San Diego Holiday Guide
Celebrate this holiday season in San Diego with events, theater, dining and special festivities at the county’s most famed attractions.
EVENTS
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Dec. 16. San Diego Bay will twinkle like never before as more than 100 private boats will be garnished with holiday lights for a night on the water. This year, boats are dressed to fit the USS Santa Claus theme. There’s still time to enter—each participant will be entered for a chance to win a grand prize package worth more than $4,000. 5:30-9 p.m. Visible from downtown, Coronado, Embarcadero and Seaport Village. 619.224.2240. sdparadeoflights.org
Skating by the Sea
Through Jan. 5. Ice-skating on the sand? Almost! Hotel Del Coronado brings back Skating by the Sea for an eighth season of outdoor seaside ice-skating. The oceanfront Windsor Lawn will be transformed into a spectacular ice rink with skating sessions offered daily. New for 2012, purchase tickets in advance and avoid waiting in line at the skate shack. $20-25/pp, $15-20 for kids ages 10 and under. Price includes skate rentals. Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 800.468.3533. hoteldel.com/holidays.aspx#1
Deck The Halls
Dec. 20-22. A holiday event for the whole family, Deck the Halls is a series of special evenings filled with fine dining, a special children’s menu and fantastic live performances by the Anthology’s renowned nine-member house band. 7 p.m. 1337 India St., Little Italy. 619.595.0300. anthologysd.com
Holiday in the Park
Dec. 15-16. See Old Town State Historic Park decked out for the holidays with extended shopping hours, strolling carolers and special holiday treats. On Sunday, celebrate the 62nd year of Las Posadas—a centuries-old tradition in which actors reenact the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph through the town of Bethlehem. Old Town State Historic Park, San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street. 619.220.5422. oldtownsandiegoguide.com/events.html
Christmas in the Village
Dec. 14-15. Visit the village of La Mesa for back-to-back evenings of lively street performances, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers and entertainment for the whole family. The village will be transformed into a Victorian wonderland complete with Santa, carnival rides, ponies and puppet shows. A holiday parade kicks off each night at 5 p.m. 5-10 p.m. La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa. lmvma.com
THEATRE
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Through Dec. 29. Everyone’s favorite winter fable is back at the Old Globe for its 15th incredible year. See the famed Dr. Seuss book come to life with family friendly songs such as “This Time of Year,” “Santa for a Day” and “Fah Who Doraze,” the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. 619.234.5623.theoldglobe.org
The Nutcracker
Dec. 16 & 21. The classic holiday ballet about a young girl who dreams of a nutcracker prince comes to life this season with a cast of more than 100 beautifully costumed dancers reveling in Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Whether you’re seeing the leaping cossacks, flurries of snowflakes and dancing sugarplum fairies for the first time or the hundredth time, this classic ballet will bring magic to your holiday season. Mandeville Auditorium, UCSD, La Jolla. 619.294.7311. sandiegoballet.org
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Dec. 13-23. If a Christmas card could come to life, it would sound like White Christmas by the San Diego Musical Theatre. Based on the movie of the same name, this enchanting musical tells the story of two veterans who have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, they follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by their former army commander. Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., North Park. 619.239.8836. birchnorthparktheatre.net
An American Christmas
Dec. 17-26. Experience dinner theater like never before as you step inside Hotel Del’s gorgeous ballroom and travel back 100 years for this one-of-a-kind Christmas feast and celebration. The three-hour evening is filled with music, dance, story, song and laughter, all woven throughout a delectable 5-course holiday meal. Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619.435.6611. lambsplayers.org
Festival of Christmas—Christmas on my Mind
Through Dec. 30. A diverse group of travelers stranded by an unexpected snowstorm make their way to a cabin in the woods and create a celebration by sharing music and stories in this fun and refreshing musical that blends original and traditional songs. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave, Coronado. 619.437.6000. lambsplayers.org
ATTRACTIONS
Legoland Holiday Snow Days
Through Dec. 31. Snow in SoCal is possible with Holiday Snow Days at Legoland. Build snowmen adorned with Lego accessories, throw snowballs at targets and revel in Carlsbad’s very own winter wonderland. Spend time with Lego Santa and his little helpers, catch holiday performances by the Big Test Holidays, Let it Snow, Brickettes, Jingle Jammers and more, and see the nightly lighting of the world’s largest Lego Christmas tree. 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. 760.918.5346. california.legoland.com/holidaysnowdays
Fisher-Price Little People Live! Holiday Show
Dec. 15-16. Fisher-Price has created the perfect holiday celebration for kids of all ages. The Little People friends have big plans for celebrating the holidays this year, including a live musical show filled with singing, dancing and plenty of surprises. No matter what holiday you celebrate, you’ll have a great time with Eddie, Sonya Lee and Michael as they share the joys of friendship and discover the true meaning of holiday spirit. San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park. 619.231.1515. fisher-price.com
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Through Dec. 31. Santa, Shamu and snow are just some of the sights to see during the holidays at SeaWorld. Christmas fills the air, the Skytower sparkles after dark and special holiday shows such as Clyde & Seamore Save Christmas, The Polar Express 4-D Experience and the Christmas Tails pet show are a must see. 500 SeaWorld Drive, Pacific Beach. 800.257.4268. seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-sandiego/Christmas/Learn-More
Jungle Bells
Through Jan. 6. Join the celebration as the world-famous San Diego Zoo transforms into a wild, wintery wonderland full of music, lights, treats and, of course, animal encounters. Ride the Elf Express, the Zoo’s miniature train, which will be all decked out and ready to transport kids and adults around the holiday-lit track, see the nightly tree lighting ceremony and maybe even get caught in a snow flurry at the Zoo’s front entrance! San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park. 619.231.1515. sandiegozoo.org
DINING
Bertrand at Mister A’s
Dec. 24-25. Bertrand at Mister A’s is offering two special dinners for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Skip the cooking this year, and let the experts serve up a three-course prix fixe dinner specially crafted for the holiday season. $75/pp. Dec. 24 from 4:30-9 p.m. $59.50/pp. Dec. 25 from 12:30-9 p.m. 2550 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor,
San Diego. 619.239.1377. bertrandatmisteras.com
Mille Fleurs
Dec. 24-25. Chef de Cuisine Martin Woesle’s creations, locally sourced whenever possible, are available with a special holiday twist this Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The a la carte menu includes starters such as Jerusalem artichoke soup, duck liver pate and duck prosciutto, and main courses such as white Dover sole “Meunière,” Maple Leaf Farm duck breast and Cedar Creek beef filet in cabernet sauce with a bleu cheese tart. Dec. 24 from 4:30-9 p.m. Dec. 25 from 1-7:30 p.m 6009 Paseo Delicias
Rancho Santa Fe. 858.756.3085. millefleurs.com
Hornblower Cruises
Through Dec. 31. Dine aboard a Hornblower yacht this December with a three-hour, three-course dinner cruise. Cruises sail every Sunday through Thursday in December. Hornblower Cruises & Events also offers three cruises on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. See the lights all around San Diego Bay with a Christmas Eve champagne brunch cruise or dinner buffet, or a Christmas Day dinner cruise. Board at Hornblower Landing at Grape Street Pier, 1800 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. 619.686.8715. hornblower.com
