Events

Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station
Nov. 16-Jan. 7. Skate into the season with the return of the Rady Children’s Ice Rink, located on the central promenade at the Arts District Liberty Station. All net proceeds from ice-rink admission will benefit the Thriving After Cancer program at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s. Tickets include helmet and skate rentals. Open daily 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (See website for upcoming special events such as the Liberty Station Tree Lighting on Nov. 24.) $20 adults; $15 kids (age 12 and under). 2875 Dewey Road, Liberty Station, 619.221.1970. rchicerink.org


Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado
Nov. 17-Jan. 7. This celebrated tradition returns to the Hotel del Coronado—which will be buzzing this year with myriad holiday festivities. Skating by the Sea is a uniquely San Diegan experience—a beachfront ice rink on the resort’s lawn, offering views of world-famous Coronado Beach. Guests can also reserve a spot at the rink-side Frostbite Lounge—offering holiday-themed cocktails, bites, a firepit and cozy seating. Ice-rink proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish San Diego. See website for hours and to reserve tickets. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.435.6611. hoteldel.com


Lightscape at S.D. Botanic Garden
Nov. 17-Jan. 1. Go walking in a winter wonderland at San Diego Botanic Garden, which presents the internationally acclaimed show Lightscape for a second year. The experience has been reimagined for 2023—comprising an illuminated, 1-mile walking trail around the 37-acre property, filled with light tunnels, lanterns, glowing California poppies and other immersive light installations that come to life with vibrant color and sound—plus seasonal treats and libations available for purchase along the trail. See website for hours and ticket pricing. (Wear comfy shoes!) 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, 760.436.3036. sdbg.org


Yoga at The Rady Shell
Nov. 18. Namaste by the bay on Saturday. Behold the therapeutic powers of holding a Downward Dog pose while surrounded by sea breezes and views. Presented by Fit Athletic, Yoga at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park has become a regular event—inviting yogis and novices alike for an hour-long “bootcamp yoga” session along the bayfront, led by seasoned instructor Viktoria Talbot. And the best part? Admission is free. However, space is limited; register online in advance to reserve your space. And bring your own mat and sunscreen. 9:30 a.m. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. theshell.org
Food + Drink


Friendly Feast Pop-Up Bake Sale
Nov. 19. Satisfy your sweet tooth for a good cause on Sunday. Purchase a box of six baked goods—with each item made by one of six AAIP (Asian American and Pacific Islander) San Diego chefs—filled with goodies such as mango-sticky-rice-butter mochi, turon tiramisu and spiced persimmon cake, available for pickup at Cowboy Star. Participating chefs include Jamie Decena (pictured), Ashley Papa, Faye Rodriguez, Ashley del Rosario, Kat Ordillas and Kristianna Zabala. Proceeds benefit the Friendly Feast scholarship fund and Pacific Arts Movement. 10-11:30 a.m. $45 per box. 640 10th Ave., East Village. friendlyfeast.org


Pitfire Pizza
Now Open. Offering California-style pizzas, lagoon views, a full bar and cheery-mod decor, Pitfire Pizza has opened in Carlsbad. With locations in L.A. and Orange County, the James Beard Award-nominated pizza parlor is known for its artisanal pies with seasonal ingredients and slow-rise, fermented sourdough crust; along with chef-driven salads, pastas and small plates like roasted chicken meatballs. Try the Honey Bear pizza with ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, sausage, honey, Calabrian chile and bee pollen. Su-Th 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; F-Sa 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 7720 El Camino Real, Suite A, Carlsbad, 760.203.6642. pitfirepizza.com
Arts + Culture


Scrooge Theater Show at The Old Globe
Nov. 17-Dec. 24. The Old Globe brings us a holiday favorite: Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show. Set in San Diego circa 1919, the family-friendly comedy is a fast-paced parody of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol—featuring the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future. There’s a local twist: Scrooge now is a British émigré who moves to San Diego from England to seek his fortune at the Panama-California Exhibition—which means the entire play is set in Balboa Park and surrounding communities. Expect some localized jokes. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org


Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at North Coast Rep
Closes Nov. 19. Exploring the timeless conflict between good and evil, Robert Louis Stevenson’s famed novella has been reimagined at North Coast Rep—which presents Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde through Sunday. Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, the psychological thriller centers on a London-based legal practitioner who investigates a series of strange occurrences between his old friend Dr Henry Jekyll and a murderous criminal named Edward Hyde. See website for showtimes and tickets. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org


The Little Fellow at Cygnet Theatre
Closes Nov. 19. Catch it before it closes! Cygnet Theatre stages the world premiere of The Little Fellow (Or the Queen of Tarts Tells All) at Old Town Theatre through Sunday. Playwright Kate Hamill’s “risqué comedic drama” is loosely based on the life and memoirs Harriette Wilson, the 19th century’s most famous courtesan, who longs to get out of the “business.” (Note: Expect mature humor and themes.) The San Diego Union-Tribune hails the play as “fascinating, funny and fierce.” Rob Lufty directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525. cygnettheatre.com


Babbitt at La Jolla Playhouse
Extended through Dec. 10. Actor Matthew Broderick (pictured) stars in the title role of this world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse. Written by Joe DiPietro, directed by Christopher Ashley and anchored by a talented cast, Babbitt centers on a middle-aged real estate broker living in the Midwest, who begins to question his life. The play is based on the 1923 satirical novel Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis—a critique of middle-class life in America and the social pressure toward conformity. See website for showtimes and tickets. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Photo credits: Pitfire Pizza by Kimberly Motos. Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show (pictured L-R: Jacque Wilke and Cathryn Wake) by Jim Cox. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (pictured L-R: Bruce Turk and Conner Marx) by Aaron Rumley. The Little Fellow (pictured L-R: Keiko Green and Sofia Jean Gomez) by Karli Cadel Photography. Babbitt by Jenna Selby. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.