# Tree Lighting & Merry Market — San Marcos

> Event for families in the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad area (CA). Times are Pacific Time.

- When: Sat, Dec 5 · 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Where: San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Center Drive, San Marcos, CA 92069
- Ages: Check age guidance
- Price: Free photos with Santa and free children's crafts; food and market goods for sale
- Organizer: City of San Marcos Parks & Recreation
- Official page: https://www.sanmarcosca.gov/
- Last checked: Tue, Oct 27

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Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-01), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-diego/activities/tree-lighting-and-merry-market-san-marcos--listing-5a99134b80954a0895f1ca80

## About

The City of San Marcos holds its holiday tree lighting as an afternoon-into-evening festival at the San Marcos Community Center on Civic Center Drive. From 1 to 5 PM children can have free photos taken with Santa, and free children's crafts run all afternoon alongside the Merry Market, a holiday market of local craft and food vendors open until 7 PM. Local performers, including a children's choir in past years, entertain on stage. At 5:45 PM the City Council greets the crowd, and at 6 PM Santa lights the city's holiday tree, the highlight of the evening. Arrive early in the afternoon if Santa photos are the goal, since that line closes at 5 PM before the lighting, and bring warm layers for the evening ceremony outdoors. Food and market goods are sold by the vendors.

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