ONGOING EVENTS

‘A Christmas Cabaret’
Through Dec. 17
Lamplighters Community Theatre presents an evening of seasonal music and entertainment. Some of the proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Dec. 1–17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Lamplighters Community Theatre, 5917 Severin Drive, La Mesa. Tickets are $20 adults, $17 for seniors, students and active military. Available at bit.ly/2z9q0Uc or by calling 619-303-5092.

‘Gardens Aglow’
Through Dec. 16
Visit the Water Conservation Garden and see it decorated in holiday lights. Santa will visit on certain days; there will be children’s craft activities; live music and festive treats. Dec.7–9 and Dec. 14–16 at the Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon 92019. Tickets are $3 for children 3–11; $5 adults and youth 12 and older. Available at the door or online at thegarden.org.

Global Winter Wonderland
Through Jan. 7
Winter carnival complete with light displays, live entertainment, rides, fair food and more. Features the largest Chinese lantern festival of its kind outside of China. At SDCCU Stadium, 9449 Friars Road. Tickets start at $36, sold at the gate.

Dec. 15

Hanukkah party
Enjoy latkes, jelly donuts (sufganiyot) and menorah lighting. Entertainment by Debra Davis and members of Second Avenue Klezmer. 12:30 p.m. at the College Avenue Center, 6299 Capri Drive, 92120. Admission is free.

Dec. 16

Artist reception
The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation presents “Natural Views,“ an exhibition featuring artwork from students in the Grossmont Union High School District. This exhibit will be on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Art Gallery Dec. 9–Jan. 5.

The public is cordially invited to a reception in honor of the artists on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 1–4 p.m. The MTRP Visitor and Interpretive Center is located at 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, 92119, and is open daily from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information about the MTRP art program, contact Vicky DeLong, art coordinator, at 619-286-1361 or Leslie Perkins, MTRP Foundation at [email protected] or 619-582-4502.

Dec. 17

Community concert & caroling
Under the director of Robert Plimpton, world famous organist, a unique community Christmas event will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.

The concert features “Come, Savior of the Nations,” a hymn festival by Michael Burkhardt, of seasonal music spanning several centuries. The 32-voice choir includes singers from several area churches, accompanied by organ, brass and hand bells, with audience participation.

Ascension Lutheran Church is located at 5106 Zion Ave. in Allied Gardens. Admission is free.

Live music: Tony Orlando

On Dec. 17 and 18, singer Tony Orlando takes the stage at Sycuan Casino, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon 92019. Shows start at 6 p.m. Tickets: $49–59 available at sycuan.com.

Film discussion: ‘Youth in Oregon’
Hemlock Society of San Diego presents a film discussion in the group’s Right-to-Die Film Series about a retired doctor who is unwilling to endure further treatment for a hopeless heart condition.

Dec. 17, 1:30–3:30 p.m. at the Mission Valley Public Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway. Visit hemlocksocietysandiego.org for more information.

Dec. 18

Live music: Al Jacobs
Singer and piano player Al Jacobs leads a sing along. 12:30 p.m. at the College Avenue Center, 6299 Capri Drive, 92120. Admission is free.

Film discussion: ‘The Other Son’
Ralph DeLauro hosts a screening and discussion of the film “The Other Son.” 1 p.m. at the College Avenue Center, 6299 Capri Drive, 92120. Admission is free.

Dec 20

California Professional Ballet
California Professional Ballet presents an evening of ballet, including the second act of “The Nutcracker,” as well as new and classical works by M. Tchernychev and V. Kabaniaev. The show features advanced students from this professional-level ballet school, as well as professionals from the local ballet community.

7 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., 92115.

Tickets are $30. For additional details call 619-713-8979. There will also be a Christmas opportunity to give at the concert where you can bring a toy or canned food for the less fortunate.

Dec. 21

Script in Hand Players
Enjoy a performance of comedic short plays. 12:45 p.m. at the College Avenue Center, 6299 Capri Drive, 92120. Admission is free.

Men’s basketball
SDSU Aztecs take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

7 p.m. at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive. Tickets range $56–358 available at bit.ly/2npzEwy

Dec. 22

Live music: Bernie Kaye and Richard James
Vocal and piano group performs the favorites. 12:30 p.m. at the College Avenue Center, 6299 Capri Drive, 92120. Admission is free.

Dec. 28

Women’s basketball
SDSU Aztecs take on the Wyoming Cowgirls.

6:30 p.m. at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive. Tickets range $6–20 available at bit.ly/2AN3XTw.

Dec. 29

New Year’s celebration
Celebrate the New Year early with a lunch featuring entertainment by Bob Constantine and his band, refreshments and dancing. 12:30 p.m. at the College Avenue Center, 6299 Capri Drive, 92120. Admission is free.

Dec. 30

Men’s basketball
SDSU Aztecs take on the Utah State Aggies.

7 p.m. at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive. Tickets range $13–159 available at bit.ly/2BBTFTr.

Dec. 31

Black and Gold New Year’s Eve Party on the Bay
Join the Maritime Museum of San Diego and ring in the New Year in style aboard the historic steam ferryboat Berkeley. Live music, full bar, appetizers, photo booth, desert buffet, balloon drop and Champagne toast. Tickets also include party hats, noisemakers and other party flair.

Event runs 9 p.m.–1 a.m. Tickets are $50 and up available at sdmaritime.org.

Jan. 3

Women’s basketball
SDSU Aztecs take on the Colorado State Rams.

6:30 p.m. at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive. Tickets range $6–20 available at bit.ly/2zW8vqV.

Jan. 7

Men’s basketball
American Basketball Association game between the San Diego Guardians and the Lakewood Panthers.

2:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 6753 University Ave., 92115. Tickets range $7–10 available at bit.ly/2AP1RTd.

Jan. 9

Men’s basketball
SDSU Aztecs take on the San Jose State Spartans.

8 p.m. at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive. Tickets range $9–102 available at bit.ly/2BDJD44.

Jan. 11

Watoto Children’s Choir

The Watoto Children’s Choir, a group of 18 orphans from Uganda, perform their brand new concert, “Signs & Wonders.”

Since 1994, Watoto Children’s Choirs have traveled the world sharing the plight of Africa’s orphaned children. Each child in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both of their parents but they have been rescued and now live in a Watoto village. Watoto is a holistic child care solution initiated to serve the dire needs of the people of Africa. The concert will feature worship songs that share the stories of the children and the hope they have because of God’s love.

Performance begins at 7 p.m. at the SD Church, 4579 Mission Gorge Place. Free and open to the public.

Airband show
Patrick Henry students compete in a lip-sync battle, complete with dance routines and costumes. The winning team will be featured at the student rally in February.

6 p.m. in the Patrick Henry PHAME building, 6702 Windermere Drive, 92120. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in the school’s financial office.

Jan. 13

Women’s basketball
SDSU Aztecs take on the Boise State Broncos.

1 p.m. at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive. Tickets range $6–20, available at bit.ly/2kbVQJ4

Jan. 14

Live music: The O’Jays

On Jan. 14 and 15, American R&B group The O’Jays perform their classic songs at Sycuan Casino, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon 92019. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets: $99–109 available at sycuan.com.

Jan. 17

Men’s basketball
SDSU Aztecs take on the Fresno State Bulldogs.

8 p.m. at Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive. Tickets range $12–124, available at bit.ly/2zVSmlb.

RECURRING EVENTS

Saturdays

Garden Open House
San Carlos Community Garden opens their gates every Saturday for the community to explore and enjoy the garden. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the San Carlos Community Garden, 6460 Boulder Lake. Contact [email protected].

Sundays

Farmers Market
Come out to Lewis Middle School for the Allied Gardens Farmers Market, featuring more than 100 locally sourced vendors. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Lewis Middle School, 5170 Greenbriar Ave. Contact [email protected] or visit bit.ly/2w7qNTz.