Events
Comic-Con Special Edition
Nov. 26-28. The world’s largest comic book and popular arts convention returns in a shorter, scaled-down scope with limited attendance. The Comic-Con Special Edition features exhibits, gaming, celebrity appearances, small-capacity rooms for autographs, and other events at the San Diego Convention Center. Bars and restaurants across the Gaslamp Quarter and downtown are also offering specials and themed cocktails in celebration. Superheroes (or other costumes of your choice) are welcome. See website for full schedule, hours, safety protocols and tickets. 111 W. Harbor Drive, downtown. comic-con.org
Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees
Opens Nov. 26. In the hunt for that perfect Christmas tree this year? Mr. Jingles is a one-stop tree shop. With four San Diego outposts—near Balboa Park, Belmont Park, Clairemont and La Jolla—the company offers six different types of fresh trees—ranging in height from 2 feet to more than 20 feet—plus wreaths, garland, mistletoe, holiday lights, ornaments and more. Mr. Jingles also offers online tree ordering (in partnership with UberEats); delivery, installation and removal; professional tree-decorating services; and at-home decorating kits. See website for addresses, hours and pricing. mrjingleschristmastrees.com
Del Mar Highlands Town Center Sip & Stroll
Nov. 27. Nab some holiday spirit with this festive annual event. Guests can stroll through the center and explore its retailers; while enjoying cocktails, bites and live music by The Heart Band. Each participating tenant will feature its own unique experience and holiday specials, from complimentary gift wrapping to book signings to gifts with purchase. Participants are also asked to purchase a gift for donation to Ronald McDonald House. 2-5 p.m. The event is free and open to the first 300 people who sign up. 12925 El Camino Real, Del Mar, 858.793.5757. RSVP
Shop Small Saturday at One Paseo
Nov. 27. Looking to support small businesses this season? Head to One Paseo. The lifestyle campus is home to 40 shops and restaurants, including several locally owned boutiques. Some of our favorites include luxury jeweler Marrow Fine; trendy women’s clothier Van de Vort; and clean beauty boutique Shop Good. The fun also includes the lighting of a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree (5 p.m.), a gospel-choir performance and the kickoff of One Paseo’s holiday toy drive, which runs through Dec. 13. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar, 858.793.5757. onepaseo.com
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Dinner at Callie
Nov. 25. Chef Travis Swikard is cooking up a four-course, family-style feast at his revered downtown restaurant. The menu boasts entrees including Diestel Ranch turkey with Tuscan-sage sausage and brown-butter-cranberry sauce, braised Moroccan lamb shank and slow-baked salmon; a pasta course; sides such as Tuscan sourdough stuffing; and pumpkin-cheesecake mousse and Turkish rice pudding for dessert. Reservations required for full dine-in meal; à la carte menu available at the bar for walk-ins. Noon-6 p.m. $80 adults (optional $50 wine-pairing); $35 kids. 1195 Island Ave., East Village, 619.255.9696. calliesd.com
Dinner at Mister A’s
Nov. 25. Take in sweeping views of the city and bay from 12 floors up while dining on a delectable holiday meal. Chef Stephane Voitzwinkler’s prix-fixe menu includes roasted, organic Diestel Ranch turkey with gravy and traditional accompaniments; Parmesan-crusted seabass; butternut-squash agnolotti; slow-roasted Brandt Farm prime rib; black-truffle mac ‘n’ cheese; cranberry-brioche-bread pudding; and much more. Reservations highly recommended (see website for dress code). Starting at $89.95 per person. 2550 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.239.1377. asrestaurant.com
Food + Drink
Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll
Nov. 27. Sip, shop, stroll, repeat. Cutwater Spirits presents this sixth annual event, with holiday cocktails and sweets served at 22 independent retailers along Adams Avenue. Enjoy libations dreamt up by AC Lounge, Cantina Mayahuel, El Zarape, Et Voilà, Ponce’s, The Rabbit Hole, Sabuku Sushi, Ska Bar, The Ould Sod, Sycamore Den and Wormwood; plus stops at shops such as Eclipse Naturals, Rose Reggae and The Divine Bubble. A complimentary trolley will transport guests up and down the avenue during the event. 2-5 p.m. $25. Adams Avenue, University Heights to Kensington, 619.282.7329. More Info
“Miracle on 30th” at Polite Provisions
Through Dec. 31. The corner of 30th Street and Adams Avenue is aglow again this year with this famed holiday pop-up. Enter a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights and snowflakes hanging from the bar’s atrium-style ceiling and rafters; along with wreaths, trees, holly, tinsel, garland and other decorations. One of around 80 participating bars around the world, Polite Provisions will offer special holiday-themed cocktails in addition to its usual menu. Ugly sweaters and other festive attire are encouraged. M-Th 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; F-Su noon-2 a.m. 4696 30th St., North Park, 619.269.4701. politeprovisions.com
New Dinner Menu at Madison
Now Available. The University Heights hot spot debuts a new delicious new dinner menu boasting a dozen new dishes. Highlights include the Mediterranean burger, feta-stuffed Greek lamb kofta, Harissa Bolognese (pictured) and pan-seared local seabass. Wash it all down with new cocktails that range from the classic, minty Grasshopper to the cozy Paru Tea Bar Hot Toddy (a collaboration with Paru Tea Bar). All are best enjoyed beneath Madison’s cedar-paneled vaulted ceilings inside, or on the heated patio outside. Open Tu-Su (see website for hours). 4622 Park Blvd., University Heights, 619.269.6566. madisononpark.com
Arts + Culture
For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls
Through Dec. 4. Presenting its first live production in 20 months, The Roustabouts Theatre Co. launches its fifth season with a collection of five one-act plays across an evening of irreverent sketch comedy. The lineup includes a parody of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie; Business Lunch at the Russian Tea Room, centered on a playwright being seduced to adapt to Hollywood; and Nina in the Morning, about a wealthy, narcissistic woman who mourns her lost youth and looks. Phil Johnson directs. $40. Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando District, 619.568.5800. theroustabouts.org
1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas
Through Dec. 26. Celebrating its 20th-anniversary season and newly renovated theater, New Village Arts presents 1222 Oceanfront: A Black Family Christmas—a world-premiere holiday musical. In it we meet matriarch Dorothy Black, who invites us into her oceanfront Carlsbad home to celebrate Christmas Eve with her family. Expect some mild family drama but also plenty of love, laughs, dancing and singing—complete with reimagined traditional carols and original songs. Delicia Turner Sonnenberg directs a talented ensemble cast. $52 (with discounts available). 2787 State St., Carlsbad Village, 760.433.3245. newvillagearts.org
Broadway San Diego’s My Fair Lady
Upcoming | Nov. 30-Dec. 5. With its 44th season underway, Broadway San Diego brings us My Fair Lady. Linguistics professor Henry Higgins sets out to transform Eliza Doolittle—a young Cockney flower seller—into a “proper lady.” Directed by Bartlett Sher, the new production is based on the original musical by lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe. The show features classic songs such as “The Rain in Spain,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “I Could Have Danced All Night.” See website for safety protocols and tickets. Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. broadwaysd.com
Photo credits: Callie by Kelly Wood. Madison by Haley Hill Photography. For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls by Tim Botsko. 1222 Oceanfront by Sarah Marcella Photography. My Fair Lady by Joan Marcus. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
