The iconic Hotel del Coronado is one of the best places to celebrate the holidays in San Diego.
The beachfront hotel offers a full lineup of holiday events and activities, with many exciting festivities returning this year. These include Gingerbread house building, photos with Santa, a holiday festival complete with snow flurries, and, of course, Skating by the Sea, the renowned ice-skating rink overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The hotel chooses a different theme for every holiday season to display throughout the resort, and the theme for 2024 is ‘Lights, Camera, Holiday!’ They are also paying tribute to the movie classic Some Like It Hot, which starred Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. The movie is celebrating its 65th birthday, and the resort will be decorated throughout with glittering Old Hollywood splendor to honor the milestone.
Whether you check in overnight or visit San Diego for the day, read on for our insider tips on what to expect at the iconic Hotel del Coronado resort during the holidays between Thanksgiving week and the first week of January.
Note: I’ve added the base cost of many of the listings below but be aware that extra fees are added on top of many of these at checkout when you book online. Check the hotel website booking pages to get exact prices.
See also: 15 Things to Do at the Hotel Del Coronado
1. Skating by the Sea
November 21 –January 5, 2025
Skating by the Sea is truly a one-of-a-kind Southern California experience and a great thing to do in San Diego for kids during the holidays. This spectacular ice rink is located on the Windsor Lawn and features stunning ocean views and Coronado Beach.
Sparkling lights adorning the ice rink and colorful decorations create the perfect festive atmosphere for one of our favorite holiday activities.
A portion of the proceeds benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. Guests can also reserve a rink-side lounge at Frostbite: A Place to Chill, which features plush seating around a fire pit and a food and beverage service.
Ticket prices for Skating by the Sea cost $40 for general admission and $35 on Value Skate Days (December 2-3, 9-10 and 16-17).
Hotel Guests, Members, Military & First Responders receive discounted tickets at $35 per person. Check out the schedule online for the specific hours the ice rink will be available for use.
All tickets include 90 minutes of skating time and skate rental. You can opt to take your own ice skates, but the admission price will be the same. Tickets can be reserved online.
2. Frostbite Lounge
November 21–January 5, 2025
Frostbite Lounge at the South Paseo Lawn of the Hotel del Coronado property is a great spot for holiday treats and cocktails.
With a perfect view of the beachfront ice rink, guests in groups of 4 – 8 people can get their holiday spirit on while sitting around a cozy fire pit. Choose from either a rink-side or ocean-side lounge, where you can enjoy a full food and beverage service.
Pricing is based on a rental fee plus a food and drink minimum. Opening hours vary, but most evenings, the lounge is open until 10 p.m. All the details are on the hotel website, where you can also book advance reservations, which are required.
3. Beachside Igloos
November 21–January 5, 2025
Reserve your private Beachside Igloo during the holidays for a unique San Diego experience!
Get cozy in this stunning oceanside living room for the season’s ultimate family event. Inside, you’ll keep warm seated on lounge chairs around a heater, or you can step outside to roast s’mores around a roaring firepit before brushing off sandy toes to snuggle up inside again.
Up to eight guests can enjoy an igloo for two hours (four people inside and four outside).
Like the Frostbite Lounge, pricing is based on a rental fee plus a food and drink minimum. Only the rental fee is charged in advance when you prebook online but total prices for a visit range from $250–$500, depending on the date and day.
4. “All That Jazz” Lightshow Spectacular
November 21–January 5, 2025
This gorgeous holiday light show set to music will play every 30 minutes from 5 – 9 p.m. every night on the Founders Lawn and will definitely bring out your holiday spirit. The show features a Jazz soundtrack as the light show plays along among the enormous Norfolk Island Pine trees.
A Victorian-style bar and lounge have been added for select nights this holiday season, where you can take in the show in style. And this year promises even more lights and snow than ever. Don’t forget to stay till the end for a flurry of surprises!
5. Thanksgiving Buffet
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Thanksgiving dinner at Hotel del Coronado takes place in the hotel’s newly restored Crown Room and Coronet Rooms, and the Ocean Ballroom, this year. Guests are invited to give thanks and celebrate with friends and family over an elegant and sumptuous buffet, with live music to entertain.
This year’s holiday theme is ‘Lights, Camera, Holiday!’, and the hotel will feature a glittering display of Hollywood glamor throughout the resort.
The Thanksgiving buffet will be served from 12 to 6 p.m. Tickets cost $205 per adult ($199 if you are a hotel guest) and $100 per child (aged 5 to 12). Children 4 and under are free with a paying adult. Note: Tickets increase to $225 per adult from November 15.
6. Victorian Tea
December 18–22
This charming tradition is a great treat for all the family. Young and old alike will love Del’s classic Victorian Tea, set among music in the beautifully restored Crown Room. You’ll be served an array of finger sandwiches and sweet and savory treats while sipping on a selection of teas. Special plates are available especially for children to join in the fun.
Victorian Tea is priced at $95 per adult and $65 per child (4-10 years old).
7. Photos with Santa
December 6–8, 13–15, 18–24
Guests of all ages are invited to take photos with Old St. Nick on the Southpointe Lawn in front of the beautiful 25-foot Christmas tree. The cost is $30 and includes a professionally taken 5×7 photo printed onsite so that your photos with Santa are available immediately.
Guests are also welcome to take their own photos. For those interested, you can make a reservation online to secure your spot.
8. Two-Story Lobby Christmas Tree
Dates TBD
Swing by the hotel’s elegant lobby during the holidays to peek at their famous Christmas tree. It’s one of the most popular places to snap photos.
9. Jingle Roast
December 1–25, 2024
Gather friends and family around the fire on the beach at sunset for a Jingle Roast at The Del. Colorful Santa hats and holiday s’mores supplies are included, but you can also opt to purchase food from ENO Market & Pizzeria or the Beach + Taco Shack.
Fire pits can be reserved for one hour for up to 10 people. The cost is $210 plus fees. Whether you’re a day or overnight guest, you can take advantage of this fun activity, but reservations are required.
10. Gingerbread Houses
December 6–8, 13–15 and 18–24
Guests are invited to decorate gingerbread houses at the hotel this holiday season. This sweet event features festive decorations and holiday treats, including a fully stocked candy bar.
To make things easy, the culinary team at Hotel del Coronado will be pre-assembling the gingerbread house to allow kids of all ages to focus on the best part: decorating. Tickets cost $65 per child and reservations must be made in advance.
11. Elf Deliveries
December 6–8, 13–15 and 18–24
Do you want to surprise your little ones with something special during the holidays? The Del has an extra special treat option for guests on select dates leading up to Christmas Day. Santa’s elves will deliver a personalized, themed bag filled with holiday treats and a stuffed animal direct to your room upon request.
Elf deliveries are priced per child, and the fee is $75 plus fees. Reservations must be made in advance and can only be booked by overnight guests.
12. Movies On The Beach
December 1–31
This holiday treat first takes place in the fall and then continues into the winter season. You’ll be snuggling up under the stars at the Del’s Movies On The Beach, where they show family-friendly classics on select evenings throughout December.
Every General Admission ticket will get you a classic red Del sand chair to watch from, and I definitely recommend bringing your own blanket to keep warm. You can also opt to upgrade to a ‘Roast Family Movie Package’ for the ultimate Coronado Island movie experience for up to 6 people. You’ll get your own bonfire on the beach and s’mores supplies to enjoy while you take in the movie.
Here’s the Holiday Movie Schedule for this winter season:
- Dec 1: Elf
- Dec 8: Jingle All The Way
- Dec 15: Home Alone
- Dec 22: It’s a Wonderful Life
- Dec 28: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone
- Dec 31: Top Gun Maverick
13. Christmas Eve Dinner
December 24 (2 – 7 p.m.)
This year, guests can experience an extra special Christmas Eve buffet at the stunning newly renovated Crown and Coronet rooms. You’ll enjoy a banquet beneath the 33-foot tall domed wood ceilings and famed crown chandeliers designed by Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum.
Surrounded by twinkling lights and Christmas trees, you’ll get to feast on an elegant buffet featuring traditional Christmas offerings and some surprise additions. The menu will be announced soon on the hotel website.
The Christmas Eve buffet is priced at $185 per adult (increasing to $205 from December 9) and $100 per child, aged 5-12.
14. Christmas Day Brunch
December 25 (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Guests can also celebrate Christmas Day with a special festive buffet, also in The Del’s Crown and Coronet rooms. The elaborate menu will include all your favorite Christmas fixings and trimmings and is sure to be a great feast.
The hotel’s holiday theme for this year, ‘Lights, Camera, Holiday,’ promises a fabulous Old Hollywood theme throughout the resort, and sparkling lights, towering trees, garlands, and holiday decorations will surround Christmas Day guests. Be sure to check out the spectacular two-story Christmas tree in the hotel lobby.
Pricing for the Christmas Day buffet is $185 per adult (increasing to $205 from December 9) and $100 per child, aged 5-12.
15. New Year’s Pub Bash
December 31
The Del’s Laundry Pub will see in the New Year in style with a night of live rock ‘n’ roll and blues entertainment. An open bar is included in the ticket, as is a large selection of pub bites and a dessert bar.
The New Year’s Eve party will spill out to the beer garden, or you can simply cozy up in the historic Laundry building where the live band will keep things lively well into 2025.
Prices and online reservations will be available on the hotel website soon.
16. Holiday Shopping and The Annual Christmas Ornament
And let’s not forget shopping for the holidays at the various stores on-site. This is the 32nd year of the Annual Collector’s Ornament and in line with this year’s theme, it celebrates the hotel’s history as a movie set location. It comes in a padded gift box, ready for travel and gift-giving. You can buy it online.
17. Book Using My Benefits
Many people, even locals, stay overnight at Hotel del Coronado during the holidays. I have some advice if this is in your plans. And I also have access to some amazing perks and services at the hotel.
It’s best to book in one of two ways: the Skating by the Sea package or Virtuoso (the latter is usually more advantageous).
The Skating by the Sea package includes two passes to Skating by the Sea. Book this directly through Hilton.
However, it’s usually more beneficial to book with Virtuoso benefits that include:
Sign in or create a free Virtuoso account to see the discounted rate! When booking on Virtuoso.com use the number of adults traveling to get the correct rates. Kids may otherwise be priced as adults. We will add them after we follow up to collect your arrival details. If you see multiple rates for the same room type, choose the lowest rate. Check the status of ocean swimming in front of Coronado Lifeguard Tower as it changes. This is the testing station in front of Hotel del Coronado.
See also: The Most Luxurious San Diego Beach Vacation: Beach Village at The Del
Other Hotel del Coronado Holiday Tips
The Hotel del Coronado is a popular place to spend the holiday season. Reservations for any dining, spa, and special events are highly encouraged. The common areas of the hotel are quite busy during the holidays, but health and safety measures are in place.
Day guests use self-parking in the North Garage only. The current parking rates are $25 for the first 2 hours and $10 for each additional hour. The daily maximum is $75. However, if you shop or dine at the resort, you’ll receive a $10 parking discount.
Valet parking is also available for day guests at $35 for the first 2 hours and $10 per extra hour. The daily maximum is $85 and there’s no validation option for valet parking.
What is your favorite thing to do at the Hotel del Coronado during the holidays?
Katie Dillon
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