Holiday Food Truck Festival

NOTE: EVENT CANCELED FOR DEC. 26 (THURS.). ALL OTHER DATES TO TAKE PLACE AS SCHEDULED December 26–30, 2019

Noon –7:00PM Facebook Event

Celebrate the holidays with visiting family and friends under Balboa Park’s dazzling holiday light display. For five days and evenings between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the annual Holiday Food Truck Festival serves up gourmet food from over a dozen of San Diego’s top food trucks, along with free live entertainment and fun activities for families. There will also be a rotating selection of games/activities on the Plaza, including giant checkers, hula hoops, bowling, cornhole, and giant tumbling blocks.

Food trucks open for business at 12 noon each day, with the first set of live performances beginning shortly thereafter (see schedule below). From 4:00pm to 7:00pm, a different musical group performs in the Plaza de Panama. This year’s featured evening bands are Carmen Murray Jazz Trio (12/26), Finnegan Blue (12/27), Theo and the Zydeco Patrol (12/28), Sue Palmer (12/29), and the Bayou Brothers (12/30).

The Holiday Food Truck Festival is also a great time to visit Balboa Park’s many cultural attractions. The adjacent San Diego Museum of Art is keeping its doors open until 7:00pm on December 26 and 28–30, and until 8:00pm on December 27 with special $5 admission, 5:00pm–8:00pm (Friday only). The Fleet Science Center and its Craveology café hours are 10:00am to 6:00pm during the festival (until 9:00pm on December 28–29).

Transportation and Parking

Visitors arriving by car should park in the Inspiration Point parking lot at the corner of Park Blvd. and President’s Way and ride the free tram, which runs 9:00am to 6:00pm, into the park.

Families are also encouraged to take public transit to Balboa Park. Rapid 215 provides a direct connection between downtown San Diego and the park. Purchase unlimited rides all day on buses and trolleys for only $6 on the Compass Cloud app at any time prior to boarding.

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-Free Options

Many of our food truck vendors offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Some veggie and gluten-free items are listed on the respective truck’s menu, and some regular items can be altered on request. Check this special Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten-Free Options Menu to learn more.

Please see our event photo and video disclaimer.