December 1:
Lace up your skates and hit the ice, San Diego style: at Skating by the Sea at the Hotel del Coronado, among palm trees and trendy shops at Liberty Station’s Fantasy on Ice (both through January 3), or amid East County desert landscape at the Viejas Outlets (through January 10).
December 2:
Take a photo with Old Saint Nick, sing with carolers, and donate toys for needy children at Del Mar Highlands Town Center’s Holiday Celebration with Santa.
December 3:
Catch a classic flick in a historic space as Cinema @ The Balboa presents Labyrinth at the Balboa Theatre.
December 4:
Pop till you drop with musicians Adam Lambert and Andy Grammer during the Star 94.1 Night concert at the Civic Theatre.
Join hundreds of San Diegans for the two-day December Nights holiday celebration at Balboa Park.
December 5:
Prepare to be busted by TV’s favorite fearless scientists as Mythbusters: Jamie and Adam Unleashed takes the stage at Balboa Theatre.
Soak up the sparkle in Little Italy at the annual Tree Lighting & Christmas Village.
December 6:
Celebrate a hipster holiday with art, craft beers, and chili at the SoNo Fest and Chili Cook-off.
Spin the dreidel during the Hanukkah Happening at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.
December 9:
Flex that seasonal sweet tooth at Bake Sale’s Holiday cookies class, where you’ll learn how to make peppermint meringues and other sweet treats.
December 12:
Let visions of sugarplum fairies dance through your head after a performance of California Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Civic Theatre.
December 13:
Deck your pet in costumed glory for the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade.
Watch lavishly decorated boats cruise through the “Christmas Around the World” by San Diego Bay Parade of Lights.
December 16:
Jam to Grammy–winning alt-rock band Muse at Valley View Casino Center.
December 17:
Turn back the clocks to a century- old celebration at An American Christmas dinner theater at the US Grant (through December 26).
December 23:
Get your college football fix during the Poinsettia Bowl at the Q, followed by the Stadium Spectacular fireworks extravaganza.
December 26:
Pay tribute to the Man in Black at Belly Up’s Cash’d Out Christmas.
December 30:
It’s a full day of college bowl game fun during Holiday Bowl Day, with the Port of San Diego balloon parade, Battle of the Bands, and a ball game at Qualcomm Stadium.
December 31:
From a big bash to a brewery party, ring in 2016 your way at the Hilton Bayfront’s Big Night San Diego, a James Bond–themed Casino Royale Party at Westgate Hotel, or Stone Brewing Liberty Station’s New Year’s Eve Celebration.
December 12: The Nutcracker