The countdown to Christmas begins with a myriad of seasonal events all over San Diego. Folks who love dazzling light-up displays can admire local tree lightings, walk the LED-laden path of City Lights or gaze out at the San Diego Bay for boats dressed for Peace on Earth. As for those who enjoy a carol-filled soundtrack, you’re in luck. Audiences can hear live renditions of classic and modern anthems, and relish in the chance to sing along, among the many things to do in San Diego this weekend.
UCSD Park & Market will host its inaugural First Friday happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Friday with a holiday theme. The East Village Holiday Happy Hour will feature live music from dance band Full Strength, Italian food paired with wines and libations courtesy of Senses Bistro. Attendees can also give back by donating to the event charity, the Lucky Duck Foundation, which helps fund high-impact programs to assist San Diego’s homeless community. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door and come with one beer or glass of wine.
Stroll through Downtown Del Mar Village while sampling food and drinks from neighborhood eateries at the area’s annual Winter Taste & Sip from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday. The seasonal festivities will include live music from local bands and carolers, and ticket options for both taste-only ($50) and taste and sip ($61) attendees. Attendees can also enjoy activities like ornament making and the local holiday tree lighting at Del Mar Village’s free North Pole by the Sea event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
1540 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar
Courtesy of UCSD
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Andrea Bocelli at Pechanga Arena
December 4
The maestro of melodies, Andrea Bocelli, will sing a medley of expansive arias, romantic ballads and tracks from his album A Family Christmasduring his Wednesday concert at Pechanga Arena. Hear one of the world’s most prominent vocalists showcase his range with a show that celebrates his greatest hits with a helping of yuletide flair. Tickets are starting at $154 for this performance.
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
Trisha Paytas: TRISHMAS LIVE! at Civic Theatre
December 5
For “TRISHMAS LIVE!,” YouTube star, podcast personality and all-around entertainer Trish Paytas is taking her talents on the road for the holiday season. During her Thursday night show at the Balboa Theatre, Paytas’ forthright comedic style will shine with original holiday compositions like “I Love You Jesus,” “Covid Christmas” and “Merry Trishmas.” Tickets to “TRISHMAS LIVE!” start at $65.
1100 Third Avenue, Downtown
ISOKNOCK presents SAN DIEGO 4EVR at Thrive Park
December 7 & 8
This weekend at Thrive Park will be an epic homecoming for Julian Isorena (ISOxo) and Richard Nakhonethap (Knock2). Together they form the duo ISOKNOCK, and they’ll triumphantly return to their hometown with SAN DIEGO 4EVR, a sprawling 18+ festival for the crowd of dedicated year-round ravers. ISOKNOCK have gained a massive following for their thrilling live performances, and for their last performance of the year they’ll have a lineup full of EDM heavy hitters, with special guests like RL Grime, Peekaboo and Madeon. Two-day resale tickets are still available, starting at $299.
2101 Stadium Way, Mission Valley
Holiday Concerts at Epstein Family Amphitheater
December 7 & 8
UC San Diego ArtPower is throwing a pair of festive shows at the Epstein Family Theater this Saturday and Sunday, with a celebration of an Andalusian Christmas carol and a free holiday sing-along. Saturday’s Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico! will feature Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico Grande. On the following night during Choir! Choir! Choir!, the audience will play a primary part in the vocal ensemble for an “Un-Silent Night.” Tickets start at $35 for Campana Sobre Campana. RSVP-only required for Choir! Choir! Choir!
9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla
Courtesy of AIGA San Diego
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen at Palomar College
December 6-15
A grieving woman in ‘90s Ohio comes to terms with the loss of her sister through an action-packed Dungeons & Dragons adventure in She Kills Monsters. Directed by Heather Megill and written by Qui Nguyen, this story uses the fantasy role-playing game as a unique storytelling vehicle, with the protagonist becoming immersed in a world of beasts, battles and realizations. She Kills Monsters will run through December 15 at Studio Theatre at Palomar College. Tickets range from $10 to $16 and can be purchased here.
1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos
Manny and The Wise Queens at Brooks Theatre
December 6-22
The Oceanside Theatre Company’s humorous and hopeful new production Manny and The Wise Queenssees two wise queens bring a bit of Christmas spirit to a depressed teen in Bethlehem, USA on a pandemic-era night in December 2020. There will be a preview performance Friday night, with Saturday’s opening night performance to be followed by a Champagne toast after the show. Tickets range from $20 to $45 for this local theater production.
217 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
FOUND ADRIFT | Timeless New Works Inspired by an 1876 Seaweed Scrapbook at Studio Culture
Opens December 6
Local artist and designer Ron Miriello has formed a collection of over 50 new works on canvas, textiles, video and lithographs to be displayed in FOUND ADRIFT | Timeless new works inspired by an 1876 seaweed scrapbook. Inspired by a recently found seaweed scrapbook from the 1880s, Miriello has crafted a testament to the world’s unseen natural artifacts. The free opening reception will take place on Friday night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Studio Culture (the former Woodbury School of Architecture), with a live DJ, food truck, beer and coffee. Following this, the exhibition will be open for appointment-only viewing through Feb. 1.
2122 Main Street, Barrio Logan
Making Merry: A Choral Holiday Celebration at Balboa Theatre
December 7
The crooners of the San Diego Opera Chorus will run through holiday fan favorites such as “The Christmas Song,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Carol of the Bells,” for “Making Merry” at the Balboa Theatre. This Saturday night, beginning at 7:30 p.m., special guests and chorus performers will sing both traditional and contemporary carols led by music director Bruce Stasyna. Tickets range from $23 to $163 for this performance.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
A John Waters Christmas at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room
December 8-9
The king of trashy cinema and the filthiest filmmaker of all, the legendary John Waters, will deliver a round of deliciously grotesque commentary on Christmas during a two night stint at Lou Lou’s Jungle Room. As Waters returns to San Diego for more nights of naughtiness, learn what gifts (and tricks) he has in store during A John Waters Christmas. Sunday’s show is already sold out but single tickets for Monday are still available here.
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, North Park
Courtesy of Makers Arcade
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
Balboa Park December Nights
December 6 & 7
Balboa Park will be buzzing during its free holiday festival, with dozens of food, drink and retail vendors, plus six live music stages platforming an array of community dance and music performances. But the fun at Balboa Park December Nights doesn’t stop there, with highlights like skateboard demonstrations, complimentary entry at select museums and a free ferris wheel in Pan American Plaza. Plus, there will be a community sock drive put on by SDGE in partnership with PATH San Diego to provide donations to unsheltered individuals.
1549 El Prado, Balboa Park
Makers Arcade Holiday Fair
December 6-8
See what San Diego’s most creative makers have in store at the Makers Arcade Holiday Fair, a three-day shopping extravaganza at the Broadway Pier. There will be more than 140 handmade vendors, a food truck court, photo booths, cocktail/mocktail and beer bars, live music and more. General admission is $6 online and $7 at the door while children under 10 years old will receive free entry. The first 75 people who enter each day will receive a swag bag and VIP packages—which come with three-day admission, gifts and merch—are available for purchase.
City Lights: An Immersive Journey Through Light & Sound
December 6 – January 19
Take a mesmerizing 50-minute walk through light displays, LED sculptures and digital art at Quartyard during City Lights. Attendees can enjoy six different illuminating zones created by artist Ben Guerrette, including sections with choreographed light and sound, and finish in a lounge with curated cocktails and a tapas menu from El Comal. After this weekend, City Lights will run from Thursday through Sundays until January 19. Tickets are $20 for adults and children under the age of 5 are free to enter.
1301 Market Street, East Village
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
December 7
Attendees can shop seasonal treats and handmade holiday items from local businesses and admire the lighting of the Piazza della Famiglia’s 25-foot tree and Joshua Hubert’s Aurora tree during this Saturday’s Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village. Ten-foot nutcrackers, light-up displays, Santa Claus, live entertainment, and the pleasing sound of merry music will also appear around the plaza from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
523 West Date Street, Little Italy
The 54th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
December 8 & 15
Roughly 80 local schooners will coast through San Diego Bay on two Sunday nights in December as part of the annual Parade of Lights, with this year’s theme being “Peace on Earth.” The boats, all adorned in themed decorations, will begin at Shelter Island and finish by the Ferry Landing on Coronado. Best of all, the parade can be viewed for free along the coast at spots like Seaport Village, the Embarcadero and Cesar Chavez Park.
Ryan Hardison is a freelance arts and entertainment writer and recent graduate of San Diego State. When he's not staring at his laptop, he's likely eating an adobada burrito or getting sunburnt at the beach.
