Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Dec. 27 to Sunday, Dec. 29.
Friday
Related links:
2024 Holiday Bowl guide: Events, transportation info, and how to watch San Diego’s football bash
Family Hanukkah Party: Congregation B’nai Tikvah will hold its annual community Hanukkah Party and Latke Contest 6:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Masonic Center in Escondido. There will be latkes and donuts for dinner. Bring your menorah to light candles and sing Hanukkah songs with Cantor Larry Kornit for the third night of Hanukkah. Free. Bring something dairy to share at the party and non-perishable food for Interfaith Community Services along with gently used coats, hoodies, shirts to donate to Sharia’s Closet that provides emergency clothing in the San Diego State area. For more information, call 760-650-2262 or visit bnaitikvahsd.org.
Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk: The first event on game day for the Holiday Bowl is the 29th annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk on Friday starting at 9:45 a.m. The 5K course starts at Ash Street. Participants will travel south on Harbor Drive. 5K participants get a finishers medal and awards for those who finish at the top of their age division. To register for the 5K, visit holidaybowl.com/5k-walk-run.
Holiday Bowl parade: The Holiday Bowl Parade on Friday at 10 a.m. The parade highlights the Washington State and Syracuse marching bands, drill teams and various floats with extra-large balloons. More than 100,000 observers are anticipated by parade organizers. Street viewing is open to the public for free, and grandstand tickets can be purchased for $30 at holidaybowl.com/holiday-bowl-parade.
Holiday Bowl: Snapdragon Stadium will host the Holiday Bowl for the first time. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday.The Holiday Bowl festivities conclude with the KGB Sky Show at the end of the game. Game tickets start at $60.30 and can be purchased at holidaybowl.com through Ticketmaster.
Jim Brickman – ‘Comfort and Joy’: This pop and classical composer and pianist, famed for his Christmas music, will perform a holiday concert with guest vocalists at the Balboa Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Friday. 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $45-$68. ticketmaster.com
Pop-up roller rink: Ups-N-Downtown Escondido Roller Rink is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 28 at Grand Avenue west of Juniper in downtown Escondido. The temporary 50-by-100-foot rink is in the middle of the street on Grand Avenue and is open to everyone from seasoned skaters to first-timers. Roller Rink fee is $5 and skate rental is $5. Visit downtownescondido.com/events.
Holiday Market at Petco Park: Holiday Market at Petco Park is held on select nights featuring Christmas lighting displays, photo opportunities with Santa and holiday characters and live reindeer along with a 40-foot Christmas tree, grand carousel and Christmas train for kids to ride through Gallagher Square. There will also be live entertainment on the Sycuan Stage during certain nights. Handcrafted holiday gifts will be sold at the artisanal vendors at the market. There will be cider and mulled wine along with shortbread and seasonal treats. Tickets start at $12 for kids and $15 for adults, depending on the date and time slot selected. Kids have access to the all-new playground and play area, and snow zone. 4 to 10 p.m. Friday. Tickets are at padres.com/holidaymarket.
“The Illusionists’ Magic of the Holidays’: Broadway San Diego presents this touring magic show produced by Montreal’s Cirque du Soleil. The show featres five master illusionists, Chris Cox, Pablo Canovas, Kevin James, James More and David Williamson. 7:30 p.m. Friday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $46-$166. sandiegotheatres.org
“R-E-S-P-E-C-T-F-U-L-L-Y Christmas”: Lamb’s Players Theatre presents the final performances of this popular 2023 holiday show of Christmas songs and carols featuring cast members from two past Lamb’s hit shows: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” and “Million Dollar Quartet.” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $38-$96. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
“2 Pianos 4 Hands”: North Coast Repertory Theatre presents the return of this 1996 comedy with music about two men telling the stories of their lifelong love-hate relationship with the piano, featuring more than 20 pieces of classical, pop and jazz music. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $64. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
“Winter Wonderettes”: San Diego Musical Theatre presents this holiday adaptation of Roger Bean’s all-female comedy “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” In this version, the women’s quartet are pressed into service to create a holiday show after Santa turns up missing. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. SDMT Stage, 4650 Mercury St., San Diego. $30 and up. 858-560-5740, sdmt.org
Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse: A Frozen Fun Zone, a “Polar Express”-inspired train ride, holiday lights, igloos and s’mores by the fire are among the attractions on weekends through Dec. 29 at Lakehouse San Marcos, 1025 La Bonita Drive. Entry tickets are $5 per person over 10 and free for hotel guests. Food, drinks and additional tickets for certain attractions will be sold. Visit thelakehouseresort.com.
Holiday Oasis: The Hillcrest area restaurant, insideOUT is introducing its Holiday Oasis Experience seasonal event. The public can partake in 14 holiday-themed cocktails such as the $17 “Chai-lent Night,” which contains bourbon, honey, chai tea and orange juice, and the $18 “Mele Kaliki-Tiki,” which includes tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, allspice liqueur and falernum syrup. The venue is decorated with holiday lights and Christmas trees. Now through Jan. 5. 1642 University Ave. #100, San Diego. 619-888-8623, insideoutsd.com
Cutwater Winter Lodge: There’s an opportunity to taste Cutwater’s holiday drinks at its distillery in Miramar. The Cutwater Winter Lodge will introduce seasonal cocktails, a hot chocolate bar and photo opportunities with a branded gondola. Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. 9750 Distribution Ave., San Diego. 858-672-3848, cutwaterspirits.com/tasting-room
Santa’s Lair: Parq Night Club is transforming its underground room into a Christmas-themed cocktail bar on select dates in November and December. Santa’s Lair will be a North Pole-decorated speakeasy with holiday cocktails and small food bites. Guests can also take a photo with Santa Claus. Nov. 22, 24 and 30. Dec. 1, 5, 6, 8, 13-15, 19-22 and 26-29. 615 Broadway, San Diego. $14-$30. santaslairsd.com
Jingle Bar San Diego: The Christmas pop-up Jingle Bar is arriving in San Diego at Bang on 5th. The Asian fusion restaurant and bar is converting into a Christmas wonderland with holiday-themed cocktails, games, music and Christmas decorations. There will also be a best-dressed contests and gifts for the winners. Dec. 1-29. 762 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $15.62. 619-677-5650, events.thejinglebars.com/events/jinglebar/1438371
Saturday
‘All That Jazz’ at Hotel del Coronado: The Norfolk Island Pines on the Hotel del Coronado’s Founders Lawn are the centerpiece of the “All That Jazz” light show. From 5 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 5., the Hotel del Coronado gives the public a free holiday light show that is synchronized with jazz music. There will also be a hotel duplicate 12-foot-tall red turret with holiday lights, a bar and lounge seating. The free light show is 10 minutes long and occurs every 30 minutes. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com/events/at-first-light-lightshow-spectacular
Lights at the Lakes: The Santee Lakes Campground will turn into a holiday light show Dec. 1-31 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Lights at the Lakes is a free event that allows registered campground guests to walk or drive their golf court to see the light displays. 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee. 619-596-3141, santeelakes.com/event/lights-at-the-lakes-campground-edition
Hanukkah Festival: Seaport Village is partnering with the Chabads of Downtown San Diego to host family-friendly Hanukkah festivities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 28 in the lighthouse district, including live music, festive performers and the traditional lighting of the menorah. Visit seaportvillage.com/events/hanukkah-festival-2024.
Community square dance: Sandpipers Square Dance Club has Community Dances from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 28 at St. James Parish Hall, 625 S. Nardo Ave. The monthly event introduces square dancing. Singles, couples and families are welcome. Wear casual attire; refreshments will be offered. A partner and dance experience are not needed. Donation: $10; free for children. The dances are supported by city of Solana Beach. Visit sandpiperssquaredanceclub.org.
San Diego International Car Show: See new vehicles, electric cars, and even test drive a variety of vehicles. On Sunday, kids ages 12 and under can attend for free on Family Day. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Free for kids ages 6 and under, $12 for ages 7 to 12, $15 for active duty military and seniors, $18 for adults. San Diego Convention Center, 111 E. Harbor Drive. sdautoshow.com
Sunday
Hanukkah Celebration: Chabad La Costa hosts a lighting of the menorah from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at The Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.
Fields of Light: An intergenerational Hanukkah Celebration is from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 29 on the fifth night of Hanukkah at Coastal Roots Farm to honor the holiday’s spirit of resilience and hope and to inspire the community to spread light. Highlights include live music, traditional Hanukkah games, illuminated garden and delicacies to share. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children. Tickets are limited. Preregistration required. Visit coastalrootsfarm.org/event/field-of-light-a-chanukah-celebration.
Game Night: On Dec. 29, the Chabad hosts a Game Night for all ages at 4:30 p.m. at Chabad of Oceanside/Vista. There will be crafts, games, doughnut decorating and latkes and lighting of the menorahs. Bring your menorah to light and a favorite game you would like to play or join in a game provided. RSVP for game night at jewishoceanside.com/gamenight.