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Hotel del Coronado Christmas 2026: Skating by the Sea and a Holiday Through Time

Ice skating beside the Pacific, a Christmas Eve buffet and Christmas Day brunch in the Crown Room, beach igloos and a lightshow with snow flurries.

By Brittany, Empire ExperienceNovember 2, 20264 min read
Skating by the Sea ice rink at Hotel del Coronado at sunset
Skating by the Sea ice rink at Hotel del Coronado at sunset

Ice skating on the beach. On Christmas. Friend, that's the sentence that sells Hotel del Coronado for me — and it's real.

The Del's 2026 holiday season is called A Holiday Through Time, and it runs November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027 in Coronado, California.

Why Hotel del Coronado is a great Christmas hotel

The Del is a historic beachfront hotel dating back to 1888, and this year it's telling its own story through themed Christmas trees, each inspired by a different chapter of its history. Pair that with the Pacific Ocean and Southern California weather, and you have the most photogenic Christmas on this list.

Hotel del Coronado Christmas 2026 highlights

From the official holiday calendar:

  • Skating by the Sea (Nov 20–Jan 3) — The Del's famous beachfront ice rink with Pacific views. You can also reserve a rink-side lounge with a fire pit and food and drink service.
  • Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec 24) — a holiday buffet in the historic Crown Room.
  • Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25) — a Christmas Day feast in the Crown Room.
  • Victorian Tea (Dec 18–22) in the Crown Room.
  • Holiday Lodge (Nov 20–Jan 3) — a festive retreat in the historic Laundry building with food, drinks, shopping and kids' crafts.
  • Photos with Santa — Dec 4–6, 11–13 and 18–24.
  • Gingerbread House Decorating — Dec 5, 6, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20–27.
  • Beachside Igloos — plush seating and s'mores around a private bonfire.
  • Lightshow Spectacular — the hotel's historic pine trees lit up to festive music, with a finale of snow flurries.
  • Movies on the Beach — a theater under the stars on Del Beach.

The Del is also advertising a holiday offer of up to 30% off for the season.

Who should book The Del for Christmas

  • Couples. Beach sunsets, a rink-side fire pit and Christmas Eve dinner in the Crown Room.
  • Families who want warm-weather Christmas magic. Skating, Santa and gingerbread — no snow boots.
  • History lovers. Every tree tells part of The Del's story.
  • West Coast travelers who want something special close to home.

Why you should book now

Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch in the Crown Room are single-day events, rink-side lounges and igloos are limited by nature, and the up-to-30% offer won't last forever. Book the room first, then grab the dining and experiences.

How to plan your Del Christmas

  1. Stay over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to get both Crown Room meals.
  2. Reserve a rink-side lounge or beach igloo for one evening.
  3. Time Santa photos and gingerbread around the published dates.
  4. Catch the Lightshow Spectacular after dark.

Quick answers

When are the holidays at Hotel del Coronado in 2026? November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027.

When is Skating by the Sea open? November 20 – January 3.

Does The Del serve Christmas dinner? Yes — a Christmas Eve buffet dinner on Dec 24 and a Christmas Day brunch on Dec 25, both in the Crown Room.

Book Hotel del Coronado for Christmas

Here's my honest advice, friend: Christmas week is the most competitive hotel week of the year, and the best rooms always go to the people who book first.

Book your Christmas stay now →

Affiliate links: we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our Disclaimer and Affiliate Disclosure. Every event, date and price above comes from the hotel's own published 2026 information; an announced event does not guarantee room or ticket availability, and rates, taxes and fees should be confirmed at booking.

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