Winter Nights, Holiday Tea, Blade 1936 and more… Check out the top San Diego weekend events for December 12-15.
Edited by Brooke Knetzger.
EVENTS
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights
Dec. 14. Grab your friends and family and head to the Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, a distinctly California celebration, featuring boats decorated for the holidays that will sail around the Bay. A highly anticipated free event in the San Diego community, dozens of vessels take to the water for the parade. 6 – 9 p.m. 1215 El Carmel Place, Mission Bay. mbyc.org
Old Town Las Posadas
Dec. 14. Join Fiesta de Reyes at Old Town San Diego’s 69th annual celebration, as you’re invited to get in the holiday spirit with festive decorations throughout the park, live entertainment, crafts and more family-friendly activities. The candle-lit procession begins at 5 p.m., and guests are invited to meet in front of the print shop in State Park at 4:45 p.m. to see the traditional reenactment. The festivities will wrap up with a piñata for the children, along with a campfire and s’mores in the Plaza. Noon- 8 p.m. Free. 2415 San Diego Ave, San Diego. More info
Winter Nights at Westfield UTC
Dec. 14. Celebrate the holiday season with friends and family as Westfield UTC transforms into a winter wonderland with glistening lights and iconic carols, featuring a collection of activities from seasonal live musical performances, stellar headlining acts, photos with Santa, holiday sips and savory treats, along with winter-themed crafts and fun activities for the entire family. 5 – 8 p.m. 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Register
Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade
Dec. 15. Deck those paws with bells so jolly and jingle all the way through the Gaslamp Quarter for the 12th Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade. Pet owners and their furry friends are invited to don their favorite costumes for this jolly promenade and Holiday Pet Market. Entry to participate in the Pet Parade is just $15 per pet in advance, and $20 on the day of the event. Free entry for spectators! Noon- 5 p.m. Gaslamp.org
Hustlecraft at The Guild Hotel
Dec. 15. HustleCraft, a new quarterly speaker series and curated artisan marketplace, premieres this Sunday. HustleCraft’s mission is to provide a fresh, inclusive and authentic platform for a curated group of SoCal business owners to sell their wares and gain exposure, all while creating a networking hub via HustleCraft’s speaker series, “HustleChats.” Every hour, inside The Guild Hotel’s Grace Ballroom, creatives connect with successful business owners and influencers will have the opportunity to interact with 30 of San Diego’s most prolific movers and shakers. $20+. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Guild Hotel, 500 W. Broadway, San Diego. hustlecraftsd.com
FOOD + DRINK
Blade 1936 Launches Brunch and Lunch
Now Available. Blade 1936, Oceanside’s newest dining hotspot, is giving guests additional chances to enjoy the restaurant’s delicious Italain cuisine, with the launch of Saturday and Sunday brunch, and lunch offered Wednesday through Friday. Expanding upon Blade 1936’s core offerings of house-made Napoli style wood fired pizzas and crafted semolina pastas, the brunch and lunch menus offer classic brunch fare, various focaccias and paninis, soups, and salads. Following suit of the dinner menu, both brunch and lunch include numerous vegan and gluten free options. 401 Seagaze Drive, Oceanside, 760.231.1456. blade1936.com
Holiday Tea at THE MED
Dec. 14. Head to La Jolla as THE MED’s award-winning afternoon tea returns for the holidays this Saturday from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy a variety of teas, delectable sandwiches and homemade sweets set to ocean views and elevate your experience with champagne selections. Holiday Tea starts at $46 with a variety of experiences, including their Signature Tea, Veuve Clicquot for Two and more. 1132 Prospect Street, La Jolla. Tickets
Festive Bubbly and Brunch at the Beach
Dec. 15. Calling all brunch-goers to JRDN for a Festive Bubbly and Brunch on Sunday, featuring Champagne Billecart-Salmon. Located on the Pacific Beach boardwalk, JRDN is the perfect spot to sip on champagne while taking in the beautiful Pacific views. With bubbly in hand and the ocean in sight, guests will enjoy a four-course brunch prepared by Executive Chef David Warner and paired perfectly with bubbles from Champagne Billecart-Salmon. The brunch experience with wine pairings costs $89 per person and includes tax and gratuity. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. JRDN, 723 Felspar St, Pacific Beach. Reservations
ARTS + CULTURE
Cambodian Rock Band
Through Dec. 15. Dubbed “fierce, gorgeous and heartwarming” by the Los Angeles Times, this epic play/rock concert thrusts us into the life of a young woman trying to piece together her family history thirty years after her father fled Cambodia. Featuring a cast that performs a mix of contemporary Dengue Fever hits and classic Cambodian oldies, playwright and UC San Diego alum Lauren Yee brings to vivid life the Cambodian rock scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s, a movement cut short by the Khmer Rouge’s brutal attempt to erase the music (and musicians) once and for all. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
Mamma Mia
Through Dec. 15. Coronado Playhouse ends its 73rd season with the award-winning, high-energy production of Mamma Mia! Fall in love with the characters, the story, and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show. This sunny, funny, sensational story is told through the magic of ABBA’s timeless music and explosive dance numbers. Music and lyrics are by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, the musical writing team and the “guy-half” of ABBA, that brought us the hits you know and love, like “Dancing Queen,” the title song “Mamma Mia!” and more. 1835 Strand Way, Coronado, 619.435.4856. Tickets
Photos: Winter Nights courtesy J Public Relations. Old Town Las Posadas courtesy Old Town Las Posadas. Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights courtesy San Diego Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club. Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade courtesy Gaslamp.org. Hustlecraft courtesy Chrome City PR. Blade 1936 courtesy H2 Public Relations. The MED courtesy the Nth Element. JRDN courtesy Chemistry PR. Cambodian Rock Band courtesy La Jolla Playhouse. Mamma Mia courtesy Coronado Playhouse.
