December Nights starts off holiday season Dec. 3 BALBOA PARK — December Nights — Balboa Park’s two-day festival of lights, music, theatrical entertainment, food and free admission to participating museums — is back this year to kick off the holiday season. San Diego’s largest free community festival will take place Friday, Dec. 3 from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 4 from noon to 10 p.m. Participating museums will open their doors free of charge from 5 to 9 p.m. on both evenings. Some new features at the festival this year include Cohn Restaurant Group’s Chop Soo-ey food truck, the inaugural Winter Coat Drive hosted by San Diego Padres pitcher Chris Young, and a free iPhone application that allows visitors to easily navigate their way through the 1,200-acre park. Free shuttle service is available from Petco Park, the County Administration Building north lot and City College lots. The shuttle will run from 4:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. The last shuttle leaves all sites at 8:45 p.m. and the last shuttle from the park leaves at 10:45 p.m. Children’s activities are featured all around the park, including Reuben H. Fleet’s interactive “Kid City,” popcorn and a photo opportunity with The Grinch at The Old Globe, and the annual LEGO train exhibit at the Model Railroad Museum. A three-minute holiday ride on Santa’s Express Miniature Railroad and Skyfari aerial tram ride gives everyone in the family a chance to rest their tired feet while enjoying views of Balboa Park and downtown. Santa’s Railroad and the Skyfari tram are located near the San Diego Zoo exit. The cost is $2 for a ride on Santa’s Railroad and $4 for the Skyfari tram. The light display that covers the center of the Plaza de Panama is one of the highlights that visitors return to see year after year. In addition, SDG&E will illuminate the park with energy-efficient LED lights to create a canopy over the plaza. For more information, visit www.balboapark.org or call (619) 239-0512. — Mariko Lamb
‘Man in red’ celebrates 25th year as parade’s main attraction LA JOLLA — It’s time for the kids to get their lists ready. For his 25th year as the jolly star of the La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival, Santa’s once again headlining Sunday’s parade, a spectacle that attracts thousands to the village’s sidewalks each year. More than 1,200 will participate in the parade, from marching bands to drill teams to Scout troops. There will be youth marshals and lifeguards, floats and streetcars. The Old Globe Theatre’s “Grinch” will also make an appearance. La Jolla Town Council parade organizer Ann Kerr Bache, who has steered the event for 13 years, said there are 12 equestrians registered to participate, as well as possibly two camels — one named “Alibaba” — as part of the La Jolla Presbyterian Church’s live nativity. The church is also hosting a free cookie-baking event in its courtyard after the parade. Annette Buis, a La Jollan who has been helping with the parade for 20 years, crafted the ocean-themed artwork that can be seen on parade posters all around the village. Street closures are huge on the day of the parade. Last year Bache said at least 34 cars were towed. For a complete list of closures, participants, events and a map, see the La Jolla Town Council’s parade program inside. — Claire Harlin
24-hour run benefits children MISSION BAY — Trot for Tots will begin Saturday, Dec. 4 at 9 a.m. and run through Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. The race will take place at Hospitality Point in Mission Bay Park, 2544 Quivira Court. This 24-hour event offers day and nights 10Ks, day and night half marathons, day and night marathons, day and night 12-hour and a 24 hour run. San Diego Fire Rescue lifeguards will be among some of the participants in this unique race that will raise money for Rady Children’s Hospital. Entries fees range from $35-$250. For more information visit www.sunburntathletics.com. Volunteers to help least terns MISSION BAY — The San Diego Audubon Society will invite volunteers join its efforts to maintain a nesting site for endangered California least terns at Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay Park on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will help clear invasive plants to prepare for the birds to nest in the spring. Snacks and water will be provided. Volunteers under ages 17 and younger must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian to participate. For more information, call Danielle Heckman at (858) 273-7800 ext. 104. Tree Lighting in Little Italy LITTLE ITALY — Little Italy will present its annual tree-lighting event at the Piazza Natale, corner of India and Date streets, on Dec. 4 from 4 to 7 p.m. Santa Claus will arrive at 4 p.m. The lighting ceremony will take place from 6:15 to 7 p.m. and be preceded by shopping in the Little Italy Mercato Farmer’s Market Christmas Village, which will open at 3 p.m. www.littleitalysd.com. Home Tour to benefit charity POINT LOMA — Saturday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the 58th year of the All Souls’ Saint Nicholas Home Tour — considered the “grand dame” of home tours as the oldest of its kind west of the Mississippi. The showcase includes four Point Loma homes, including that of iconic singer Frankie Laine, architect Homer Delawie, the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Wertz and “Casa Marrero,” the home of Mr. and Mrs. Guillermo Marrero. Advance tickets for the event are available for $25 from the church, located at 1474 Catalina Blvd., or Cottage Antiques, located at 4873 Newport Ave. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event for $30 from the church. Proceeds benefit outreach programs like the Peninsula Shepherd Senor Center and Mercy Care Center in Kenya. For tickets or information, call (619) 223-6394, or visit www.allsoulshometour.org. Modeling school holds internationally-inspired gala DOWNTOWN — The San Diego Modeling Training Center (MTC) will host its second anniversary gala art and fashion show Dec. 4 at the Horton Plaza events space, Horton 97, 324 Horton Plaza. MTC trains hopeful models for fashion and acting-related work. Headquartered in Hillcrest, the school provides hands-on experience with photo shoots, red carpet events and interaction with industry professionals. Its graduates have appeared on magazine covers and gained runway work on the program “America’s Next Top Model,” according to a statement by Karla Mena, MTC president. The highlight of the anniversary celebration will be when Cristina Pineda of the Pineda Covalin Design House showcases many pieces from her native Mexican company, beginning at 8 p.m. The work she will bring with her represents the culture and history of Mexico. Local designers and artists will also be displaying their work throughout the day. There will be free admission for the public to the shopping portion of the day from noon to 5 p.m. Shoppers can peruse and purchase everything from clothing to art. The red-carpet portion of the gala event will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets for the gala cost $25 for each regular admission or $50 for VIP admission. To purchase tickets, call (619) 220-8770 or visit www.mtceventssd.com. — Debbie Hatch
FRIDAY, DEC. 3
Ocean Beach/Point Loma • “The Cider Celebration,” 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Point Loma Nazarene University, Crill Performance Hall, 3900 Lomaland Drive, Christmas show, featuring the PLNU concert choir, Chorals and Extol, for tickets, call (619) 849-2325, or visit www.pointloma.edu/music/events, $8 Downtown • Santa Claus will arrive at the Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 First St., Coronado, aboard the San Diego Harbor Excursion Ferry from downtown at 3:20 p.m.; event includes live music and refreshments at the landing from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.coronadoferrylanding.com • December Nights, 5 to 9 p.m., throughout Balboa Park, holiday celebration, museums will be open to the public and will offer free admission. For more information, call (619) 239-0512 or visit www.balboapark.org La Jolla • First Friday Event, “Existential Balance,” 6 p.m., Monarch Gallery, 1205 Prospect St. Suite A, artist reception and exhibition, (858) 454-1231, [email protected], RSVP requested, free • “Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,” presented by the San Diego Junior Theatre, 7 p.m., La Jolla YMCA Firehouse, 7877 Herschel Ave., (619) 239-8355, www.juniortheatre.com, performances run through Dec. 19, $11-$14 SATURDAY, DEC. 4
Ocean Beach/Point Loma • Point Loma Artists Association Holiday Art Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3636 Curtis St., featuring 20 artists from the Peninsula, art and refreshments and plenty of holiday gift-giving ideas. For more information, call (619) 223-6326, or visit www.pointlomaartsists.com, free • Holiday Tree Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Silver Gate Elementary School, grand fir and noble trees ranging in height from 4-foot- to 9-feet-tall, proceeds benefit The Friends of Silver Gate Foundation, a nonprofit organization that financially supports the school’s enrichment programs. For more information, call (619) 954-4242, or download a form at www.silvergateschool.com • Fun Zone, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Ocean Beach Pier parking lot, featuring music, skateboard exhibitions and competitions, carnival games, food and fun — all leading up to the community Christmas parade at 5:05 p.m. At 7 p.m., after the parade, the music begins anew, with more skateboarding and carnival games. For more information, call (619) 515-4400, or visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com • Holiday Skate Jam, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Ocean Beach Surf & Skate hosts in the Ocean Beach Pier parking lot, open skate takes place from 10 a.m to 1 p.m., with skate contests from 1 to 4 p.m. and open skate from 7 to 9 p.m., entry forms are available at the shop, 4976 Newport Ave. For more information, call (619) 225-0674, or visit www.obsurfandskate.com • 31st annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Parade down Newport Avenue in OB, 5:05 p.m., for more information, call (619) 515-4400, or visit www.obtowncouncil.org • Ocean Beach Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Veterans Lawn at Newport Avenue and Abbott Street. For more information, call (619) 515-4400, or visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com Downtown • December Nights, 5 to 9 p.m., throughout Balboa Park, holiday celebration, museums will be open to the public and will offer free admission. For more information, call (619) 239-0512 or visit www.balboapark.org Pacific Beach/ Mission Beach • Clean PB Day, 9 a.m. to noon, Ocean Boulevard at Grand Avenue, www.cleanpb.com • The San Diego Audubon Society invites volunteers to help maintain a nesting site for endangered California least terns at Mariner’s Point in Mission Bay Park, 9 a.m. to noon. Snacks and water provided. Volunteers under ages 17 and younger must have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Danielle Heckman, (858) 273-7800, ext. 104. • Wagging Tales, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Pacific Beach/Taylor Library, 4275 Cass St., children practice literacy skills by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs, free, (858) 581-9934 • Trot for Tots, Dec. 4 and 5 at 9 a.m. Race begins at Hospitality Point, 2544 Quivira Court, 24-hour event offers day and night 10Ks, half marathons, marathons and a 12-hour and 24-hour run, benefits Rady Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit www.sunburntathletics.com, entry fees $35-$250 La Jolla • Missa Solemnis, 8 p.m., Mandeville Auditorium, 9500 Gilman Drive, Beethoven’s masterpiece performed by the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus and conducted by Steven Schick, (858) 534-4637, $15-$29 • Family Christmas Festival, 4 p.m., University City United Church, 2877 Governor Drive, holiday festival featuring games, crafts, carols and a potluck dinner, (858) 453-3444, www.ucuc.org, free SUNDAY, DEC. 5
Ocean Beach/Point Loma • “The Messiah,” 3 p.m., Brown Chapel, 3900 Lomaland Drive, the Point Loma Nazarene University Choral Union and Orchestra, for more information, visit www.pointloma.edu/music/events, free • Point Loma Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall, 2818 Avenida de Portugal, quality homemade arts and crafts by local artisans, jewelry, knitted apparel, aprons, teddy bears, handbags, holiday décor and other items, for more information, visit http://www.SpunMonkeyDesigns.com • San Diego Dance Theater Fall Studio Showcase, 6 and 8 p.m., Dance Place San Diego, 2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 207, professionals and students in a wide array of dance styles, purchase tickets at the door or visit www.sandiegodancetheatre.org, $15 Pacific Beach/ Mission Beach • Christmas on Crystal Pier, 2-5 p.m., at the foot of Garnet Ave., Santa will arrive at 2 p.m. and the Christmas Tree will be lit at 5 p.m., www.pacificbeach.org • T.O.D.D.L.E.R.S. (Together Opportunities to Discover and Develop Literacy, Enrichment and Recreation Skills), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St., parent and toddler fun, free. Call Bill, (619) 920-1032 La Jolla • La Jolla Christmas Parade, 2 p.m., starting at corner of Girard Avenue and Kline Street, “Christmas by the Sea” parade and holiday festival, free • 27th Annual Jewish Community Center (JCC) Hanukkah Happening, 11 a.m., Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (Jacobs Family Campus), 4126 Executive Drive, holiday celebration including carnival games, obstacle courses and a silent auction, (858) 457-3030, $2 for JCC members, $3 for non-members, children under 2 admitted free • Missa Solemnis, 8 p.m., Mandeville Auditorium, 9500 Gilman Drive, Beethoven’s masterpiece performed by the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus and conducted by Steven Schick, 858-534-4637, $15-$29 • Explore local tide pools with Birch Aquarium naturalists at Scripps, 1:30 p.m., False Point (directions to meeting place provided at time of RSVP), (858) 534-7336, http://aquarium.ucsd.edu, $12