We are now T-minus 16 days until Christmas, so this weekend is as good a time as any to go out and feel festive. Celebrate the holidays alongside furry companions during the Gaslamp Pet Parade and the Christmas with Animals Fundraiser at Lions Tigers & Bears. Immerse yourself in seasonal splendor and creative decorations at Coastal Christmas and the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Also, the San Diego Symphony will perform the scores of essential December films The Holiday and Home Alone live in concert at The Rady Shell.
Food & Drink | Concerts & Festivals | Theater & Art Exhibits | More Fun Things to Do
Food & Drink Events in San Diego This Weekend
Holiday & Christmas Sing-Along Dinner Show at Divo Diva
December 10, 12, 13 & 17
Rosario Monetti and Victoria Robertson, the operatic owners of coffee and wine bar Divo Diva Cafe, are offering dinner and a show all-in-one with their yuletide performance series, happening this Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 6-8 p.m. During the Holiday & Christmas Sing-Along Dinner Show, patrons will receive a charcuterie board with assorted Italian meats and cheeses, a lasagna entree and a glass of prosecco along with an intimate concert and sing-along. Tickets are $95 per person plus 20 percent tax and gratuity; purchase by calling or texting 619-370-9896.
3650 5th Avenue, Hillcrest
Taste of Art: Expressive Floral Paintings at Oceanside Museum of Art
December 12
This Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., burgeoning artists are invited to mingle, nibble and create under the instruction of Robin Douglas during the Oceanside Museum of Art’s monthly Taste of Art series. For the December workshop, participants are encouraged to create lush floral landscapes, and include actual plant life in their masterpieces, via the theme of Expressive Floral Paintings. Food, drinks and supplies will be provided and artists of all skill levels are welcome to take part. Tickets are $50 for adults and $65 for OMA members.
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside
Christmas with the Animals Fundraiser at Lions Tigers & Bears
December 13
Alpine animal sanctuary Lions Tigers & Bears will host a festive day of giving this Saturday from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. during its Christmas with the Animals Fundraiser. Attendees can see rescued animals open their presents, plus enjoy raffles, treats, photos with Santa, food trucks and a festival of lights. Guests (18+) can also pay to partake in an up-close feeding experience from 3 to 4 p.m. ($160 for non-members). Non-member tickets are $50 per adult and $20 per child (12 & under), with fundraiser proceeds going towards the care of the habit’s creatures.
24402 Martin Way, Alpine
Concerts & Festivals in San Diego This Weekend
Ángela Aguilar at The Magnolia
December 12
Despite just being 21 years old, Ángela Aguilar already has a wealth of musical experience. Her first-ever album was released at age 9, and the former prodigy’s Mexican music heritage can be traced back to both her father Pepe and her legendary actor/singer grandparents Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre. Aguilar’s performance this Friday (8 p.m.) at The Magnolia will be the penultimate show of her Libre Corazón Tour, done in support of her latest Música Mexicana project Nadie Se Va Como Llegó. Tickets start at $75 for this concert.
210 East Main Street, El Cajon
The All-American Rejects with Joyce Manor at The Sound
December 12
As part of its December to Remember celebration, KBZT (Alt 94.9 FM) will host a nostalgic show featuring pop-punk luminaries The All-American Rejects and Joyce Manor this Friday (8 p.m.) at The Sound. The Rejects, known for alt rock anthems like “Move Along” and “Gives You Hell,” are expected to drop Sandbox—their first album since 2012—this coming February. Friday’s show will also feature Torrance legends Joyce Manor, who recently released “All My Friends Are so Depressed” and “Well, Whatever It Was” ahead of their upcoming seventh album I Used to Go to This Bar (releasing Jan. 30). Tickets start at $119 for this concert.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Classic Christmas Films Live in Concert at The Rady Shell
December 12 & 13
This weekend, Thiago Tiberio will conduct the San Diego Symphony Orchestra as they perform the scores of two holiday favorite films at The Rady Shell. First, on Friday at 6 p.m., see Nancy Meyers’ home-swapping romance The Holiday, where two women trade houses for the holidays and unexpectedly find the love they’ve been searching for. Then on Saturday at 6 p.m., Home Alone, the story of Kevin McCallister’s hijink-filled showdown with the Wet Bandits, will be brought to life in symphonic style alongside the San Diego Master Chorale. Tickets range from $54-$120 for The Holiday in concert and $65-$120 for Home Alone in concert.
222 Marina Park Way, Embarcadero
San Diego Water Lantern Festival at Santee Lakes
December 13
Design an eco-friendly water lantern and release it onto Santee Lakes during the San Diego Water Lantern Festival this Saturday from 2-7 p.m. Participants will be given a kit to create their own custom lantern, featuring a unique message and a recyclable LED candle inside, which will then be launched for a serene display of illumination on the water. The festival will also include food trucks, live music and a scavenger hunt to partake in. Tickets are $31 online and $58 the day-of; attendees should dress warm and bring a blanket or camping chair (plus bug spray!).
9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee
San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus: JINGLE 40 at Balboa Theatre
December 13 & 14
Groove to a blend of contemporary and classical jingle bell rock during JINGLE 40, the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus’ 40th anniversary holiday show. The roots of the city’s foremost gay chorus date back to 1985, and despite plenty of evolution along the way — including the unification of the San Diego Men’s Chorus and Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego in 2010 — the SDGMC’s JINGLE remains an annual source of holiday cheer. Tickets start at $45, with performances Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre.
868 Fourth Avenue, Gaslamp
Gunna at Viejas Arena
December 14
In 2016, Gunna became the first rapper signed to fellow Atlanta native Young Thug’s label YSL Records, sparking a fruitful partnership and several timeless collaborations. However, during YSL’s lengthy legal troubles—with the label’s racketeering case becoming the longest-running criminal trial ever in Georgia—their relationship broke beyond repair. The Last Wun, released on Aug. 8, marks both Gunna’s final album with YSL and an ambitious, yet well-measured start to his next chapter. Tickets start at $49 for his concert this Sunday (8 p.m.) at Viejas Arena.
5500 Canyon Crest Drive, Rolando
Theater & Art Exhibits in San Diego This Weekend
Cygnet’s A Magical Holiday: Christmas at The Joanat Cygnet Theatre
December 10-28
Cygnet Theatre is continuing its Christmastime festivities with a live holiday song-and-dance showcase created and directed by Carlos Mendoza. Cygnet’s A Magical Holiday: Christmas at The Joan aims to channel the pizzazz of The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular with a production that embraces the magic and wonder of the holidays in musical form. Tickets are $73 for Wednesday’s preview performance and $83 for all successive shows through December 28.
2880 Roosevelt Road, Point Loma
Annie at The Star Theatre
December 11-14
Based on the plucky title character of the Little Orphan Annie comic strip, Annie is about holding onto hope in spite of the odds. Beginning Thursday, Star Theatre Company is adapting this Great Depression-era musical for a new production featuring iconic Broadway tunes like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life” and a resilient story that’s sure to inspire—and you can bet your bottom dollar on that. Tickets range from $22 to $32 for Annie, with performances this Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at The Star Theatre.
402 North Coast Highway, Oceanside
Valency Genis: Besties and Beasties at Distinction Gallery
December 13 – January 3
The animal head sculptures of Valency Genis all feature distinct sets of eye-catching details: ornate patterns, protruding antlers, thousand-yard stares. Her newest exhibition at Distinction Gallery, Besties and Beasties, features more than 50 new and eccentric creature sculptures, each with their own fantastical story to tell. Visitors can explore the whole gallery during the exhibition’s free opening reception this Saturday from 6-10 p.m. with live music, an appearance from Genis and a curated drink menu from Last Spot Bar.
317 East Grand Avenue, Escondido
More Fun Things To Do in San Diego This Weekend
San Diego Gulls vs. Henderson Silver Knights at Pechanga Arena
December 12 & 13
The San Diego Gulls will head back to their home ice this weekend for a pair of games against the Henderson Silver Knights. With the Gulls celebrating a decade since their AHL founding, the team has plenty of 10th anniversary festivities planned, plus some other fun upcoming promotions. Friday (7 p.m.) will be Karaoke Night at Pechanga Arena, then on Saturday (6 p.m.), there will be a pregame tailgate, a Winter Wonderland & Teddy Bear Toss, and the first 8K fans will receive a Gulls-themed Trapper Hat. Tickets start at $22 for Friday and $33 for Saturday.
3500 Sports Arena Boulevard, Midway
Hasan Hates Ronny | Ronny Hates Hasan at Jacobs Music Center
December 12-14
Hasan Minhaj and Ronny Chieng’s verbal sparring tour makes its way to Jacobs Music Center this Friday-Sunday for three days of feverish debate, passionate dialogue and blistering pettiness. The foundation of Hasan Hates Ronny | Ronny Hates Hasan began when Minhaj and Chieng were both political correspondents for The Daily Show and has since turned into a heated, yet wholly unserious rivalry fueled by each other’s comedic one-upsmanship. Tickets start at $78, with shows Friday (7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.), Saturday (4 p.m. and 7 p.m.) and Sunday (4 p.m.).
1245 Seventh Avenue, Downtown
Coastal Christmas Holiday Lights Spectacular at Del Mar Fairgrounds
December 12-26
Revel in a SoCal Christmas full of frosty attractions at Coastal Christmas, beginning Friday at Del Mar Fairgrounds. From 4-9 p.m. on select nights, visitors can sip on seasonal drinks, explore the holiday light trail, peruse a festive marketplace, take a spin around the Glice rink and reserve private igloos or fire pit tables for s’more making. This family-friendly event will include plenty of kids activities as well as the Holiday Wine Walk ($56), which comes with eight two-ounce wine tastings around the Fairgrounds. Admission starts at $28 for adults and $21 for kids.
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar
Gaslamp Pet Parade
December 13
This Saturday at 1 p.m., decorative floats, marching bands and the most adorable costumed animals will showcase their holiday spirit during the return of the Gaslamp Pet Parade. The day will begin with a pre-party at Nason’s Beer Hall (11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.) featuring holiday photo ops and complimentary puppuccinos. Following the parade, humans and their pets can stop by the Pups in the Pub Party (2-4 p.m.) at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter for caricatures, treats, sips, games and the costume contest awards ceremony. Pet parade registration is $30, and spectating is free for all.
5th Avenue & L Street, Gaslamp
PARTNER CONTENT
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
December 14 & 21
On two consecutive Sundays evenings, around 80 boats decked in colorful holiday flair will take a two-hour cruise around San Diego Bay. The 55th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights will embrace the extraterrestrial theme of “An Out of this World Christmas,” and like always, parade viewing is free but be sure to secure your spot early. The vessels will take off from Shelter Island (5:30 p.m.), before coasting past Harbor Island, Seaport Village and the Embarcadero, looping by the Cesar Chavez Park pier and finishing at the Coronado Ferry Landing.
Starting Point: Shelter Island, San Diego Bay
