It’s beginning to look, feel and sound a lot like Christmas. I don’t know about you but I am loving the Christmas music on KyXy. Here are my picks for a Jolly Weekend in America’s Finest
Friday, Dec. 4
Balboa Park December Nights
(3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Balboa Park)
KyXy will be broadcasting from the Prado Friday and Saturday. I emcee on the Organ Pavilion Stage Friday night. I’ve been emceeing since 1980 when we used to call it Christmas on the Prado (I still do). Since 2002 we’ve called it December Nights. I don’t care what we call it, when you stroll through the Park, it’s obvious what holiday we’re celebrating. Friday and Saturday participating Balboa Park museums will open their doors free of charge from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Each night we get live music, food and entertainment and close to half a million people. 2 words of advice, “mass transit”
Holiday Wonderland at Petco Park
(4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Petco Park)
For the second year in a row, Petco Park turns into a winter wonderland with this holiday spectacular, which kicks off Dec. 4 and runs for three consecutive weekends, plus Dec. 21 and Dec. 23. Holiday Wonderland will light up the ballpark for 12 nights with colorful lighting vignettes for visitors to walk through, plus unique holiday activities for visitors of all ages. Of course, Santa Claus will be there too.
Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House
(2 p.m. to 9 p.m., different locations around the Island)
Coronado rings in the holiday season with this annual celebration that includes a visit from Santa Claus – who arrives around 3:20 p.m., by ferry, at the Coronado Ferry Landing – and a lively parade down Orange Avenue featuring floats and bands. The all-day festivities will also include an area dubbed “Snow Mountain” where kids can play in “Coronado snow,” plus a 7 p.m. lighting ceremony of the Rotary Plaza Christmas tree, followed by live music.
Olde Fashioned Christmas
(5 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Inn at Rancho Sante Fe)
Ring in the holidays at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe with a festive evening of ice skating, caroling, marshmallow roasting, a soup competition, photos with Santa Claus ($10 per photo) and the lighting of a 20-foot Christmas tree. Meanwhile, 40 percent of proceeds from The Inn’s ice skating rink will benefit Father Joe’s Villages.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
(8 p.m., Valley View Casino Center)
If you’re loving the Christmas music on KyXy you’ll probably want to check out Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Valley View Casino Center on Friday.
Saturday, Dec. 5
Aztec vs Air Force: We have one football team that plays at the Q we can all be proud of and I’m not talking about the soon to bolt Carson Chargers. Yes, the votes are in and the word is out: San Diego State’s football program is edging ever closer to high-stepping into the high-rent district. The same team that finished 8-0 in league play for the first time in school history captured four of the five major Mountain West postseason awards… tomorrow State takes on Air Force for the MW championship. 4:30 PM on ESP2 at Qualcomm Stadium.
Helen Woodward’s Frosty Farm
(9 a.m., Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe)
Alpacas, chinchillas, doves, chickens – even Blitzen? Stop by this Frosty Farm for some early Christmas cheer. There will be cookie decorating, face painting, faux snow, a hot chocolate station and we even get a chance to take a photo with Santa and his dog.
Hanukkah Happening at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (Dec.5 and Dec. 6) The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla is bringing back it’s yearly Hanukkah Happening. We have grown-up fun on Saturday and family activities on Sunday including an auction, crafts, prizes and kosher and dairy food.
San Diego STEAM Maker Festival
(10 a.m., Del Mar Fairgrounds)
Celebrate all things science, tech, engineering, arts and math at this specialized festival. Take your kids and let them roam through 150 booths provided by the more than 40 schools participating. Meet a life-sized giraffe, explore working helicopters, take the helm of an underwater robot, hold tropical snakes – and so much more!
Christmas Comes to Imperial Beach
(12 p.m., Imperial Beach Pier Plaza)
Start by taking a photo with Santa Claus and then enjoy local performances and family-friendly fun. The festival will feature area school performances, ballet dance, kids activities, carnival games and food from local eateries.
Makers Arcade Holiday Fair
(11 a.m., The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier)
Jump-start your holiday shopping by picking out the perfect handcrafted gift at this unique festival. More than 95 artists will display their work, from jewelry to ceramics to clothing to home goods and more. Three local food trucks will cater to all the hungry stomachs at lunch.
Sunday, Dec. 6
SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off
(11 a.m., San Diego Ceramic Connection)
Mix beer, chili, holiday shopping and a fun children’s fest, and what do you get? This festive event features local restaurants, breweries and vendors selling handmade gifts. Competing restaurants will provide the chili for the event.
La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
(1:30 p.m., Girard Avenue)
Stop by one of La Jolla’s most popular streets for this annual parade through the village. The iconic parade will go down Girard Avenue, then down Prospect Street and conclude at a Christmas tree lighting at 4:30 p.m. at the La Jolla Recreation Center.
North Park Toyland Parade and Festival
(11 a.m., University Avenue between Utah and Iowa Streets)
If you’re looking to get into the holiday mood, this cheerful festival – a local favorite – is for you. The 52nd annual parade will go through some of North Park’s most historic areas, opening up a nearby festival at 12 p.m. Watch as Santa Claus coasts through the neighborhood, ringing his jingle bells atop his merry red fire engine.
San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
(1 p.m., Qualcomm Stadium)
The San Diego Chargers will face off against the Denver Broncos this Sunday in what is one of the last games of the season and maybe one of the last times they’ll be the San Diego Chargers. I’m picking the Bolts by 13! I’ve also started drinking early. Q. How do you keep the Chargers out of your yard? A. Put up a goal post. Sorry, couldn’t resist
New Movies Out This Weekend:
Sorry, only one!
Krampus, starring Adam Scott, Toni Collette and Conchata Ferrell. The film follows a family who, while suffering from a lack of Christmas spirit, inadvertently summon Krampus, a demonic force of ancient evil who wreaks havoc on Christmas. Hey this can’t be any worse than the ABC Family Holiday movies starring Chula Vista’s own Mario Lopez.
Have a fantastic weekend.
CREDIT: NBC 7