Make sure the last full week of 2024 is well spent, no matter where you go in San Diego. There will be an array of community cultural celebrations, with the Liberty Station Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting (Dec. 26) and the four-day Kwanzaa celebration at Worldbeat Cultural Center (Dec. 26-29). Plus, the Holiday Bowl will be in full swing Thursday and Friday with a 5K and a parade on the Embarcadero, a pre-game get-together in Gaslamp and of course, the big game at Snapdragon Stadium.
There will also be a holiday tea time with a ballet performance of The Nutcracker, and a pair of exhibiting tribute performances (for Jimmy Buffet and several artists of the ‘80s) to round out the many things to do in San Diego this weekend.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Christmas Day Brunch at Ember & Rye
December 25
With loads of sushi, sashimi and smoked fish on the menu, Executive Chef Jon Bautista is cooking up a seafood-friendly brunch for Christmas morning at Ember & Rye. From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Park Hyatt Aviara. The selection will include an iced seafood display, a charcuterie station with California cheeses, plus hot and cold buffets with dishes like beef tartar, apple pie french toast and duck confit roulade. A spot at Christmas Day Brunch is $155 per adult and $60 per kid; reservations can be made on OpenTable and the full menu can be viewed here.
7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad
Nutcracker Tea at Fairmont Grand Del Mar
December 27-29
Enjoy a divine tea time at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, featuring a ballet performance of The Nutcracker from the Scripps Performing Arts Academy. There will be tea on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with each experience made even more memorable by a narrated, abridged version of The Nutcracker. Tickets to Nutcracker Tea are $170 for adults and $88 for children ages 2-10, and can be purchased on OpenTable.
5300 Grand Del Mar Court, Del Mar
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Jimmy’s Buffet – Jimmy Buffett Birthday Celebration with The Tourmaliners at Belly Up
December 26
Calling all Parrotheads! The Belly Up Tavern is hosting a birthday party for the legendary Jimmy Buffet with 9-piece tribute band Jimmy’s Buffet and local surf guitar group The Tourmaliners. Buffett, crafter of “ Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Margaritaville” was also a Christmas baby, and Thursday’s show will be a chance to celebrate the man behind many easy-going classics. Tickets are $22 to $39 for this Buffett birthday celebration.
143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach
44th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration at WorldBeat Cultural Center
December 26-29
WorldBeat Cultural Center will celebrate the first four days of Kwanzaa, while championing the theme of “Tribute to the Ancestors,” during its 44th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration. Doors open at 6 p.m. each night with special guest speakers, live performances and ceremonial candle lightings. Highlights from the Kwanzaa programming include a Nikki Giovani poetry tribute by Alyce Cooper (Dec. 26), a film screening of “The Black Candle” (Dec. 28), and a keynote speech from author, artist and Morgan State University professor MK Asante (Dec. 28). RSVP for free here.
2100 Park Boulevard, Balboa Park
Return of the 80’s: Tribute to Talking Heads, Pretenders
December 28
Dance to the new wave, rock and pop music earworms of Talking Heads, Pretenders and other ‘80s hitmakers during Return of the 80’s at Quartyard this Saturday night. During this City Lights Live concert, hear the music of tribute bands Talking Threads, Pretending Chrissie and Rebel Robbie as they rewind it back a few decades for the ultimate ‘80s show. General admission tickets are $18 and there is a holiday BOGO 2 for 1 deal ($10) available through Dec. 26.
1301 Market Street, East Village
KC & the Sunshine Band at Viejas Casino & Resort
December 28
Put on your boogie shoes and get down (tonight) to the greatest hits of KC & the Sunshine Band this Saturday night at Viejas Casino & Resort. Led by Harry Wayne Casey (a.k.a. KC), the group were the toast of the disco age, and their catalog includes plenty of irresistible number-one hits that can get anyone up and grooving on the dancefloor. Tickets can be purchased for $100 here.
5000 Willows Road, Alpine
Wild Horses Festival at Petco Park
December 30
Post Malone headlines a lineup of country artists, featuring Zach Top, Paul Cauthen, Vincent Neil Emerson and Dan Spencer, during the Wild Horses Festival at Petco Park this Monday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. As the festival returns for another year in SD, Malone—who has recently traded his rap origins for the studs and spurs of country with his most recent album F-1 Trillion—will close out 2024 with an electric stadium performance. Tickets range from $72 to $220 and are available here.
100 Park Boulevard, Downtown
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Lo-Mein Laughs Presents Jackie Hoffman
December 25
On Christmas Day, guests can enjoy a Chinese food dinner and a one-woman comedy show from Jackie Hoffman at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. Hoffman will present a semi-autobiographical story in “A Chanukah Carol,” where she gets visited by the ghosts of Chanukah Past, Present and Future. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. followed by the performance at 7 p.m. in the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre. Tickets to Lo-Mein Laughs are $64 for JCC members and $80 for the general public.
4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla
The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays at Civic Theatre
December 26-27
They say a magician never reveals their secrets, and that’ll especially be true during The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays, as a group of world-class stage sorcerers will use awe and misdirection and awe guard their magical tricks. During this production that features much more than just a sleight of hand, The Illusionists will have plenty of tricks up their sleeves over their two-night stint at the Civic Theatre. Tickets to see The Illusionists this Thursday and Friday start at $46 and can be purchased here.
1100 Third Avenue, Downtown
More Fun Things to Do in San Diego This Weekend
Liberty Station Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting
December 26
Liberty Station and the Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach will host a free community Hanukkah and Menorah Lighting this Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Central Promenade. The event will include music, family-friendly activities and the lighting of the menorah candles to signal the beginning of the Festival of Lights. Following Thursday’s event, the menorah will remain on display and will be lit up for each successive night of Hanukkah.
2820 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma
Holiday Bowl 5K & Parade
December 27
On Friday morning, the Holiday Bowl festivities will begin with the Holiday Bowl 5K walk & run beginning at Harbor and Ash, with T-shirts and goodie bags for all race finishers. After their workout, participants and their supporters can enjoy a post-race party with live music, food and views of the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade. Speaking of the parade, spectators can watch the parade for free with street-side viewing and admire the decorative floats, marching bands and balloons. Grandstand tickets are also available for $30 (children younger than 3 years old don’t need a ticket) for a better view of the spectacle.
North Harbor Drive, Embarcadero
DIRECTV Holiday Bowl
December 27
Led by second-team All-ACC quarterback Kyle McCord, the Syracuse Orange will look to clinch a 10-win season with a Holiday Bowl victory against one of the two surviving members of the Pac-12, the Washington State Cougars. Syracuse are strong favorites heading into Friday’s bowl game at Snapdragon Stadium, but WSU and their ragtag squad will look to play spoiler on Friday night. The night prior in Gaslamp, check out Snapdragon Bowl Bash, a free pre-game celebration with food, live music, photo ops, games, street performers and a university battle of the bands. Tickets start at $64 for this college football matchup.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
San Diego International Auto Show
December 28 – January 1
Start your engines for the annual San Diego International Auto Show, with brand new and classic car models and a wide variety of auto products on display at the San Diego Convention Center. The show will commence Saturday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the chance to test drive a variety of cars and learn about the possibilities behind new electric vehicles. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for kids ages 7 to 12 (kids receive free admission on Dec. 29).
111 West Harbor Drive, Downtown
