San Diego city leaders are weighing whether to scale back or even eliminate December Nights in Balboa Park as they work to close a $118 million budget deficit. The annual holiday celebration — one of the city’s most anticipated events — is now part of ongoing discussions about what to cut a nd what to preserve as officials confront the financial shortfall. No final decision has been made. December Nights has been a staple in the community for decades, drawing large crowds to Balboa Park with festive performances, food and holiday displays. Paul Plunk, who has helped organize the Christmas Story Tree performance at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion for more than 20 years, said the event holds deep meaning for many. “We have an orchestra that we put together. We’ve built a 33-foot Christmas tree out of live greens, out of steel. There’s a stage in the center of it with actors that act out scenes from the traditional Christmas story.” News that the event could be canceled or reduced has sparked concern among those who say it brings the community together. “I wouldn’t know any place to start politically to say ‘hey cut this or cut that.’ That’s not my place to do. I would just say that this crosses all genres and all people groups and it affects every one in our city. And I think it would create greater anxiety and greater backlash than it would help in the budget,” Plunk said. Gerry Veal, a docent at one of the park’s museums, echoed those concerns. “I understand that the city has budget problems. And I get why. But there are some things that you really shouldn’t cut. And I think the celebration of Christmas is one of them,” Veal said. Others say the possibility is especially frustrating following the recent implementation of parking fees for non-city residents at Balboa Park. “I don’t like to hear that at all. That’s one of the really cool things in San Diego to do. Especially that time of year, there’s so many families together. It’s a great thing to do as a family together, it’s a very wholesome thing. Good for the community,” one attendee said. In a statement provided to NBC 7, Mayor Todd Gloria’s office said: “The City is evaluating a range of options and working with the City Council and community partners to determine what is feasible this year for December Nights. No final decisions have been made. We know that December Nights is a cherished San Diego tradition, and we understand how important this event is to residents, families, local businesses, and Balboa Park institutions. At the same time, December Nights is also a large-scale event that requires significant City operational support to the tune of $1.5 million for public safety, park operations, contractors, and more. In a constrained budget year, those costs are part of the broader conversation the City and Council are evaluating. The City is exploring philanthropic and corporate partnerships to help support and sustain the event in 2026 and future years to come. Any funding inquiries can be directed to [email protected].” For now, the future of December Nights remains uncertain as discussions continue. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less