Thanksgiving Brunch, Surfin’ Santa, Serea and more… Check out the top San Diego weekend events for November 28- December 1.

Edited by Brooke Knetzger.

 

 

EVENTS

 

 

Julian Country Christmas
Nov. 30. Kick off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the town’s huge living Christmas tree. In this mountain town, you’ll feel a nip in the air, sniff wood fires, and maybe catch a glimpse of snow-capped mountains while you explore the town’s holiday festivities and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts. 1-7 p.m. Free. Julian Pioneer Museum, 2811 Washington St., Julian. visitjulian.com

 

 

 

Surfin’ Santa 
Nov. 30. Catch a wave with Santa at Seaport Village’s 14th Annual Surfin’ Santa celebration. Named one of the ten best Santa sightings by USA Today, Santa will break out his board shorts and favorite Hawaiian shirt and cruise in from San Diego Bay by watercraft. Visitors can pose for free pictures with Santa on his giant surfboard, riding a six-foot wave. A festive parade along the boardwalk, live street performers and a wide variety of unique, local shops will keep visitors busy throughout the event. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. 849 W Harbor Dr, Embarcadero. seaportvillage.com 

 

 

Tree Lighting at One Paseo 
Nov. 30. Grab friends and family, and head to One Paseo on Saturday for a tree lighting from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Enjoy live musical performances from the San Diego Children’s Choir and FROSTBITE, visits with Santa, and festive photo opportunities while snow cascades from the rooftops! Don’t forget to get a bit of holiday shopping out of the way. 3725 Paseo Place, Del Mar. onepaseo.com

 

 

 

Holiday at the Races
Dec. 1. Enjoy Closing Day at the races with Holiday shopping from 25+ retail pop-up vendors, receive complimentary mini-spa and mini-glam treatments, enter the free drawing with $3,000+ in prizes, plus holiday activities, live music and more. Come early for Happy hour until 2:00 pm for 1/2 off Del Mar signature drinks including Del Marys and stop by the Newcomers wagering seminar for horse racing information and selections. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. DMTC, Plaza de Mexico & Hacienda Lounge, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar. dmtc.com

 

 

 

THANKSGIVING

 

Father Joe’s Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K Run & Walk
Nov. 28. Bright and early on Thanksgiving morning, hundreds of San Diegans will suit up in festive attire and running shoes and head to Balboa Park for the 18th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K. Walk or jog the iconic route through Balboa Park to reach a family-friendly festival at the finish line. 6:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Spreckles Organ Pavilion, 1549 El Prado, Balboa Park. Register

 

 

 

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
Nov. 28. Guests will enjoy stunning views of Mission Bay and live acoustic guitar as they partake in the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa’s annual Thanksgiving brunch – featuring a carving station with roasted turkey and mustard-crusted pork, as well as a fully-stocked seafood station and decadent desserts. $62 per person, $25 for children 5-11, Free under 5. Noon – 4 p.m. 3999 Mission Blvd, Mission Bay. catamaranresort.com 

 

 

 

Mille Fleurs
Nov. 28. For an elegant farm-to-table Thanksgiving meal, Mille Fleurs has prepared an outstanding 3 course prix fixe menu. With selections like Squash Soup made from locally-sourced produce, Oven-Roasted Mary’s Farm Turkey, and a slice of Pecan Pie for dessert, you can share a delicious Thanksgiving meal without the hassle of cooking. Show your thanks to your loved ones and to local farms by dining at Mille Fleurs. $74.50 pp. 12:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. 6009 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe, 858.756.3085. millefleurs.com

 

 

Serea
Nov. 28. Serēa, an innovative sea-to-table dining experience at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, invites guests to join the oceanfront destination for Thanksgiving dinner. Executive Chef JoJo Ruiz will be serving a special menu with seasonal ingredients that include; roasted honeynut squash with goat cheese mouse, pomegranate, honey tamarind glaze; duck tajin with dry apricot, lemon, olives, parsnip and fregola; and a chocolate profiterole puff ‘puff daddy’; with chocolate mousse, pink peppercorn carmel, and gold flakes. $95 per person, $30 for children 4-10 and complimentary for children 3 and under. 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, 619.435.661. hoteldel.com

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

 

Cesarina’s New Menu
Now Available. The autumn season is underway in San Diego, and the Italian-born gourmands behind Cesarina are embracing it with passion. Courtesy of Executive Chef Patrick Money, a new lineup of dishes incorporates harvest staples including pumpkin and mushrooms as well as hearty proteins. New appetizers include the Polpo Zucca + Patate, a crispy octopus antipasto with a creamy potato-pecorino gravy, butternut squash, arugula and balsamic reduction. New entrees include the Salsiccia, Zafferano + Fiori- homemade fettuccine, salsiccia, saffron, zucchini and squash blossoms. 4161 Voltaire Street, Point Loma. cesarinarestaurant.com

 

 

Pacific Social 
Now Open. David and Lesley Cohn of Cohn Restaurant Group officially launched their 28th family-owned dining concept, Pacific Social. Following a top-to-bottom remodel over the course of five months, this design-forward restaurant/bar offers a “come one, come all” experience that has something for everyone, including Insta-worthy décor, an upstairs arcade, and a house-made pie program. New American with eclectic twists throughout, the menu offers classic comfort foods like Chicken Pot Pie and Fish & Chips. 6025 Village Way, Carmel Valley. cohnrestaurants.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

 

 

Cambodian Rock Band 
Nov. 29- Dec. 1. 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 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 once and for all. Through December 15. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla, 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org

 

 

Nick Roth: Fates
Opens Nov. 30. Rendered in a semi-abstract, three-panel animation, multimedia artist Nick Roth invites you on a journey with three Greek deities. Clotho (“The Spinner”), Lachesis (“The Alloter”) and Atropos (“The Unturnable”), known as the Greek Fates, had different tasks that worked collaboratively to assign mortals his or her fate. Using 3D animation and computer programming, Roth explores the concept of destiny in this 10-minute animation, while encouraging visitors to consider the unpredictability of the events that make up their lives. The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park. sdmart.org

 

 

Photos: Julian Country Christmas courtesy The Julian News. Surfin’ Santa courtesy Seaport Village. Tree lighting at One Paseo courtesy One Paseo. Holiday at the Races courtesy DMTC.  Father Joe’s Villages courtesy Father Joe’s Villages. Mille Fleurs courtesy Bay Bird. Serea courtesy J Public Relations. Catamaran courtesy Evans Hotels. Cesarina courtesy Arlene Arbana. Pacific Social courtesy H2 Public Relations. Nick Roth: Fate courtesy i.d.e.a. Cambodian Rock Band courtesy Jenny Graham.