Santa skydives over Coronado Beach on Dec. 3, 2025. Photo credit: Ron Lee/Skydiving Innovations.

A golden sunset adorns the Hotel Del Coronado.

Mobs of adults, children and pets occupy the pathways that lead from the hotel to Coronado Beach.

Pointing upwards, kids chant “Santa!” while curious eyes lock on the man in a red suit as he circles the sky before descending to meet them.

This shoreline landing besides the Pacific Ocean marks the annual Skydiving Santa event.

On Dec. 3, the Hotel Del Coronado hosted its annual holiday festival to welcome the community to an evening of joyous celebration.

This year was Coronado resident Vanessa Hurless’ first time seeing the Santa spectacle with her 2-year-old daughter.

Hurless said she enjoys “getting into the holiday spirit” with the family-friendly activities Coronado offers throughout the season.

This year’s festival also featured performances by Coronado school children, Skating by the Sea (a portion of the proceeds benefitting Make-A-Wish San Diego), photos with Santa, a light show and a fireworks show.

Festivalgoers

Giulia Carvalho, a La Jolla resident, joins her friends to be among the first group to enter the ice skating rink on Windsor Lawn at Hotel Del Coronado on Dec. 3. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Giulia Carvalho balances on one leg during a skating session at the Hotel Del Coronado in December. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
McKenna Bartkowski, who has practiced ice skating for six years, glides through the ice rink at Hotel Del Coronado in December. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Elizabete Zamura raises her arms and leans sideways at a beachfront ice rink at Hotel Del Coronado. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Santa skydives over Coronado Beach on Dec. 3, 2025. Photo credit: Ron Lee/Skydiving Innovations.
(L-R) Chula Vista residents Scotti, Evan and Randi Linney watch Santa skydiving at the Hotel Del Coronado. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Crowds of awaiting spectators record Santa skydiving at the Hotel Del Coronado. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
People walk through Coronado Beach during the Holiday Festival at Hotel Del Coronado on Dec. 3. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Coronado resident Vanessa Hurless (right) enjoys family friendly activities with her daughter Gia Gennaro (left) at Hotel Del Coronado. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Xinjun Lin (left) and Kejia Zhang (right), visiting the Hotel Del Coronado from China, take photos on a terrace during sunset. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
La Mesa resident Irene Fojtik takes a photo of Erica carrying Raven, who annually visit the Hotel Del Coronado in December, during a 10-minute “Wonder Of Oz” lightshow on Founders Lawn. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Coronado resident Gant Morgner takes a photo of Gemma Morgner, 4, and Santa moments before their photo session on Dec. 3 at Southpointe Lawn of the Hotel Del Coronado. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Members of the Najem family pose for a photo behind a festive frame in front of the Hotel Del Coronado. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.
Families visiting the Hotel Del Coronado gather around an Oz-inspired Christmas tree inside the lobby. Staff photo by Julieta Soto.

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Julieta is a reporter for The Coronado News, covering education, small business and investigating the Tijuana/Coronado sewage issue. She graduated from UC Berkeley where she studied English, Spanish, and Journalism. Apart from reporting, Julieta enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.