Events
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! On the Radio
Nov. 26. The show must go on! A San Diego holiday tradition for more than 20 years, the beloved musical pivots to an audio format this year. Gather the family around the radio for The Old Globe theater’s special installment of the Grinch. The production is directed by James Vásquez, with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, and music by Mel Marvin. The performance can be heard for free on KPBS Radio 89.5 FM, on the KPBS website and app, and on smart speakers. Only sweet Cindy Lou Who can save Christmas! Noon. theoldglobe.org
Salute the Season at Liberty Station
Begins Nov. 26. Nab some holiday spirit with Liberty Station’s lineup of festivities. The fun begins on Thanksgiving with the official lighting of its 88-foot-tall Christmas tree on the lawn behind Stone Brewing; as well as the launch of the Salute the Season Art Walk. Guests can take a self-guided tour through the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and peruse 12 holiday-themed art installations stationed along the north and south promenades. Post a social media photo with #SaluteTheSeason to be entered into a raffle to win a Zoom chat with Santa. 2850 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma. libertystation.com
The Grinch’s Grotto at Westfield UTC
Opens Nov. 27. Who (pun intended) doesn’t love a grotto devoted to the Grinch? Head north of Whoville to visit the mean, green grump in his special cave (located next to Geppetto’s Toys) for a socially distanced photo shoot and a few fun surprises. The family-oriented experience comes complete with a professional photographer and festive backdrop—a burlap sack full of presents, a Grinch-stylized holiday tree and a backlit fireplace with hanging stockings. See website to purchase tickets and for details on safety protocols. Tickets start at $50. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite E-25, UTC. grinchgrotto.com
Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees
Opens Nov. 27. On the hunt for that perfect Christmas tree this year? Mr. Jingles is here to help. With three San Diego outposts—Balboa 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; contact-free delivery, installation and removal; professional tree-decorating services; and at-home decorating kits. Basically, it’s a one-stop tree shop. See website for addresses, hours and safety protocols. mrjingleschristmastrees.com
Shop Small Saturday at One Paseo
Nov. 28. Looking to support small businesses this holiday season? Head to One Paseo for Shop Small Saturday. The lifestyle campus is home to 40 specialty shops and restaurants, including several locally owned boutiques. Some of our favorites include jeweler Marrow Fine; trendy women’s clothier Van de Vort; clean beauty boutique Shop Good; and Whiskey x Leather, a haven for clothing, leather goods and more. We also love Pigment for design-savvy furnishings, plants and unique gifts. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar, 858.523.2298. onepaseo.com
SPONSORED
Jungle Bells
Upcoming | Begins Dec. 4. ‘Tis the season to visit the San Diego Zoo, which will be decked out with festive lights and decorations. Guests can enjoy safe, socially distanced entertainment as they say hello to their favorite animal friends—including music, roaming entertainers, and special meals and sweets available. And stop by the gift shops for that perfect present for the animal lover in your life. Jungle Bells takes place Dec. 4-6, 11-23 and 25-31; and Jan. 1-3. Activities start at 4 p.m. Happy holidays from the Zoo family to yours! 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, 619.231.1515. More Info
Celebrate Thanksgiving
Farmer’s Bottega
Nov. 26. The farm-to-fork eatery will offer a three-course dinner and a specialty kids’ menu on its quaint outdoor patio. Selections include pumpkin soup; butternut-squash ravioli with brown butter and Parmesan; a traditional roasted turkey plate; prime rib; pan-roasted Alaskan halibut; and the signature pork chop—served with garlic mashed potatoes, braised radicchio and a dried-apricot balsamic reduction. Dessert options include pecan pie and peach cobbler. Reservations strongly encouraged. 4-9 p.m. $65 per person, $20 children under 10. 860 W. Washington St., Mission Hills, 619.458.9929. farmersbottega.com
STK San Diego
Nov. 26-29. Offering outdoor dining, delivery and takeout, the steakhouse is offering a grand meal with all the fixings—roasted turkey with chestnut-cornbread stuffing, green beans, sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, gravy and cranberry-orange chutney. A children’s menu and the full STK menu are also available. (Choose your cut of steak and toppings such as Alaskan king crab and truffle butter.) $49 adults, $29 children 12 and under. Add pumpkin pie served with Bailey’s whipped cream and vanilla ice cream for $12 more. Open daily 3-10 p.m. 600 F St., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.354.5988. stksteakhouse.com
Food + Drink
Weekend Brunch at Jeune et Jolie
Now Open. Brunch is back at Carlsbad’s revered French bistro. Relax amid olive trees on the outdoor patio with Champagne and refined plates by executive chef Eric Bost. This means house-made galettes in a variety of flavors—including rose-honey with powdered sugar; smoked salmon with creme fraiche and dill; and caviar with maple-brown butter and pistachio. Or try other traditional fare such as the Boursin omelet; beef tartare with mustard and sunchokes; bone marrow with oxtail marmalade; and escargot with parsley butter; plus a raw bar. Sa-Su 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 2659 State St., Carlsbad, 760.637.5266. jeune-jolie.com
New Cocktail Menu at Gravity Heights
Now Available. What’s even better than a brewpub that serves beer? A brewpub that also serves cocktails. Now with a full liquor license, Gravity Heights has launched a new cocktail menu that includes such fun creations as the Baha Up with tequila and pineapple; Coastal Smoke with mezcal, lime and honey; and Beergarden Party with lemon-lavender-infused vodka. And speaking of the latter, we love the expansive outdoor beer garden here—featuring fire pits and trees covered in twinkling lights. L, D daily; Br Sa-Su. See website for hours. 9920 Pacific Heights Blvd., Sorrento Mesa, 858.283.8206. gravityheights.com
Arts + Culture
San Diego Ballet’s Drive-In Nutcracker
Nov. 27-29. A winter wonderland filled with dancing sugarplum fairies and snowflake flurries … in central San Diego? Yes, please. An outdoor corridor of Liberty Station transforms into an alfresco pop-up auditorium for performances of the Nutcracker by the San Diego Ballet Company. The drive-in setup accommodates 30 parking spots per show, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets and food to enjoy it tailgate-style. See website for show times. (More performances are slated for Dec. 5-6.) Tickets start at $99 per vehicle. 2265 Truxtun Road, Point Loma. libertystation.com
A Christmas Carol
Nov. 28-Jan. 3. Bah! Humbug! Enjoy a one-man version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The streaming video event stars Tony Award winner and UC San Diego MFA graduate Jefferson Mays (pictured)—directed by two-time Tony Award nominee Michael Arden; adapted by Mays, Susan Lyons and Arden; and conceived by Arden and Tony Award nominee Dane Laffrey. The show is based on the acclaimed 2018 production that premiered at Los Angeles’ Geffen Playhouse. Tickets are $50 per household and benefit La Jolla Playhouse and theaters nationwide that have been devastated by the pandemic. lajollaplayhouse.org
Photo credits: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Jim Cox / courtesy The Old Globe. Jeune et Jolie by Devin Castañeda. A Christmas Carol by Chris Whitaker. All other images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
