Holiday Happenings & Events at the YMCA
YMCAs across San Diego County are decking the halls with holiday events and activities for all ages. From pictures with Santa and cookie decorating to crafts and festive gatherings, there’s something to make every heart merry and bright. Check out the events below and join the holiday fun today!
Join us for crafts & cheer jingle jams santa photos toy drives giving trees cookie decorating
Family Events
South Bay Family YMCA | Drop & shop (11/28), Parents Night Out (12/3 & 12/23) & Cookies, Crafts & Cheer (12/18)
Drop & Shop
Friday, November 28, 9:00am-12:45pm
Drop your children off to enjoy crafts, games and activities while you get some much needed holiday shopping done.
- Non-member: $25
- Up to 15% off with select Y memberships
- Ages 3-12 (must be potty trained)
- Snacks will be provided
Register online or at the front desk.
For more information, please contact jmillard@ymcasd.org or emerino@ymcasd.org.
Parents Night Out
December 3 & 23 | 4:45pm-7:45pm
Drop your kids off at the Y and enjoy a night out! They’ll have playtime, crafts, fun activities and a fun movie to round out the evening.
- Non-member: $25
- Up to 15% off with select Y memberships
- Ages 3-12 (must be potty trained)
- Snacks will be provided — please pack dinner for your child
Register online or at the front desk.
For more information, please contact jmillard@ymcasd.org or emerino@ymcasd.org.
Cookies, Crafts & Cheer
Thursday, December 18 | 4:45pm-7:45pm
Kick off the holiday season with an evening full of festive fun for the whole family! Join us and decorate delicious cookies, design your own holiday cards and make winter themed crafts to take home.
- Non-member: $25
- Up to 15% off with select Y memberships
- Ages 3-12 (must be potty trained)
- Snacks will be provided — please pack dinner for your child
Register online or at the front desk.
For more information, please contact jmillard@ymcasd.org or emerino@ymcasd.org.
Dan Mckinney Family YMCA | Teen Jingle Jam (12/5) & Cookies with santa (12/13)
Teen night jingle jam
Friday, December 5 | 7:00-8:30pm
Get creative with cookie decorating, winter crafts and games, then warm up at our hot chocolate bar complete with all the toppings. Plus, don’t miss our karaoke station where you can sing your favorite festive tunes! It’s the perfect way to kick off the season with friends, fun and laughter! For teens ages 12-17.
For questions or more information, please contact rkirkpatrick@ymcasd.org.
Cookies with santa
Saturday, December 13 | 11:00am-12:00pm
Bring the whole family to decorate cookies and capture a special moment with Santa. Join us as we kick off the holiday season with joy, treats and festive cheer!
FREE Event with Registration
Register online or at the front desk.
For questions or more information, please contact tdinh@ymcasd.org.
MAGDALENA Ecke Family YMCA | Cookies with santa (12/19)
Cookies with Santa
Friday, December 19 | 3:30-5:30pm
Join us for Cookies with Santa in the front lobby! This event is the perfect chance to enjoy cookies and cocoa, snap a photo and spend time with the big red guy himself!
FREE Event | No Registration Required
Border View Family YMCA | Holiday Giving Tree (12/12)
Holiday Giving Tree
Fridayy, December 12 | 5:00-7:00pm
Fun for the whole family! Enjoy exciting activities like gift giveaways, crafts, games and so much more. Register your children, ages 13 and under, to receive a special gift during the event!
FREE Event with Registration
Please note: Each registered child will receive one gift, and they must be present to collect it. Our event and gift distribution is open to the first 100 registered children. Once we reach capacity, we will start a waitlist and keep families updated. Families will be notified when accepted or on the waitlist.
Cameron Family YMCA | Cookies with Santa (12/20)
Cookies with santa
Saturday, December 20 | 1:30-3:30pm
Join us for a fun-filled holiday celebration featuring cookie decorating, ornament crafting, letters to Santa, “Pin the Heart on the Grinch” and a chance to take photos with Santa himself!
FREE Event | Pre-Registration Required
Register online or at the front desk.
For questions or more information, please contact April Wilkerson at awilkerson@ymcasd.org
Drop & Shop
Friday, December 19 | 11:00am-2:00pm
Drop your children off in Child Watch and take some time for a little holiday shopping.
- Non-member: $35
- Additional child: $20
- Up to 25% off with select Y memberships
Register online or at the front desk.
Mission Valley YMCA | Photos with Santa (12/20 & 12/20)
Photos with santa
Friday, December 12 | 5:30-7:30pm & Saturday, 20 | 11:30am-1:30pm
Bring the family for a magical evening of holiday fun! Meet Santa for a printed keepsake photo and take a selfie with The Grinch at our festive photo booth — send it straight to your phone or email. Sip hot chocolate, decorate holiday cookies and enjoy the joyful spirit of the season together!
- Non-members Early Bird: $10 (ends 12/9/25)
- Non-members Regular: $14
- Up to 25% off with select Y memberships
Please note: Each date is a different registration option. If you have multiple children, additional registrations will only be $8. To select this option, you must register one child under normal registration.
Register online, at the front desk or over the phone.
For more information or questions, call 619-298-3576.
Jackie Robinson Family YMCA | Kids night at the Y (12/12), Drop & shop (12/13) & Christmas with Characters Holiday Event (12/20)
Kids Night at the Y
Friday, December 12 | 4:00-8:00pm
Treat your kids to a magical Winter Wonderland packed with crafts, games and holiday cheer! Parents can enjoy a well-deserved break while the fun unfolds.
- Non-member: $40
- Up to 25% off with select Y memberships
- Ages 3-12 (must be potty trained)
Register online, at the front desk or over the phone.
For more information, please contact April Cardenas at 619-264-0144 or email macardenas@ymcasd.org
Drop & Shop
Saturday, December 13 | 1:00-5:00pm
Join us for our Drop & Shop Holiday Event, designed to support families during the busy holiday season. Children enjoy a safe, engaging environment with holiday-themed activities, while parents shop at their convenience. A simple way to make the holidays brighter.
- Non-member: $40
- Up to 25% off with select Y memberships
- Ages 3-12 (must be potty trained)
Register online, at the front desk or over the phone.
For more information, please contact April Cardenas at 619-264-0144 or email macardenas@ymcasd.org
Teen Holiday event
Saturday, December 20 | 9:00am-12:00pm
Celebrate the season at our Wonderland Teen Holiday Event with free beauty services, festive activities, hot cocoa, gifts and plenty of holiday fun. Located in the Basketball Gym.
- Holiday & Confidence Beauty Station: Thrive & Shine Academy is coordinating a licensed team of beauty pros to provide complimentary teen services and the Treasure’s Chair confidence & cozy corner! Sign up here.
- Cocoa & Chill Café: Enjoy hot cocoa and a relaxing break from the holiday rush.
- Free Holiday Gift Shop: First-come, first-served gifts while supplies last.
- Winter Photo Experience: Take festive photos with friends and celebrate the holiday spirit!
Christmas with Characters
Saturday, December 20 | 10:00am-12:00pm
Join us for our Annual Holiday Event at the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA!
This family event will include Holiday music, themed arts & crafts, Holiday treats, pictures with Santa and much, much more!
FREE Event | No Registration Required
Please note: Pre-registered families will be let in at 9:00am. Each child in attendance will receive a gift while supplies last. Please plan to attend early.
For more information, please contact April Cardenas at 619-264-0144 or email macardenas@ymcasd.org
Volunteering
Interested in volunteering? Fill out our volunteer form and join us in making a difference!
Donations
- New toys
- Wrapping paper
- Decorations
- Candy canes
We will be accepting donations until December, 19. Click on the links below to purchase items directly off our wishlists:
McGrath Family YMCA | North Pole Market (12/20)
Kids north pole market
Saturday, December 20 | 10:00am-12:oopm
Join us on the pool deck for the North Pole Market, where kids can shop for holiday crafts, custom ornaments, treats and more using their special “Y Bucks.” A fun, festive experience filled with creativity and cheer!
- Non-member: $8
- Up to 25% off with select Y memberships
Register online or at the front desk.
Registration is required for children before the event date. Event ticket will give each child 10 “YBucks” and a gift bag to shop with.
Copley-Price Family YMCA | Holiday Fest (12/20)
Holiday Fest
Saturday, December 20 | 11:00am-12:00pm
You’re invited to our community holiday party! Join us for a festive celebration and enjoy food from the Blue Shield Promise Food Truck (with Thrive Global recipes), plus gift giveaways, a bounce house, crafts and games. This event is open to all ages.
FREE Event!
Please note: Families participating in the toy drive will be let in at 9:00am
TOBY WELLS YMCA | Tommie's Place (12/14) & Teen Holiday Giveback (12/20)
Teen Holiday Giveback
Saturday, December 20 | 9:00am-12:00pm
Join us for the Teen Holiday Giveback, a joyful celebration for youth ages 12–18 held alongside the Annual Toys for Tots event. Toby Wells will host a Game Store, and we’re collecting new games so teens can gift them to their families or use them to connect and create memories together.
TOMMIE'S PLACE | ADOPT-A-FAMILY WISHLIST PROGRAM
Support local families and young adults in need this holiday season. Tommie’s Place helps 18–22 year-olds who are pregnant, parenting or experiencing homelessness transition to self-sufficiency and positive parenting. Gift collection ends December 14.
Ryan Family YMCA | Breakfast with Santa (12/13) & Angel Tree Giving (12/18)
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 13 | 9:00-11:00am
Join us for a delightful morning at the Y and make memories with Santa! Enjoy a delicious breakfast, engage in fun games, get creative with crafts and bring holiday cheer to life with face painting. It’s a magical way to kick off the holiday season! Located on the pool deck.
- Non-member: $10
- Member: FREE
Register online or at the front desk.
Angel Tree Giving
Spread the spirit of giving by providing gifts to children in our community.
How to participate
- Select an ornament containing wish list item, age and gender of a child in our programs. Be sure to let membership staff know which ornament you’ve selected before you go!
- Purchase a gift! Bring unwrapped items with the ornament taped on into the Ryan Family YMCA and place in the box at our membership desk by Monday, December 15.
- Join us for one of our wrapping events on Wednesday, December 17 from 12:30-2:00pm or 4:00-6:00pm.
- Come celebrate at our Angel Tree Party on Thursday, December 18 from 5:00-6:00pm at the Ryan Y. Donors and recipients are invited to enjoy hot chocolate, cookie decorating and gift opening.
For more information, contact ryancommunityevents@ymcasd.org or call 619-226-8888.
Y ACTIVE ADULT (55+) Events
McGrath Family YMCA | Senior Brunch (12/5)
Cozy Comfort Senior Brunch
Friday, December 5 | 9:00am-10:30am
Kick off the holiday season and celebrate National Comfort Food Day by joining us for a cozy, winter-inspired morning of fun at the Y! Bring a cozy or holiday dish of your choosing to share or simply come and enjoy some delicious treats. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with friends, meet new people and celebrate the season together.
No prior registration is required but an RSVP is appreciated. Please see the Member Service desk to RSVP for the event or email Sarah Adams at shunteradams@ymcasd.org to confirm attendance.
Mission Valley YMCA | Holiday Lunch (12/12) & Tremble Clefs Holiday Celebration (12/17)
Holiday Lunch & Gift exchange
Friday, December 12 | 12:00-2:00pm
Time for holiday season cheer! Come enjoy time with friends, good food and a fun gift exchange ($15 limit). Lunch will be catered, optional to bring your favorite dessert to share. Located in the Dick Webster Community Room.
- Non-member: $27
- Members save up to 25% off with select Y memberships
Register online or at the Welcome Center by December 10.
For more information, please contact Barb Madsen at bmadsen@ymcasd.org or 619-298-3576.
Tremble Clefs Holiday Celebration
Wednesday, December 17 | 1:30-2:30pm
It’s time to celebrate the season with joyful holiday music! Join us for a festive performance by the Tremble Clefs, and stay afterward to mingle and enjoy delicious holiday treats. Please feel free to bring a friend and a dessert or treat to share after the performance. Located in Studio 1.
Register online or at the Welcome Center by December 16.
For more information, please contact Barb Madsen at bmadsen@ymcasd.org or 619-298-3576.
MAGDALENA Ecke Family YMCA | Holiday Potluck Lunch (12/16)
Holiday Potluck Lunch
Tuesday, December 16 | 12:00-2:00pm
Join us for a festive potluck lunch to celebrate the holidays, featuring live entertainment, plenty of delicious food, exciting giveaways and a visit from a very special guest!
FREE Event | No Registration Required
Please note: Add your name and what you will be bringing to our sign-up sheet in the front lobby.
South Bay Family YMCA | Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange (12/19)
Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange
Friday, December 16 | 12:15-1:30pm
Join us for an exciting Y Active Adults holiday social with your friends at the YMCA! Bring your homemade or store-bought cookies enough to share for our event and wear your festive holiday sweater. Stay for holiday crafts and fun games to get you in the holiday spirit. RSVP at the Membership Services Desk food count and room set up. Located in Studio 1.
For more information, contact Michelle Manly at mmanly@ymcasd.org or 619-421-9622.
