Introduction
San Diego is packed with things to do with kids that don’t cost a thing, from splash fountains and tide pools to free museum days and holiday parades. This guide lists free family events happening this month and next, plus year-round favorites you can enjoy any weekend.
Updated November 9, 2026. We check every event and listing against official city, county, park and organizer pages, and we refresh this guide every month. Heading out with a little one? Pack a diaper bag backpack and see our stroller wagons for beach days.
Heads up: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is closed until about March 1, 2027, so it isn’t on this month’s list (California State Parks).
Free Family Events: November and December 2026
Veterans Day fee-free day at Cabrillo National Monument
Entrance is free on this National Park Service fee-free day, the last one of 2026. Go for the tide pools and lighthouse (NPS).
December Nights
San Diego’s big holiday festival, with free evening museum entry, a free Ferris wheel and free shuttles from City College, Downtown and Little Italy (City of San Diego).
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
A free hometown parade down Girard Avenue, followed by a festival at the La Jolla Recreation Center (La Jolla Christmas Parade).
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Decorated boats cruise the bay. The organizers say there’s no cost to watch from the shoreline (Parade of Lights).
Holiday Bowl Parade
Street-side viewing along Harbor Drive is free. Grandstand seats cost extra (Holiday Bowl).
More holiday events to check out
These have confirmed 2026 dates, but their official pages don’t list a cost, so check before you go.
- Liberty Station Holiday Tree Lighting Fri, Nov 27, 5 to 9pm Details
- Coronado Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Fri, Dec 4 Details
- Ocean Beach Holiday Parade Sat, Dec 5, tree lighting 5pm, parade 5:05pm Details
- Little Italy Tree Lighting Sat, Dec 5, 4 to 8pm Details
- Chula Vista Starlight Parade Sat, Dec 5 Details
- Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights Sat, Dec 12, 5:30pm Details
Free Things to Do in San Diego With Kids Year-Round
Balboa Park Residents Free Tuesdays
San Diego City and County residents and active military get free admission to rotating museums on the first four Tuesdays of each month, such as the Fleet Science Center and Natural History Museum on first Tuesdays. Bring a photo ID with your address. In December, a few museums sit out, including Air & Space (Balboa Park).
Balboa Park playgrounds
Pepper Grove and Sixth Avenue have separate areas for under 5s and older kids, and Morley Field is built for ages 5 to 12 (Balboa Park). Cultural District lots charge for parking until paid parking ends January 1, 2027 (Balboa Park).
Spreckels Organ Pavilion Sunday concerts
Free outdoor organ concerts every Sunday at 2pm (City of San Diego).
Timken Museum of Art
Admission is always free. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (Timken Museum).
Waterfront Park splash fountains
Splash fountains run 10am to 6pm daily, next to a children’s play area and big lawns (San Diego County Parks).
Tecolote Shores North, Mission Bay
A playground on the sand with a rinse shower, a bike path and free parking. There’s no lifeguard (City of San Diego).
Sweetwater Park
Nature-themed playgrounds with bay views and free parking (Port of San Diego).
La Jolla Children’s Pool and Cove seals
Harbor seals lounge here year-round. The Children’s Pool beach is closed December 15 to May 15 for pupping season, so watch from the walkway above (City of San Diego).
La Jolla tide pools
Explore tide pools from Dike Rock toward Windansea at low tide. It’s an ecological reserve, so look but don’t take anything (NPS). Winter brings some of the best daytime low tides.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Free parking lots, historic buildings, Little Rangers Story Time on Saturdays at 10:30am for kids 6 and under, and Junior Rangers at noon for ages 7 to 12 (California State Parks).
Central Library children’s library
The Denny Sanford Children’s Library hosts storytimes, music and crafts. The library is closed Sundays and on Nov 26 and 27, Dec 24, 25 and 31 (San Diego Public Library).
County library storytimes
Baby, toddler and bilingual storytimes at San Diego County Library branches (San Diego County Library).
Mission Trails Visitor Center
Nature exhibits, free films and free guided nature walks, open daily 9am to 5pm (Mission Trails).
Kit Carson Park
A big playground, a 22,000 square foot skate park and free disc golf (City of Escondido).
NTC Park at Liberty Station
Two tot lots and wide-open fields next to Liberty Station’s shops (Liberty Station).
Coronado Central Beach
One of the widest sandy beaches in the county, with lifeguards on duty year-round (City of Coronado).
MCASD Free Third Thursday
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is free for everyone on third Thursdays, including Nov 19 and Dec 17 (MCASD).
Tips for Free Days Out
- Check parking. Many spots are free to enter but charge for parking. Mission Bay’s Tecolote Shores and Sweetwater Park have free lots.
- Bring ID for resident days. Balboa Park’s free Tuesdays require a photo ID showing a San Diego City or County address (Balboa Park).
- Time the tide pools. Go at or just before low tide, and wear closed-toe shoes.
- Go early to big events. December Nights and the parades draw big crowds. Free shuttles to December Nights save the parking hunt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free things to do in San Diego with kids?
Year-round favorites include Balboa Park’s playgrounds and Residents Free Tuesdays (Balboa Park), the Waterfront Park splash fountains, the La Jolla seals and tide pools, and library storytimes.
Is Balboa Park free?
Walking the park, its playgrounds and the Sunday organ concerts are free. Most museums charge admission, but San Diego City and County residents get free entry to rotating museums on the first four Tuesdays of the month (Balboa Park).
Is December Nights free?
Yes. December Nights is free, with free evening museum entry, a free Ferris wheel and free shuttles (City of San Diego).
Where can kids see seals in San Diego for free?
At the La Jolla Children’s Pool and La Jolla Cove. The Children’s Pool beach closes December 15 to May 15 for pupping season, but you can watch from above (City of San Diego).
Are there free tide pools in San Diego?
Yes. The La Jolla tide pools are free to visit (NPS). Cabrillo National Monument charges an entrance fee except on fee-free days (NPS).
What can toddlers do for free in San Diego?
Try library storytimes, the Pepper Grove and Sixth Avenue playgrounds in Balboa Park, the Waterfront Park splash fountains and Little Rangers Story Time at Old Town.
Closing Thoughts
You don’t need a theme park budget to have a great day out in San Diego. Bookmark this page, since we update it every month with new free events. For more family gear ideas, see our best water tables and toddler swings for backyard fun at home.