San Diego is preparing for a busy end to the year, with numerous charity events scheduled throughout November and December aimed at supporting a wide array of local and international causes. As Modern Luxury reported, the region's social calendar is turning into an occasion for giving back, transforming ballrooms and outdoor spaces into venues for community support.
November kicks off with several notable events. On November 1, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar will host the fourth annual Día de Muertos Gala, presented by Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre. This culinary event honors José Andrés and features Michelin-starred chefs such as Javier Plascencia and Roberto Alcocer, with proceeds supporting Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre. Founders Maru and Fausto Vargas will be in attendance, and guests are encouraged to wear Día de Muertos attire. Also during November, Corazon de Vida is holding an action-packed evening at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa to support children without parental care. This event, which also encourages Day of the Dead attire, includes a Champagne greeting, cocktail hour, and a live auction.
For those looking to get active for a cause, the Komen San Diego Walk takes place at Balboa Park, starting at Sixth Avenue and El Prado. Participants will unite in the fight against breast cancer, with festivities and a San Diego mascot dance-off following the walk. Another opportunity to take strides toward a healthier future is the JDRF One Walk at NTC Park in Liberty Station, focusing on raising funds for Type 1 diabetes research. The Arthritis Foundation is also planning its festive 5K, the Jingle Bell Run, at Liberty Station Park in Point Loma, welcoming runners, walkers, kids, and even four-legged competitors to support arthritis research.
Several galas and formal events are planned to raise crucial funds. Designing Dreams is hosting its annual fundraiser at Feast and Fareway in Coronado, where elegant holiday attire is encouraged to support the nonprofit’s mission of transforming bedrooms into personalized spaces for children battling cancer. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night ceremony invites the community to Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diego to release lanterns in support of hope and healing.
Further into November, The US Grant in Downtown San Diego will be the venue for City Ballet of San Diego’s Hollywood Magic Gala. This evening will feature Champagne, silent auctions, and entertainment to support the professional dance company. Also at The US Grant, the C4 Foundation will host a prestigious gathering to honor Navy SEALs, complete with cuisine, drinks, and an auction. San Diego Oasis is rolling out the red carpet for its Golden Age of Hollywood Gala in Rancho Bernardo, with proceeds benefiting older adults and supporting literacy and mentorship programs for at-risk children in Title I schools.
The San Diego Gulls Foundation will hold its 10th Annual Golf Classic on November 16 at Singing Hills Golf Club in El Cajon, where hockey stars will trade their sticks for clubs to raise funds for educational programming and accessible opportunities. The Grossmont Hospital Foundation is celebrating its 40th Anniversary Gala at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina in Downtown San Diego, a cocktail-attired soiree expected to draw nearly 600 community members in support of the East County hospital. The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County will host a gingerbread design competition at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar to support its compassionate services.
Later in November, the San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park is set for its Legends of Flight Air and Space Hall of Fame Gala. The event will honor pioneers like Buzz Aldrin, Clay Lacy, Si Robin, and Royce Williams with the Sword of Excellence, inducting its class of 2026. The San Diego Symphony will host a gala at the Jacobs Music Center in Downtown San Diego, featuring a concert with Grammy winners Isabel Leonard and Jason Mraz, followed by dinner, dancing, and an afterparty, all supporting the orchestra’s educational programs. The National MS Society will host a masquerade-themed revelry at San Diego Mission Bay Resort to fund research.
As December approaches, holiday-themed events come to the forefront. The Arc of San Diego will host its Winter Wonderland Fashion Show and Luncheon on December 4 at The US Grant in Downtown San Diego, featuring a fashion show by Leonard Simpson and festive shopping to support programs for individuals with disabilities. Cruise 4 Kids is organizing a glam-packed evening at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, showcasing fashion shows, exotic cars, and an "iconic teddy pit" filled with bears for children in need.
Other December events include Global Communities: Hands Across Borders Gala at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, focusing on fundraising for healthier futures for children and families locally and globally. Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla will celebrate its 95th anniversary with a Candlelight Ball at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, featuring cocktails, dinner, dancing, and live entertainment. The Carols by Candlelight Celebration at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts will bring country headliners to perform seasonal favorites, raising funds for Rady Children’s Hospital’s mission.
Further out in the county, Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine will hold its Festival of Lights, allowing rescued residents to unwrap presents amid Santa sightings, fireside music, and hot cocoa, all supporting the animals' lifelong care. SITE Southern California is planning a weekend of giving back at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, which includes a 5K, social gatherings, and a culminating gala benefiting the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, Freedom Dogs, and Oncology and Kids (OAK).
This diverse calendar offers San Diegans numerous ways to engage with their community and support causes from health and education to animal welfare and arts, ensuring the region’s spirit of generosity shines throughout the end of the year.
