The year may be winding down, but our calendar missed the memo. November has tons of fabulous events to look forward including Bing Crosby Season in Del Mar, San Diego Beer Week, food festivals, ice skating and theater.
Bing Crosby Season at Del Mar Races
Through Nov. 29. The Del Mar Races welcomes Bing Crosby Season to the track for a five-week stand with an old-school vibe. The season will feature “Free and Easy Sundays,” “Bing+Bubbles+Brunch,” Reggae Fest, Craft Beer & Cider Festival and more. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, dmtc.com
Old Town Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Nov. 1-2. Tour more than 40 traditional altars set up in museums and shops, enjoy art-making activities and participate in a candlelight procession to the cemetery (night of Nov. 2) at this colorful celebration honoring those who have died. Old Town, 619.297.9327. dayofthedeadsd.com
San Diego Asian Film Festival
Nov. 5-14. The 16th annual event includes over 130 feature films, shorts and animation from Asian artists worldwide. Various venues, including UltraStar Cinemas Mission Valley, 7519 Hazard Center Drive, Mission Valley, 619.400.5911. pacarts.org
San Diego Beer Week
Nov. 6-15. Celebrate the art of craft beers during this annual event, featuring more than 50 local breweries and a lineup of tastings, festivals, brewery tours, cheese pairings and beer dinners. Various locations. sdbw.org
San Diego Mac N’ Cheese Festival
Nov. 7. For those who love gourmet comfort foods, the inaugural Mac N’ Cheese Festival will showcase craft beer, wine, music and more, paired alongside the popular noodles from 10 San Diego restaurants. Judges and attendees select their favorites and crown the best court mac ‘n’ cheese in San Diego and the people’s choice award. $35/pp. Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Coast Hwy., San Diego Marina. sandiegomacncheese.com
The Wedge Escondido
Nov. 7. Enjoy the 5th annual Wedge Artisanal Cheese Festival in downtown Escondido as thirteen downtown businesses and eight Grand Ave. restaurants offer cheese-forward samples, craft brews and wines. Tickets include 21 samplings of artisanal cheeses, 15+ beer and wine pairings and buskers performances along Grand Ave. $35/pp. 1-5 p.m. Start at Maple St. Plaza, Escondido, 760.580.7158. wedgeescondido.com
Bikes, Brews & Brats
Nov. 7. Green Flash Brewing Company hosts the third annual Bikes, Brews and Brats as part of San Diego Beer Week. Participants will burn calories before imbibing at the after-party. The ride starts at Cal Coast Cycles then weaves through Florida Canyon and Balboa Park before finishing at the Regal Beagle to enjoy brews from Green Flash Brewing Co. 3020 Cal Coast Cycles, North Park. eventbrite.com
Fall Back Festival
Nov. 8. Fall back in time at the Fall Back Festival where the whole family can enjoy free and fun activities like gold mining, pony riding, butter churning and more while learning about the Gaslamp Quarter’s colorful history. Enjoy food vendors, a magician, vintage cars, and an atmosphere reminiscent of the Old West. 410 Island Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5008. gaslamp.org
San Diego Music Thing
Nov. 11-14. The annual music and media conference features panel discussions, workshops and mentoring sessions all focused on the music business. Plus, live performances by more than 150 local and national bands. Various locations. sandiegomusicthing.com
Escondido Tamale Festival
Nov. 14. Celebrate San Diego’s unique proximity to Baja and all the Latin-inspired foods that have become a staple of our culinary scene at Escondido’s inaugural Tamale Festival. Enjoy free admission, great food, entertainment, competitions and celebrity chefs. Don’t miss the chihuahua costume contest and fashion show! Grape Day Park, Escondido. escondidotamalefestival.org
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Nov. 15-22. SoCal’s largest wine and culinary event celebrates its 12th anniversary with a palate-pleasing array of festivities—including the Grand Tasting event, wine-tasting seminars and dinners, cooking classes and celebrity chefs galore. Embarcadero Marina Park North, downtown. sandiegowineclassic.com
Fantasy on Ice
Nov. 19-Jan. 3. The 18th annual Fantasy on Ice presented by Sycuan moves to a new location at NTC Arts & Culture District, the historic core of Liberty Station. The ice skating rink will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week through the holiday season. Admission is $14/pp and includes skate rentals. 2640 Historic Decatur Rd., Liberty Station, 619.222.1970. fantasyonicesd.com
Mother Goose Parade
Nov. 21. The 69th annual parade offers free family fun to start the holiday season, showcasing whimsical floats, clowns, bands and equestrians. Route begins on Main St. and Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, mgpelcajon.com
San Diego Jazz Festival
Nov. 25-29. The 36th annual event features live performances by international artists representing a wide variety of traditional jazz, Dixieland, ragtime, swing and rockabilly styles. Town and Country Resort & Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle North, Mission Valley. sdjazzfest.org
Skating by the Sea
Nov. 27-Jan. 4. Ice skate seaside on the Windsor Lawn at the Hotel del Coronado. The Del’s iconic Victorian building twinkles with white lights while the rink is abuzz with music, beautiful views and hot chocolate and libations for onlookers. $25/pp. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com
THEATER | PERFORMANCE
Annie
Nov. 3-8. This new production of the beloved musical features such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and “Tomorrow.” Broadway/San Diego, Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Nov. 7-Dec. 26. For spirited kids young and old, experience this annual holiday production of a Dr. Seuss classic. Shiley Stage at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
The Oldest Boy
Nov. 12-Dec. 6. Two parents decide whether their 3-year-old son—believed to be the reincarnation of a high Buddhist teacher—should move to India to train as a Buddhist master in this meditation on love and letting go. San Diego Rep, Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 619.544.1000. sdrep.org
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Film Screening with San Diego Symphony
Nov. 13. The whole family will enjoy the screening of the classic film E.T. The ExtraTerrestrial as the score is performed by the live orchestra of the San Diego Symphony. sandiegosymphony.org
Indecent
Nov. 13-Dec. 10. A world-premiere play with music inspired by the true events surrounding the controversial 1922 Broadway debut of God of Vengeance. Mandell Weiss Theatre at the La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Nov. 24-29. The smash hit Broadway musical based on the Academy Award-winning animated film features dazzling production numbers, including “Be Our Guest” and the beloved title song. Broadway/San Diego, Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown, 619.570.1100. sandiegotheatres.org
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Nov. 27-Dec. 6. San Diego Musical Theatre tells the beloved story as it comes to the stage featuring 17 Irving Berlin songs. Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II.With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown, 858.560.5740. sdmt.org
