Channeling Cheer in Carlsbad this Holiday Season

It’s been almost two years since the pandemic started. During this time, we’ve all experienced changes in our day to day work lives and even our family routines. While we’re not quite out of the woods yet, one thing is for sure – change is a constant in this post-pandemic world. For the holiday season, change isn’t necessarily a new concept. The winter holidays we celebrate every year are the result of an evolution of changes that span almost two millennia. In the early days, and for more than 350 years after Christiantiy existed, the celebration of the nativity didn’t exist. After Rome decided that December was the time to honor nativity, it took until the 1800s to adopt some of the more domestic traditions that we’re familiar with today. For Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights we all know today was originally enjoyed as a celebration of Hebrew military victory. Eventually, the Jewish Talmud led elders to commemorate Hanukkah during the completion of harvest and winter solstice. 

While change is inevitable, new times bring new opportunities to carry tradition. In Carlsbad, there are many holiday traditions that stand the test of time, no matter how much change takes place.

Check out some of the ways to ring in the holiday season in Carlsbad this year.

Holidays at LEGOLAND

Starting on November 20th, LEGOLAND ushers in the month of December with adventure, color, and music at Carlsbad’s favorite theme park. Holidays at LEGOLAND deck the park from head to toe in garland, ornaments, and lights leading up to Christmas. Every night, the park hosts a tree lighting with live entertainment and music. 

If you’re looking for a creative festive outlet this holiday, plan a visit to Holidays at LEGOLAND to meet all of your favorite holiday characters, check out the tree, and indulge in themed snacks throughout the park. You can book a ticket now to take pictures with Santa, the Toy Soldier, and the Gingerbread Man through January 2nd.  

Holiday Spectacular at Plaza Paseo Real

Plaza Paseo Real is one of North County’s favorite food and entertainment destinations. The center is at Aviara Parkway and El Camino Real – centrally located for a convenient pit stop when shopping for gifts. 

On December 12th, the center is hosting a Holiday Spectacular. The event will feature Santa himself, eager to participate in a meet and greet with little ones. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be holiday themed crafts in the courtyard outside of La Costa Coffee Roasting with face painting and balloon twisting. 

Stop in this month to fill your stomach and your heart with holiday cheer.

Santa’s Secret Garden and Winter Wonderlights – The Forum at Carlsbad

From department stores like H&M to local boutiques and high end fashion favorites, The Forum at Carlsbad is a one stop shop for everything on your gift list. This year, the Forum has created their very own Secret Garden – complete with brightly colored flowers and whimsical tropical greenery. From 1-4 p.m. Santa will be making an appearance in the Garden, behind the Christmas tree next to Paper Source. The Winter Fairy will be there to welcome guests, and Santa will be on hand for free pictures with the family.

Then, as night descends on the Forum on Friday and Saturday nights, the landscape comes alive with a light show. Each night performers will dance to choreographed ensembles with magic snowflakes falling from the sky.

No matter what your traditions are or how they’ve changed over the past two years, Carlsbad has plenty of holiday cheer to go around. Stop by any of these locations to get in the spirit and channel your cheer this year.