Events
Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station
Nov. 21-Jan. 5. 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. 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. 29.) $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. 21-Jan. 5. This celebrated tradition at the historical Hotel del Coronado—which will be decked out with holiday decorations and celebrations—is back. Skating by the Sea is a one-of-kind San Diego experience—a beachfront ice rink on the resort’s lawn, offering views of world-famous Coronado Beach and the Pacific. Guests can also reserve a spot at Frostbite Lounge—a rink-side hangout 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
“Miracle” at Draft at Belmont Park
Opens Nov. 22. Belmont Park’s oceanfront restaurant Draft transforms into “Miracle,” a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail experience hosted at select locales across the globe. The pop-up features over-the-top holiday decorations and exclusive libations served in collectible mugs, such as the signature Santa’s Head and Christmas Carol Barrel. Festivities also include (on select dates) holiday film screenings like Home Alone and Elf, ornament decorating, cookie decorating and “Miracle Paint Night.” See website for all details, hours and reservations. 3105 Ocean Front Walk, Suite B, Mission Beach. belmontpark.com
Food + Drink
Barra Oliba
Now Open. Get a taste of Spain’s Basque, Galician and Catalonian regions at Little Italy’s new culinary destination: Barra Oliba, owned by Eduardo Bustamante (Crudo Cevicheria) and Ernesto Casillas (Zibaris Hospitality Group); with the kitchen overseen by chef Joshua Mayhew. The elegant Spanish bistro serves up locally sourced (and seed-oil-free) dishes, including seafood plates using Japanese techniques, Mediterranean rice dishes, tapas, shareable plates and desserts; plus Spanish and French wines, sangria, beer and more. W-Su 4-10 p.m. 1980 Kettner Blvd., #30, Little Italy, 619.310.5110. barraoliba.com
Cocina 35 Coronado
Now Open. Specializing in Mexican brunch, specifically those famous chilaquiles, Cocina 35 has opened its fifth and newest location (with four other locales in San Diego) at Coronado Ferry Landing. Brunch comes with sides of San Diego Bay and downtown skyline views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and a large open deck. On the menu: seven different kinds of “Chilaquiles Especiales,” sampler plates, omelets, scrambles, pancakes and Cajeta toast. For lunch, try the cochinita pibil torta, hard shell tacos and tortilla soup. See website for hours. 1201 First St., #115, Coronado. cocina35.com
Arts + Culture
Broadway S.D.: Avatar, The Last Airbender
Nov. 21. Composed and arranged by the Emmy Award-winning Jeremy Zuckerman, Avatar, The Last Airbender In Concert comes to the Civic Theatre for one evening only, presented by Broadway San Diego and produced by Nickelodeon. The immersive concert experience comprises an approximately two-hour recap of the animated television series’ (not to be confused with the James Cameron movie series) three seasons—shown on a full-size cinema screen—accompanied by a live orchestra performing the score in sync with each iconic scene. 7:30 p.m. See website for ticket pricing. 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
New Village Arts: Miracle on 34th Street
Nov. 22-Dec. 24. Celebrate the season with New Village Arts, which presents Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play. Told in the style of a 1940s radio play, it’s a heartwarming musical adaptation of the classic story—created by San Diego artists Jon Lorenz and Lance Arthur Smith. In it, we follow Doris, a Macy’s executive who hires Kris Kringle as the store’s Santa Claus for the season; yet, she and her young daughter just don’t believe he’s the real Saint Nick… See website for showtimes and tickets. 2787 State St., Carlsbad, 760.433.3245. newvillagearts.org
The Nat: Wild San Diego
Debuts Nov. 22. Did you know San Diego County boasts the highest biodiversity in the continental U.S.? Exploring the hidden wonders of our diverse urban landscape—where surf, sand, wildlife, humans, and habitats are all interconnected—the San Diego Natural History Museum (the Nat) debuts a new documentary: Wild San Diego, opening on Friday. Screenings are included with paid museum admission and free for members (see website for details and screening times); museum is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). 1788 El Prado, Balboa Park, 619.232.3821. sdnhm.org
Jacobs Music Center: Jazz @ The Jacobs
Nov. 23. At the renovated Jacobs Music Center, the San Diego Symphony presents a special Jazz @ The Jacobs concert (note: the Symphony orchestra does not appear in this particular show) that pays tribute to jazz legends Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan. Vocalists and musicians include Champian Fulton (pictured), Jane Monheit, Sherry Williams, Ricky Woodard, Sam Hirsh, John Clayton and Matt Wilson. 7:30 p.m. (Arrive early for a pre-show concert by the Young Lions Conservatory All Stars jazz band.) See website for ticket pricing. 750 B St., downtown, 619.235.0804. sandiegosymphony.org
North Coast Rep: Incident at Our Lady…
Extended Through Nov. 24. Catch it before it closes! North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach presents the San Diego premiere play, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, now extended through Sunday. The nostalgic, heartwarming comedy—written by Katie Forgette—takes us back to the 1970s and inside the working-class family home of the O’Shea clan, as they face realities of this quickly changing decade. (Pictured L-R: Erin Noel Grennan, Abbi Hoffpauir and Samantha Gorjanc.) Jenny Sullivan directs. See website for showtimes and tickets. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
Photo credits: Avatar by Zdenko Hanout. New Village Arts by Kali Boston. North Coast Rep by Aaron Rumley. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
