Holiday Group Outings in San Diego for Every Kind of Group

Best holiday group outings in San Diego by group type

The right outing depends on who is coming. Here is a quick match-up, with details in the sections below:

• Big families and reunions: the San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells season, with a group discount at 15 or more.
• Office parties and team outings: an Old Globe holiday show, or a group skating session at the Hotel del Coronado.
• Scouts: the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s scout programs, including an overnight aboard a historic tall ship.
• Homeschool groups and classes: the Maritime Museum’s guided education tours or a group tour at Mission San Luis Rey.
• Friends: a shared feast table at a medieval Christmas festival, or a theater night followed by dinner.

Families and reunions: the zoo in holiday mode

When the whole extended family is in town, the San Diego Zoo is hard to beat for range: toddlers, teens and grandparents all find something. During Jungle Bells the zoo stays open until 8 p.m. with holiday light trails, music and Santa photo visits, all included with admission.

Groups of 15 or more paying guests get a 10% discount off walk-up and Any Day 1-Day Pass admission, and groups of 100 or more get 15%. The discount does not apply to tours, safaris or other special experiences, and the zoo strongly recommends advance reservations. Pets are not permitted, so arrange care for the family dog.

Office parties and team outings: theater and skating

A holiday show is an easy team outing because the entertainment is built in. The Old Globe offers discounts on select dates for groups of 15 or more for its holiday productions, and handling fees are waived for all group orders. In 2026 the Globe’s holiday shows are Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show. Group sales phones are staffed Tuesday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

For something more active, Skating by the Sea at the Hotel del Coronado offers group rates for 20 to 60 skaters on select dates; call 619-522-8100. A ticket covers 90 minutes on the ice with skate rentals included, and everyone needs a signed waiver before check-in, so collect those ahead of time rather than at the rink.

Scouts: a night aboard a tall ship

The Maritime Museum of San Diego runs programs designed for scouts. The Oceanography Merit Badge program for Scouts BSA youth lasts about five hours for groups of 10 to 40 scouts, and scouts who complete all requirements receive a signed blue card. An overnight option lets scouts sleep aboard a historic tall ship after the program, with a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 50 participants.

Younger scouts have their own option: Ahoy, Scouts! (Introduction to Sailing Ships), a two-hour program for Brownies and Cub Scouts in groups of 15 to 30. The museum also lists adventure tours with rowing on San Diego Bay and three-hour day sails. Book through the museum’s education department contact form, and ask early if you want a December date.

Homeschool groups and classes

The Maritime Museum’s guided education tours are built for youth and school groups of any grade level: a 1.5-hour guided walk through five historic vessels, with a 15-participant minimum. A 45-minute bay cruise can be added for up to 25 passengers. Homeschool co-ops should contact the education department to confirm how they can book.

For California history, Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside books private tours, 4th grade class tours and pilgrimage or tour groups, and posts research materials for 4th grade mission reports. Its museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, closed on Christmas Day, and there is a free picnic area for lunch.

Friends: share a feast

For a group of friends who want something memorable, the Yuletide Medieval Festival in Lakeside on December 5 and 6 and December 12 and 13, 2026 offers jousting, minstrels and an artisan marketplace, plus the St. Nicholas Day Feast: five courses with ale, wine or a festive drink, on Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at noon. Feast seats are limited to 100 per day (20 for the Kids Feast), so a group should book together early. Tickets are bought online per day, and the festival does not publish group rates; call (858) 864-0020 or email info@yuletidemedievalfestival.com with group questions.

Mixed-age groups: keep everyone comfortable

The hardest groups to plan for are the mixed ones: grandparents and toddlers, or a team with very different energy levels. Choose venues with places to sit, restrooms and shade, and build in a midpoint where the group can split up and meet again at a set time and place.

Ask about accessibility before you book, especially accessible parking, seating and the distance from the drop-off to the main area. Plan meals around the outing instead of hoping to find one table for twenty on the day; many venues sell food on site, but lines grow at peak hours.

Finally, agree on a budget early. A shared spreadsheet or group payment app keeps costs clear, and choosing an outing with a single ticket price makes it easier for everyone to say yes.

How to organize a holiday group outing

Whatever the group, the same few steps save headaches:

• Count heads early. Most group discounts start at 15 people, and some programs cap size, so know your number before you call.
• Book weeks ahead. Popular December dates for programs, shows and skating sessions can fill early.
• Ask about payment and changes. Group policies on deposits, refunds and late additions vary, so get them in writing.
• Handle paperwork in advance: waivers, chaperone ratios and accessibility needs.
• Plan transportation and parking for the whole group, including where a bus or several cars can park.
• Name one point of contact who carries the confirmation, tickets and a printed headcount.

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