Events at Mission Valley mall 

Santa photo sessions 

Mission Valley, an open-air shopping center located in San Diego, invites children and their families to come meet Santa through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Visitors anxiously awaiting the opportunity to meet Santa, share holiday wish lists, and take coveted family photos with Old St. Nick will enjoy the experience of visiting Santa Claus in Mission Valley’s beautifully decorated AMC Theatres Court this year.  

Nearby, there will be two special mailboxes (one under the giant Christmas tree and another at the Santa set) where children can drop off their personal letters to Santa. Professional photo packages range from $39.99 to $49.99. In addition to paid professional photos, the center’s beautiful Santa set will also include a variety of no-cost selfie opportunities. To reduce overall wait times, families are strongly encouraged to make a reservation in advance of their visit. While strongly encouraged, a reservation is not required, and walk-up visits will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Guests making an advance reservation will receive a free personalized phone call from Santa before their visit. To see Santa’s availability or reserve a photo session, visit https://bit.ly/492zdLe. 

Phenix grand opening

The community is invited to the grand opening celebration for Phenix Salon Suites from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 9th. Phenix Salon Suites is a global organization that provides beautifully appointed, yet cost-effective, salon suites in a spa-like setting for entrepreneurs who would like to operate their own beauty or wellness business. 

On December 9th, Phenix Salon Suites will introduce the community to its newest location at Mission Valley, near Macy’s Home Store and the on-site post office. During this fun-filled event, guests will enjoy complimentary refreshments, free gifts (while supplies last), and music by DJ Will as they tour the suites. There will also be a special appearance by Gina Rivera, founder of Phenix Salon Suites, noted author, and featured guest on the Emmy-award winning show “Undercover Boss.” Attendees will be among the first to learn about a brand-new reality TV show Rivera is filming called “Gina the Boss.” This grand opening event is free of charge and open to the public; no pre-registration is required. To learn more, visit https://www.mission-valley.com. 

Pet photos with Santa 

Mission Valley invites pet owners to bring their furry four-legged friends to a special pet photo session with Santa Claus from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 11th. During these times, well-mannered, leashed or kenneled pets can visit with Santa in his beautifully decorated home in the AMC Theatres Court while professional photographers capture the memories as Santa and each fur baby enjoy a warm encounter. Mission Valley’s Santa encounter will be open for people without pets during these times as well. Professional photo packages range from $39.99 to $49.99. To reduce overall wait times, families are strongly encouraged to make a reservation in advance of their visit. While strongly encouraged, a reservation is not required, and walk-up visits will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Guests making an advance reservation will receive a free personalized phone call from Santa before their visit. To see Santa’s availability or reserve a photo session, visit https://bit.ly/492zdLe.

Hanukkah under the Stars 

Mission Valley, an open-air shopping center located in San Diego, California (https://www.mission-valley.com), together with Chabad of Downtown, invites the community to a special “Hanukkah Under the Stars” event on Tuesday, December 12th, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The menorah lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Throughout the event, guests will enjoy live acoustic entertainment, strolling magicians, and photo opportunities with the center’s menorah display. Attendees will also have an opportunity to sample sweets from Mission Valley eateries (while supplies last). Guests who donate $5 to Toys for Tots will be invited to try their hand at the center’s spin-to-win prize wheel for a chance to win gift cards to local Mission Valley retailers. This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited, and pre-registration is required; to pre-register, visit https://www.mission-valley.com/events. 

Events at Mission Valley library 

Each of these events are located at Mission Valley Branch Library
2123 Fenton Parkway
San Diego, CA 92108

Call 858-573-5007 for more information. 

All San Diego Public Libraries will be CLOSED on Sunday, December 24th, Monday, December 25th, and Sunday, December 31st. 

Body Dynamics by San Diego Continuing Education
This class provides students with an understanding of the Breath-Mind-Body dynamic and its relationship to health and wellness during the aging process. Students learn breathing techniques for self-care, mental resilience, and physical relaxation as they age. Please wear flat supportive shoes and loose, comfortable clothing. Adults are welcome to join on Mondays, Dec. 4 and 11 as well as Friday, Dec. 8 from 1-2:30 p.m.

Meditation for a Happy Life
Learn and practice meditation, improve harmony at home and at work, and build your wisdom and inner peace.  This secular and modern approach to traditional Buddhist teachings is led by Ashley Davis, co-founder of The Center for Harmonious Living. Adults are welcome at this class on Mondays, Dec. 4, 11, and 18 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Chess Club
Have you always wanted to learn how to play chess or improve your skills? If you have never played before, or are just looking for someone to practice with, join us for some friendly competition!  All supplies are provided. Elementary school-aged children through adults are welcome to join on each Tuesday from 4-5 p.m.

OASIS presents:  Polar Opposites? Iceland, Greenland and Antarctica
Description:  From geysers to glaciers, penguins to puffins, ice flows to icebergs and hot springs for home heating, discover in what ways Arctic Iceland and Greenland differ from and are similar to each other and to Antarctica. Teacher and author Linda Hawley will compare and contrast these incredible landscapes and the people and wildlife that call them home.  This event is free and open to the public, and there is no need to preregister. This event on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 1-2:30 p.m. is for adults and seniors.  

Mission Valley Friends of the Library Monthly Meeting
Come learn about how the Mission Valley Friends of the Library support our mission!  This meeting is both in-person and on Zoom.  If you would like a Zoom link so that you can participate, please email [email protected]. Children are welcome but this event is recommended for adults. The meeting takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 11:30 a.m. 

Toddler and Preschool Storytime
Recommended for ages 2-5, this storytime program includes books, songs, games, and early literacy fun! Visit the community room on December 7 and/or 14 at 10:30 a.m. to join. 

Yang Style Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance
Yang Style Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance is a 10-step form that does not require memorization and can be performed seated. This class emphasizes improving breath, mind, and body co-ordination/function to prevent falls while increasing safety in activities of daily living. Wear flat supportive shoes and loose comfortable clothing. The class for adults is available every Thursday at 12 p.m. and Mondays, December 4, 11, and 18 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

De-schooling Your Mind:  How to Create Unique Homeschool Learning for Your Child
 Homeschooling may conjure images of a parent sitting next to a child at the kitchen table, recreating the classroom setting using a textbook at home. But this is only one way to homeschool. If you’d like to learn other ways to engage your child and how to create a unique educational experience tailored to your child’s interests, come to this presentation. You’ll learn ways to break away (with purpose) from the traditional mold of classroom education, focusing on creativity, flexibility, and play.  This event on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. is free and open to the public, and there is no need to pre-register.
Light up the Holidays:  Family Winter Celebration
Celebrate the winter season with crafts, games, and cookie decorating in honor of Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice. Enjoy the season of light and love; all ages welcome on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 2-3:30 p.m. 

Preschool Storybox Storytime
 Join us for a Japanese storytelling tradition called kamishibai (kami = paper; shibai = theater). A storyteller stands behind a little wooden theater, also known as a storybox, and reveals a series of illustrations that tell a tale. Ages 3-5 are welcome to join on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. 

Miscellaneous events  

Food drive at March and Ash

It’s the season for giving and March and Ash, San Diego’s most well-known cannabis dispensary is hosting a Holiday Food Drive to help those in the local community who face food insecurity. 

March and Ash is collecting non-perishable items, from December 1st – December 17th, inside their stores.  

March and Ash’s Mission Valley and Imperial Beach locations will be collecting for Feeding San Diego, a local organization on a mission to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. Those who donate 5+ items will receive a 15% discount on an in-store purchase that day. 

Mission Valley is located at 2835 Camino del Rio South, open daily from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

Visit Mission Valley artist’s painting at Liberty Station 

Lucas Smith, an artist and resident of Mission Valley, San Diego, California, has won the Best of Miniatures award in the December 2023 San Diego Watercolor Society (SDWS) Member’s exhibition “Luminous Spaces”, an in-gallery show of the SDWS at 2825 Dewey Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, CA. Smith’s painting titled “Nature’s Spotlight” was selected by prominent local artist and juror Chuck McPherson for this honor, out of 223 paintings. McPherson commented, “The format is unusual, the textural surface is evocative. The value range is very strong. It has the best qualities of abstract painting. I also like the fact that it is done very loosely, like he already had somewhere else to create.” 

Lucas Smith is an emerging artist on the local scene in San Diego. Relocating from St. Louis, MO in 2021, Lucas brings a new vision to abstractionism inspired by exploration of his new community. Find more of his work at https://lucassmithart.com/home 

The SDWS Gallery Exhibit will run through Saturday December 25, 2023 at the SDWS gallery at 2528 Dewey Road in Liberty Station and is free to the public. Paintings can be viewed and purchased directly from the gallery, and are also available to view and purchase on the SDWS website at https://www.sdws.org/galleryart.php?cat=7038. 

Specialty cocktails at Tommy Bahamas 

Tommy Bahamas Marlin Bar has a special holiday menu through Dec. 31. Visit the store inside Fashion Valley at 7007 Friars Road #305 to try this year’s new entry: The Partridge & Pear that brings a cheerful vibe with the perfect blend of holiday flavors, centered around Tommy Bahama’s house made syrups. In this case, a rich cinnamon syrup is paired with smooth pear puree and complimented by gin & pear liqueur. The other two signature cocktails are returnees – the Huladays and Island Eggnog Martini. These signature cocktails brighten up the best time of the year — the refreshing Huladays combines sparkling Prosecco with a carmel-y aged rum and a touch of tang from bright cranberry and zesty lemon, while the smooth Island Eggnog Martini (formerly the Coconut Eggnog Martini) brings a coconuty twist to Holiday eggnog with the right amount of delicious coconut rum and coconut milk.   

Santa photo experience at Fashion Valley 

Simon® is pleased to announce Santa visits for families as part of the Simon Santa Photo Experience at Fashion Valley Mall will be available until Christmas Eve. 

This season, enjoy a personalized,15-minute, extended visit with Santa. Reservations for this elevated photo session are available for a limited time only, from November 10th through December 8th. For more details, including times and dates for extended Santa experiences click here. Traditional photo packages are also available.  

The Santa Photo Experience will be open on Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 to 6 p.m. All dates and times are subject to change, please check the website for daily updates. Reservations are encouraged. Make Santa reservations today by clicking here. 

Navajo club for Republican women’s Christmas party  

‘Navajo Canyon Christmas and Holiday Party’ will be held at the Republican  Women of California, Navajo Canyon Club on December 12th, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ginny Wisley’s home. Guests are asked to be bring a savory snack and a toy for the children’s toy drive. 

The 2024 board members of the RWCNC club will be installed. 

Check out the website www.rwcnavajocanyon.org for information concerning registration and address for the party by Dec. 7th or before.  

To find out more about the club or to become a member, please visit www.rwcnavajocanyon.org. 

Toy distribution at Home Start’s headquarters 

Home Start, a local nonprofit committed to helping San Diego’s most underserved and vulnerable, is bringing cheer to local families in need during the holiday season by partnering with One Paseo for its annual holiday toy drive. The toy drive runs now until December 13 at One Paseo (3725 Paseo Place, Carmel Valley, 92130).    

Once the toy drive wraps up, One Paseo’s trolley will transform into a gifting sleigh. Decked out with festive decor and filled with gifts collected from the community, Santa and team will drive the trolley down to Home Start’s Mission Valley headquarters parking lot.  The toys will go to local families Home Start has worked with throughout the year to provide life-changing services including housing, parenting education, and therapy.  Home Start serves children from infants to age 18, and One Paseo’s goal is to provide the Home Start team with hundreds of new, unwrapped gifts.   

For more information about the Toy Drive, please visit https://www.onepaseo.com/events/home-start-toy-drive/. To learn more about Home Start, visit https://home-start.org/.