Back for year two · Free entry · All ages
Candyland on the Coast
Santa, bounce houses, live music and a whole lot of candy at The Boardwalk on the 101 in Solana Beach.
Saturday
Dec
12
2026
10am–1:30pm
27 days to go
- When
Saturday, Dec 12
10am–1:30pm
- Where
The Boardwalk
243 N Hwy 101
- Cost
Free
No tickets or sign-up
- For
Families and all ages
Presented by The Boardwalk
A candy-coated Saturday on the 101
Candyland on the Coast is Solana Beach's free holiday morning for families, and it's back for a second year at The Boardwalk on the north end of Highway 101. For one Saturday in December the shopping center turns into a candy-coated winter village: Santa and his winter friends posing for photos, gingerbread and snowman bounce houses, a balloon artist, live music and a row of local businesses handing out sweets.
Entry is free, there's nothing to register for, and it's built for little kids — the kind of outing where you can get the holiday photo, burn off some energy and pick up a gift or two from a local vendor in the same trip.
What's happening
Santa, sugar and sing-alongs
Photos with Santa
Santa is joined by three winter characters, so bring the camera and the matching pajamas.
Holiday bounce houses
A gingerbread bounce house and a snowman bounce house for the kids who can't stand still.
Balloon artist
Twisted-balloon creations made to order while you wait.
Live music with Kathryn the Grape
Kids' performer Kathryn the Grape — purple from head to toe — leads the holiday sing-along.
Sweet surprises
Boardwalk shops hand out candy along a Candyland map of the center.
Local vendors
Booths from local family-friendly businesses — 25 and counting — for a little holiday shopping.
Plan your visit
- Date
- Saturday, Dec 12, 2026
- Time
- 10am–1:30pm
- Place
- The Boardwalk, 243 N Hwy 101
- Admission
- Free — all ages welcome
Make a morning of it
The Boardwalk sits on the north end of the 101, a short walk from Fletcher Cove and the cafés and restaurants along the highway.
For local businesses
Get a booth or sponsor the fun
Booths are still open for local, family-friendly businesses. The organizers say more than 25 are already in.
- $125
- 10×10 booth space — bring your own table and tent
- 9–9:45am
- Booth setup, before doors open at 10
Sponsorships
- Pictures with Santa (3 winter characters)$1,500
- Balloon artist$750
- Musical holiday performer$550
- Gingerbread bounce house$550
- Snowman bounce house$400
- Gumdrop Good Neighbor sponsor$50
Activity sponsors get their logo on the activity and in event promotion.
Candyland on the Coast: questions people ask
When is Candyland on the Coast 2026?
Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 10am to 1:30pm.
Where is it?
At The Boardwalk shopping center, 243 N Hwy 101 in Solana Beach, on the north end of the Highway 101 strip.
Does it cost anything?
No. Entry is free and all ages are welcome. Local vendors at the event sell their own goods.
What is there to do?
Photos with Santa and three winter characters, gingerbread and snowman bounce houses, a balloon artist, live music from Kathryn the Grape, candy from the Boardwalk shops and booths from local businesses.
Can my business get a booth?
Yes. A 10×10 booth is $125 and you bring your own table and tent; setup is 9–9:45am. Sponsorships run from $50 to $1,500. Apply through the organizers' vendor form or email events@freundlyinsurance.com.
Is this the first year?
No — 2026 is the second Candyland on the Coast. The first was held at The Boardwalk in December 2025.
More annual events in Solana Beach
Full events calendar →- Sunday, Dec 6, 2026Fletcher Cove Holiday Tree LightingSanta by fire truck, hot cocoa at sunset and — for the first time — real snow for sledding at Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach.Free · Fletcher Cove Park →
- Sat & Sun, Jun 5–6, 2027Fiesta del SolTwo free days of live music, art, food and family fun beside the beach at Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach.Free · Fletcher Cove Park →