various San Diego Padres baseball caps in different colors and designs arranged on a metal grid rack.
Table display of colorful keychains, figures, and small toys with price tags, a Square payment sign, and various animal and game character designs.
A festive holiday display features a palm reader and tarot cards booth, surrounded by Christmas decorations including a snowman, Santas, nutcrackers, and nativity scene figures.
Two women in colorful coats and hats stand and pose inside a busy boutique filled with hats, bags, and various accessories on display.
Two illuminated pink flamingo decorations stand near a fountain, surrounded by colorful holiday lights and displays at night.
A large archway shaped like tulips is illuminated with green and pink lights, surrounded by other colorful light displays at night.
Colorful tulips in shades of pink, yellow, and purple are surrounded by green grass and illuminated by small string lights at night.
Rows of illuminated artificial tulips in purple, yellow, and pink colors are displayed outdoors at night.
A dragon and two riders are outlined in purple string lights above a field of glowing, multicolored artificial tulips at night.
A festive outdoor display with colorful LED lights forms a house, a cloud with raindrops, tulips, and a large yeti figure, set against a building at night.
A large illuminated unicorn sculpture stands among colorful artificial tulips, with a bright rainbow light display in the background at night.
A large illuminated abominable snowman decoration stands next to a blue and white tree, surrounded by artificial colorful tulips at night.
A holiday light display shows a reindeer driving a tow truck pulling Santa Claus in a sleigh, illuminated in various colors at night.
A brightly lit archway with rainbow-colored lights leads to another illuminated tunnel outside a building at night.
A tunnel walkway is covered in rows of colorful LED holiday lights forming a rainbow pattern overhead and along the sides.
A large sea serpent made of green and blue holiday lights is displayed next to a tunnel decorated with blue lights at night.
Large illuminated ship wheel decoration with yellow and blue lights, surrounded by other light displays, set against a dark background.
A large ship-shaped holiday light display with white and pink lights stands outdoors at night, with additional illuminated decorations in the background.
Colorful holiday light sculptures feature a green sea serpent, a sailing ship, and a penguin on a sleigh, all displayed on a rooftop at night.
A tunnel with curved arches is lit by rows of multicolored LED lights, leading to a vibrant display of lights in the distance.
Large illuminated crab sculpture with red claws and yellow body, surrounded by blue, undersea-themed decorative lights and fish shapes in the background.
A tunnel of pink and purple LED lights leads to illuminated sea creature displays, including an octopus and jellyfish, at a nighttime light exhibit.
A large pink octopus and various sea creatures are depicted with colorful LED lights in an underwater-themed light display at night.
A display of blue, yellow, and white lights forms an underwater scene with a whale, fish, seaweed, and a sun or pufferfish on a dark background.
A large whale sculpture made of purple and pink lights is displayed in front of illuminated green seaweed shapes and a background of blue string lights.
A large clam shell made of white lights is displayed among green and blue light decorations at a nighttime light exhibit.
Illuminated lantern sculpture of a fish with long, spiky fins, displayed among blue and green string lights that resemble underwater plants.
Five fish outlined in yellow and blue lights are displayed against a backdrop of vertical blue light strands.
Three illuminated fish figures carrying presents and one larger fish decorate a nighttime display, outlined in colorful holiday lights against a dark backdrop.
A wireframe castle sculpture illuminated in white, pink, and blue lights stands behind a silhouetted palm frond against a dark, misty sky.
A tree and a long, winding shape are outlined with green and yellow holiday lights, illuminated at night.
A nighttime display of illuminated sculptures features green trees, a pink dinosaur, and a castle, all made from colorful lights.
A large green dinosaur and a tree are outlined in colorful lights at night, with a castle shape illuminated in the background.
Two large dinosaur figures, a triceratops and a T. rex, made of colorful lights are displayed outdoors at night, with a stylized light-up tree in the background.
A large green T-rex and a tree are created from illuminated lights on display at night.
Illuminated structure resembling a castle gate with two tall towers and gold domes, decorated with white and yellow lights, displayed at night.
Colorful illuminated sculptures of flowers, mushrooms, and other plants displayed outdoors at night for a light show.
A large light display depicts a reindeer in front of a pink semicircle, with blue mountains made of lights on either side, set against a dark background.
A nighttime scene of illuminated animal and plant sculptures, including birds and trees, glowing in various colors at an outdoor light display.
Illuminated light sculptures depict a large red and white mushroom, pink tulips, and another floral arrangement against a dark background at night.
Colorful illuminated sculptures of mushrooms, plants, and trees arranged outdoors at night, with various lights glowing in red, green, pink, purple, and blue tones.
Colorful illuminated sculptures resembling flowers, plants, an animal, and a castle are displayed outdoors at night.
Nighttime display of illuminated figures, including a frog, castle, and flowers, with trees wrapped in purple lights in the background.
A castle and tree are illuminated with multicolored holiday lights against a dark night sky.
A dense shower of tiny water droplets or particles illuminated by blue and purple light against a dark background.
A castle structure outlined with white, blue, and pink holiday lights is displayed against a black background.
A light display featuring a smiling Santa Claus figure holding a rectangular frame, with more illuminated decorations visible in the background at night.
A tunnel covered in colorful LED lights with illuminated winged horse statues on columns at the entrance, photographed at night.

Of course, this is not the only way to experience lights of the holiday season. For that, may neighborhoods have light displays at individual homes. Sometimes whole streets-full of homes are decorated. I discovered one such street in Encinitas. While some people slowly drove along the streets, much like people did when the Del Mar Fairgrounds had drive-through experiences, I found that the best way to experience these displays is to slowly walk along the neighborhoods’ sidewalks, and sometimes up their driveways and entrance-ways — stopping frequently to take in the magnificent displays and take photos of them.

A suburban street at night decorated with colorful holiday lights on houses, trees, and lawns; several cars are parked along the road.
A house and yard decorated with holiday lights and large inflatable characters at night. Trees and shrubs are also lit, and a driveway leads to the garage.
A tall Jack Skellington figure in a red suit stands outdoors at night, surrounded by palm trees, jack-o'-lanterns, and holiday lights, with a small ghost dog nearby.
A large inflatable snow monster with blue features and an open mouth is lit up at night, standing among trees and bushes.
A tree wrapped in red lights stands next to an illuminated white inflatable figure with blue facial features at night, with string lights in the background.
Inflatable Christmas decorations, including Santa, snowmen, a train, and a bear, are displayed outdoors at night with trees and a house lit by string lights.
A house decorated with Christmas lights, featuring inflatable holiday figures including a fire truck with a Christmas tree and Santa on the roof.
Palm trees wrapped with pink and green string lights are illuminated outside next to a garage adorned with hanging yellow holiday lights at night.
A red mailbox decorated with Christmas lights features plush figures of Snoopy and Woodstock in holiday attire.
Inflatable Christmas decorations include a reindeer, snail, snowman, Santa, and "Merry Christmas" sign, all lit up with green and white lights at night.
Christmas yard display at night with lighted unicorns, deer, a "Peace on Earth" sign, and an inflatable Santa Claus.
A house and yard decorated with Christmas lights, glowing snowmen inflatables, and a large inflatable reindeer at night.
A large tree wrapped in red and white holiday lights with cars parked nearby at night.
Large outdoor inflatable decorations of a polar bear and a smaller bear with a red scarf are displayed in a yard, surrounded by illuminated snowflake lights at night.
House decorated with colorful Christmas lights, a "Merry Merry" sign, cartoon cutouts, and festive signposts pointing to "Home Sweet," "Whoville," and "Gingrsted." A car is parked in front.
A front yard decorated with Peanuts character cutouts, Christmas lights on trees and house, and a lit Christmas tree at night.
A residential street at night with houses, trees, and bushes covered in colorful holiday lights and decorations.
Four illuminated snowman decorations with red hats and scarves are displayed in a yard at night, surrounded by blue-lit trees and festive lights.
A backyard decorated with illuminated deer figures, string lights shaped like trees, and blue lights hanging from large tree branches at night.
A house decorated with colorful Christmas lights, featuring three illuminated snowmen, two reindeer, and a tall tree-shaped light display with a star on top.
A house decorated with colorful Christmas lights, inflatable figures, and illuminated candy canes, with holiday displays on the lawn and garage.
A house and garden decorated with colorful Christmas lights, featuring three large, smiling Christmas tree figures lit in blue, green, and red.
Front yard with Christmas lights, inflatable Santa on a surfboard, two striped palm tree decorations, and a house decorated with string lights at night.

For more information about the “Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular” at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, on select dates Dec. 12-26, 2025, visit: https://www.coastalchristmasdelmar.com. If you miss it this year, I am hopeful that it will return next year.

Neon sign featuring a palm tree with Santa and his sleigh overhead, reading "Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular Del Mar.

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Copyright © 2025 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #910r2

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Jan Wagner

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