It’s a wonderful life…in San Diego. This weekend, our county lights up once again with a bevy of holiday events that will leave you with festive, fuzzy feelings as you enjoy the season in America’s Finest City.
Thursday, Dec. 8
San Diego's Family-Friendly Halloween Activities
Taste n’ Tinis
4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Hillcrest
This self-guided food and drink tour returns to Hillcrest Thursday night, offering attendees a chance to stroll the neighborhood while enjoying tasty samples of appetizers and desserts at participating eateries and holiday martinis at select retail shops. Some businesses taking part in this year’s event include Crest Café, Village Hat Shop, Baja Betty’s and Babycakes, to name a few. Pre-sale tickets are $25 per person.
DELights
5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Hotel Del Coronado
The Hotel Del Coronado continues its holiday DELights celebration – a festive, colorful light show that projects onto a multi-faceted tree in the hotel’s Garden Patio that’s surrounded by flickering icicles and snowy palms. While gazing at the display, visitors can also enjoy holiday treats and fun activities for the kids. DELights runs on several nights throughout the month of December.
Fermented Pairings Series
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., White Labs Tasting Room
‘Tis the season to host fancy cheese parties and this pairing event at the White Labs Tasting Room (9495 Candida St.) will teach you how to set up the perfect cheese party at home. Experts will discuss the world of infused cheeses that will go over well this holiday season and offer tips and tricks on what to look for when pairing for a party. Guests will leave with samples of the cheeses tasted during the class, too. Tickets are $40 per person.
It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol
7 p.m., Women’s Club of Escondido
The North County Players will put on their production, “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol,” Dec. 8 through Dec. 18 at the Women’s Club of Escondido (751 North Rose St.). Tickets for Thursday’s show are currently at half-price -- $6 for adults. Shows after that are $12 per person.
Friday, Dec. 9
Beatles Cartoon Pop Art Show
11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts
Ron Campbell – the animator behind the Beatles iconic Yellow Submarine and director of the Beatles Saturday morning TV cartoon series – will showcase his art at Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter (363 Fifth Ave., Suite 102). Art enthusiasts can mingle with Campbell as he paints new works live and discusses cartoons. His 50-year career has included work on beloved children’s TV characters like Scooby Doo, the Smurfs, the Flintstones and more. Campbell’s show at this gallery runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, and again Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. His works will be available for purchase.
Stars at Mission Trails
7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Mission Trails Regional Park
The San Diego Astronomy Association will bring their telescopes back to Mission Trails, weather permitting, for another installment of stargazing. The group meets on the second Friday of each month at the east end of the Kumeyaay Lake Campground's day use parking lot. The event is free and open to all.
Carols by Candlelight
8 p.m., California Center for the Arts Escondido
The 27th annual Carols by Candlelight concert features musical stars singing holiday classics to benefit San Diego’s Rady Children’s Hospital. This year’s lineup includes: BJ Thomas; Brandy Clark; Collin Raye; Noah Guthrie; Eve Selis; and Anna and Steve Vaus. The show will be held both Friday and Saturday at the concert hall at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido; tickets range from $18 to $67.
Beethoven’s Ninth
8 p.m., Copley Symphony Hall
The San Diego Symphony will present this Jacobs Masterworks Concert for three nights this weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at Copley Symphony Hall. The concert is conducted by Edo de Waart and features the San Diego Master Chorale, among many performers. Tickets start at $23.
Rented Christmas: The Musical
8 p.m., Lamplighters Community Theatre
La Mesa’s Lamplighters Community Theatre presents this holiday musical about a middle-aged bachelor and businessman with an interesting request: to rent a Christmas, complete with a tree, carols and the wife and family for which he has been longing. Tickets to this production start at $20; the show runs through Dec. 18.
Saturday, Dec. 10
Holiday Block Party
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Liberty Station
Liberty Station’s Arts District (2460 Decatur Rd.) will celebrate the holidays with this free merry block party Saturday night featuring the festive tunes of carolers and lots of activities – from ice skating to a holiday shopping pop-up market. Take a stroll through the shops, grab a bite and toast to the season.
Green Flash Grand Holiday Marketplace
12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Green Flash Cellar 3
Throw on that holiday sweater and bring your wallet to Green Flash’s Cellar 3 in Poway (12260 Crosthwaite Circle) Saturday to go shopping at this cool little makeshift marketplace featuring more than 25 local vendors selling their homemade goodies. The lineup of artisans includes Venissimo Cheese, Nibble Chocolate, Pine Tree Road Soap and Dark Horse Coffee Roasters, to name a few. Once you’ve crossed off some names on your shopping list, stay for an Ugly Sweater Contest and the release of Green Flash’s third Barrelmaster’s Reserve brew – the Divine Enebro Tripel Ale, aged in gin barrels. A food truck will be on hand selling bites, too. This event is free, and kid and dog-friendly.
The 2016 Reindeer Games
7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Del Mar Fairgrounds
Head over to the Del Mar Fairgrounds Saturday to watch this holiday-themed fitness contest, the 2016 Reindeer Games, presented by Proving Grounds Competitions. Teams of three fitness buffs will compete across five divisions in a series of physical challenges. Admission for spectators is $10; kids 12 and under get in free. Attendees can also enjoy holiday shopping on site, as there will be a huge vendors village all set up at the venue.
Helen Woodward’s Frosty Farm
9 a.m., Helen Woodward Animal Center
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, of course, animal encounters. Attendees will even get a chance to take a photo with Santa and his polar dog. Tickets cost $9.99 for adults and $19.99 for children.
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. Tickets cost $5 at the door, and kids under 12 get in for free.
Pacific Beach Holiday Parade
1 p.m., Garnet Avenue
This popular parade – back for another year - will bring marching bands, floats and much more down one of Pacific Beach’s best-known streets. This year’s theme, “From Sea to Shining Sea”, will celebrate the way different cultures and communities come together during the holidays. The family friendly event will bring a smile to everyone’s face. Bring a chair to sit on or grab a spot on the side of the street and enjoy this festive, fun parade. The parade is free.
Liberty Station’s Holiday Block Party
4 p.m., Liberty Station
The halls are decked, there are boughs of holly – Liberty Station is ready for the holidays! This second annual block party, running from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., means that all the neighborhood’s unique eateries, artist studios and more keep their doors open late. Restaurants like Solare, Fireside by the Patio and more will be serving complimentary bites. Plus, browse pop up shops to find the perfect special gift for your loved ones. There’s more than just shopping and eating at this block party – bring the kids for some ice skating and kid-friendly activities as you stroll down the decked streets enjoying carolers. Soak up the holidays this season at Liberty Station! Admission is free.
Polar Express Family Day
11 a.m., San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Slip into your pajamas and hope aboard! The San Diego Model Railroad Museum will be hosting The Polar Express this Saturday. Get in the Christmas mood with holiday treats, coacoa, and more on the Polar Express! Bring a pillow and enjoy the show, starting at 11:30 a.m. Guests will also be able to enjoy games, a holiday keepsake to make and a very special visitor from the North Pole! Adult admission costs $10.75, admission for children five and under is free.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Parade of Lights
5 p.m., Maritime Museum of San Diego
Festive lights illuminating the San Diego Bay can only mean one thing: the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is back – a holiday tradition upheld by the local boating community bulb for bulb, year after year. This year’s Parade of Lights returns this Sunday with more than 80 boats decked out in bright holiday lights and decorations proceeding from Shelter Island past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village and Coronado’s Ferry Landing.
Wacky Wonky Wonderland
11 a.m., San Diego Center for Children
Join in on one of the wackiest holiday events out there. The Wacky Wonky Wonderland helps spread holiday cheer to the children and families served by the San Diego Center for Children. Bring an unwrapped toy or gift card ($25 or more), or a monetary donation, to the center as admission and enjoy food and drinks, special holiday activities, live music and more. RSVP in advance by clicking here.
Sunday Brunch with Santa
9:30 a.m., Hotel Del Coronado
Kids of all ages will get a chance to have breakfast with jolly St. Nick at this festive brunch on Sunday. The brunch will be held in the Crown Room. Parents: don’t forget your camera to capture the magical moment! Tickets start at $23. Tickets must be reserved in advance.
Who Dunnit? Seaport Village Scavenger Hunt
1 p.m., Seaport Village
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a detective, today is your day to shine. Seaport Village’s Murder Mystery Adventure, a scavenger hunt style game, will take you through the iconic seaside destination in a two-hour adventure as you solve a murder mystery. Tickets cost $25.