Holiday Pop-Ups + Christmas-Themed Bars in San Diego
'Tis the season to be jolly in sunny Southern California with a variety of San Diego holiday events scheduled along the SoCAL coast. Grab your flip-flops and Santa hat and join the celebration at these exciting Holiday Pop-Ups and Christmas-Themed Bars in San Diego. Enjoy the holidays with over-the-top decorations, crafty cocktails named after your favorite Christmas characters, and plenty of festive fun!
Days Inn Hotel Circle in San Diego is the perfect place to stay for your winter holiday escape! With our popular onsite amenities and convenient location, you’ll be cozy and close to all the best San Diego holiday events, including exciting Christmas-themed pop-ups and bars you won’t want to miss!
Christmas in San Diego: The Best Holiday Pop-Ups and Christmas-Themed Bars
Pop-Up San Diego Holiday Events Downtown
Santa's Lair at Parq 615 Broadway, San Diego – Nov. and Dec. 2025
Welcome to one of the most popular San Diego holiday events near the Days Inn Hotel Circle. The fun happens at Gaslamp Quarter with their Santa’s Lair by Parq, the perfect pop-up and holiday-themed cocktail bar in San Diego. Parq will be serving holiday cocktails in a festive setting while you dance the night away amongst the holiday décor! And don’t forget to take a selfie with Santa! Thursday through Saturday 5 to10:30pm, Sunday 4 to 8:30pm during November and December.
Emo Christmas - 815 Fifth Ave., San Diego - Nov. 14 - Dec. 28, 2025
This special holiday pop-up tribute to the emo life is being called "a special emo/pop punk throwback holiday twist!" Emo Christmas is a month-long pop-up that will feature music-related festivities that include a Pop Punk Prom and a Themed Label Sad Hour.
Xmas Bar at Good Night John Boy - 401 G St., San Diego - Through Dec. 31, 2025
This fun and funky holiday pop-up is a mix between Studio 54 and your parents’ 1970's basement! Located in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, Xmas Bar at Good Night John Boy is sure to be one of the most talked about San Diego holiday events. Sip on a seasonal cocktail like “Naughty or Nice” or “Jingle Juice” as you dance under the lights at this festive holiday pop-up.
The Grinchmas Holiday Pop-Up at The Tipsy Crow - 770 Fifth Ave, San Diego - Dec. 4-26, 2025
The Tipsy Grinchmas Holiday Pop-Up is happening again this year at The Tipsy Crow! Enjoy the Grinch-inspired holiday décor, with specialty cocktails that even the Grinch wouldn't refuse! Grab a “Max’s Spiked Hot Cocoa” and enjoy an evening of holiday fun at this free event at Tipsy Cow in San Diego.
The Jingle Bar at Bang on 5th - 762 Fifth Ave. San Diego - Dec. 4-30, 2025
Welcome to the merriest Christmas pop-up bar in San Diego – The Jingle Bar at Bang on 5th! Prepare for a holiday bar like no other with Christmas décor, twinkling lights, and festive fun! Enjoy holiday hits and jolly jingles with non-stop music, festive cocktails, and tasty treats, along with Christmas games, live entertainment, and an ugly sweater contest! There’s even a dedicated time for families to enjoy the event - Saturdays & Sundays at 1pm and 3pm – is for families and kids to enjoy the Jingle Bar magic together and includes holiday craft corner, kids’ Christmas karaoke and singalongs, and family-friendly games like “Reindeer Ring Toss,” and “Elf Bingo.”
Lo-Fi Christmas + Tapas Bar at Jaguar Paw - 2185 1/2 Logan Ave., San Diego -Throughout December
This Barrio Logan bar and tapas joint is having a holiday pop-up, and you are invited. Jaguar Paw is putting a unique holiday spin on its low-ABV cocktails for the holidays! From Crumble Cookie tapas to Ponche Highballs, you’ll have festive fun at the Lo-Fi Christmas + Tapas Bar pop-up at Jaguar Paw in San Diego.
Pop-Up San Diego Holiday Events in Little Italy
The Golden Girls Christmas Experience - Bayside Kitchen, 2137 Pacific Hwy., San Diego - Nov. 19, 2025 - Jan. 11, 2026
One of the most unique San Diego holiday events, the Golden Girls Christmas Experience is happening at Bayside Kitchen and promises to be a hoot! Celebrate like Blanche, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia this season at this one-of-a-kind seasonal pop-up experience! The pastel paradise has been turned into a winter wonderland with the spirit of Miami and some Christmas magic! Enjoy Golden Girls-themed sweets and seasonal cocktails as you pose in Blanche’s Boudoir, visit their kitchen and chat with the girls on their iconic yellow phone, and try some shuffleboard on the lanai!
Nolita Hall - 2305 India St., San Diego – November through Jan. 6, 2025
This festive restaurant in Little Italy decks the halls with thousands of lights and decorations while serving up can’t-miss holiday cocktails like the “Grinch Martini,” “Partridge in a Pear Tree”, and “Dasher’s Road Soda”. It’s a fun and festive way to spend some time during your winter vacation in San Diego. From Steak Frites to Sausage and Peppers Pizza, Nolita Hall is the place to dine this holiday season in San Diego!
Pop-Up San Diego Holiday Events North Park, Hillcrest, and Uptown San Diego
Elf on the 12th at Mister A's - 2550 Fifth Ave.12th Floor, San Diego - Through December
Experience the 12th floor views at Mister A's this December for the Elf on the 12th holiday celebration each day starting at 3:30pm! Enjoy themed cocktails like “Resting Grinch Face” and “All the Jingle Ladies” along with tasty bar bites that include Caviar Tater Tots and Hiramasa Crudo all with spectacular views of San Diego.
Holiday Oasis Experience at insideOUT - 1642 University Ave., San Diego – Nov. 7 through Jan. 5, 2026
Happening every Tuesday through Sunday starting November 7 through January 5, you’ll discover the Holiday Oasis Experience in Hillcrest at this highly anticipated winter event in San Diego. Relax in a joyful space filled with a breathtaking light show, decorated trees, and more. Sip on your favorite seasonal cocktail while treating yourself to insideOUT's delicious fare for the holidays.
Snowed In at Fort Oak - 1011 Fort Stockton Dr., San Diego, Through Dec. 31, 2025
This fun and festive holiday pop-up will have you jingling all the way for the popular Snowed In Christmastime cocktail bar at Fort Oak. Enter the winter-wonderland via the double doors of the Art Deco bar and get ready for holiday cheer with a special menu of themed craft cocktails, small bites and desserts, and a visit from Santa!
Pop-Up San Diego Holiday Events Mission Bay and Beaches
Miracle at Draft - 3190 Mission Blvd., San Diego,- Nov. 28 through Jan. 5, 2026
Join the fun at Miracle at Draft, a waterfront Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up in Belmont Park. Get festive with a bevy of holiday decor and collectible glassware and mugs to commemorate the occasion! Choose exclusive, handcrafted cocktails with unique flavors of the season as you enjoy holiday movie trivia, seasonal treats, and Jingle Jams from the onsite DJ.
Sippin' Santa at the Grass Skirt - 910 Grand Ave., San Diego - Through Dec. 31, 2025
Have yourself a tropical little Christmas with a seaside celebration at the Grass Skirt in San Diego. Join the fun at the Sippin’ Santa San Diego holiday event because you won’t want to miss this island-themed Christmas bar pop-up at this popular restaurant and bar in Pacific Beach. Enjoy tiki-inspired food and drinks as you're transported to a festive island paradise this holiday season in San Diego.
Mavericks Holiday Experience - 860 Garnet Ave., San Diego - Through Dec. 24, 2025
Sports fans unite at Mavericks Holiday Experience Pop-Up in Pacific Beach! With more than 10,000 feet of lights, 3,000 feet of garlands, a 25-foot Christmas tree (and 10 more), you’ll have a fun-filled holiday celebration with your favorite friends, Christmas cocktails, and visits from Santa!
Pop-Up San Diego Holiday Events La Jolla
Barbarella Winter Wonderland - 2171 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla - Through December
Christmas in La Jolla starts at Barbarella Restaurant where you’ll arrive to see over-the-top holiday décor, making it a winter wonderland delight! Indulge in delicious festive spirits like Egg Nog Shots and the “Ornamentini” along with amazing Italian dishes you can’t resist. This popular Italian restaurant is a great place to join friends and family for a holiday dinner and drink experience in San Diego you won’t soon forget!
Enjoy Amazing Holiday Pop-Ups and Christmas-Themed Bars Near the Days Inn Hotel Circle in San Diego
Spending some time in San Diego during the holidays is a great way to escape this winter. The perfect combination of festive holiday cheer and good times in the California sunshine makes our coastal paradise the best place to warm up and chill out during the holiday season. Make plans today at the Days Inn Hotel Circle in San Diego to spend a few days enjoying all the San Diego holiday events and exciting pop-up party opportunities to celebrate the season in San Diego.
