27.-29. December – San Diego Union-Tribune

Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, December 27th through Sunday, December 29th.

Friday

Related links:

2024 Holiday Bowl guide: Events, transportation information, and how to watch San Diego’s football bash

Family Hanukkah Party: Congregation B’nai Tikvah will hold its annual Hanukkah Party and Latke Contest at 6:30 p.m. on December 27 at the Masonic Center in Escondido. There will be latkes and donuts for dinner. Bring your menorah to light candles and sing Hanukkah songs with cantor Larry Kornit for the third night of Hanukkah. Free. Bring some dairy for the party and non-perishable food for Interfaith Community Services along with gently used coats, hoodies, shirts to donate to Sharia’s Closet, which provides emergency clothing in the San Diego State area. For more information, call 760-650-2262 or visit bnaitikvahsd.org.

Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk: The first game day event for the Holiday Bowl is the 29th annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk on Friday, starting at 9:45. The 5K course starts at Ash Street. Participants travel south on Harbor Drive. 5K participants receive a finisher’s medal and awards for those who finish at the top of their age division. To register for the 5K, visit holidaybowl.com/5k-walk-run.

Holiday Bowl parade: Holiday Bowl Parade on Friday at 10. The parade highlights the Washington State and Syracuse marching bands, drill teams and various floats with extra-large balloons. More than 100,000 observers are expected by parade organizers. Street viewing is open to the public for free, and grandstand tickets can be purchased for $30 at holidaybowl.com/holiday-bowl-parade.

Holiday toast: Snapdragon Stadium is hosting the Holiday Bowl for the first time. Kickoff is scheduled for 5pm on Friday. The Holiday Bowl festivities conclude with the KGB Sky Show at the end of the game. Game tickets start at $60.30 and can be purchased at holidaybowl.com through Ticketmaster.

Jim Brickman – ‘Comfort and Joy’: This pop and classical composer and pianist, famous for his Christmas music, will perform a holiday concert with guest vocalists at the Balboa Theatre. 19.30 Friday. 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $45-$68. ticketmaster.com

Pop-up runway: Ups-N-Downtown Escondido Roller Rink is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 12.00 to 20.00 Saturdays and Noon to 4 p.m. Sundays through December 28 on Grand Avenue west of Juniper in downtown Escondido. The temporary 50 by 100 foot rink is in the middle of the street on Grand Avenue and is open to everyone from experienced skaters to beginners. Roller Rink fee is $5 and skate rental is $5. Visit downtownescondido.com/events.

Holiday Market at Petco Park: The Holiday Market at Petco Park is held on select nights with Christmas light displays, photo opportunities with Santa and holiday characters and live reindeer, along with a 40-foot Christmas tree, a large carousel and Christmas train that kids can ride through Gallagher Square. There will also be live entertainment on the Sycuan Stage during certain nights. Handmade holiday gifts will be sold at the artisan vendors at the market. There will be cider and mulled wine along with shortbread and seasonal delicacies. Tickets start at $12 for children and $15 for adults, depending on the date and time selected. Children have access to the brand new playground and playground as well as the snow zone. 16.00 to 22.00 Friday. Tickets are at padres.com/holidaymarket.

“The Illusionists’ Magic of the Holidays’: Broadway San Diego presents this traveling magic show produced by Montreal’s Cirque du Soleil. The show features five master illusionists, Chris Cox, Pablo Canovas, Kevin James, James More and David Williamson. 19.30 Friday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $46-$166. sandiegotheatres.org

“RESPECT CHRISTMAS”: Lamb’s Players Theater presents the final performances of this popular Christmas show in 2023 with carols and carols featuring actors from two previous Lamb’s hit shows: “RESPECT” and “Million Dollar Quartet.” 19.00 Friday and Saturday. 14.00 Saturday and Sunday. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $38-$96. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

“2 pianos 4 hands”: North Coast Repertory Theater presents the return of this 1996 musical comedy about two men who tell the stories of their lifelong love-hate relationship with the piano, featuring more than 20 pieces of classical, pop and jazz music. 19.30 Friday and Saturday; 14.00 Saturday and Sunday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $64. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org

“Winter Wonderettes”: San Diego Musical Theater presents this all-female holiday adaptation of Roger Bean’s comedy “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” In this version, the female quartet is pressed into service to create a Christmas show after Santa Claus turns up missing. 19.00 Friday and Saturday. 14.00 Saturday and Sunday. SDMT Stage, 4650 Mercury St., San Diego. $30 and up. 858-560-5740, sdmt.org

Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse: A Frozen Fun Zone, a “Polar Express”-inspired train ride, holiday lights, igloos and campfire s’mores are among the attractions on weekends through Dec. 29 at Lakehouse San Marcos, 1025 La Bonita Drive. Admission tickets are $5 per person over 10 and free for hotel guests. Food, beverages and additional tickets to certain attractions will be sold. Visit thelakehouseresort.com.

Holiday oasis: Hillcrest area restaurant, insideOUT, introduces its Holiday Oasis Experience seasonal event. The public can partake in 14 holiday-themed cocktails, such as the $17 “Chai-lent Night,” which features bourbon, honey, chai tea and orange juice, and the $18 “Mele Kaliki-Tiki,” which includes tequila, pineapple juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice , allhand liqueur and falernum syrup. The room is decorated with Christmas lights and Christmas trees. Now through January 5. 1642 University Ave. #100, San Diego. 619-888-8623, insideoutsd.com

Cutwater Winter Lodge: There is an opportunity to taste Cutwater’s holiday drinks at the distillery in Miramar. Cutwater Winter Lodge will introduce seasonal cocktails, a hot chocolate bar and photo opportunities with a branded gondola. Nov 21 until 31 December. 9750 Distribution Ave., San Diego. 858-672-3848, cutwaterspirits.com/tasting-room

Santa’s Cave: Parq Night Club transforms its underground space into a Christmas-themed cocktail bar on select dates in November and December. Santa’s cave will be a North Pole-decorated speakeasy with holiday cocktails and small bites. Guests can also take a picture with Santa Claus. 22, 24 and 30 November 1, 5, 6, 8, 13-15, 19-22 and 26-29. 615 Broadway, San Diego. $14-$30. santaslairsd.com

Jingle Bar San Diego: Christmas pop-up Jingle Bar is coming to San Diego at Bang on the 5th. The Asian fusion restaurant and bar is set to become a holiday wonderland with cocktails, games, music and Christmas-themed decorations. There will also be best dressed competitions and prizes for the winners. 1-29 Dec. 762 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $15.62. 619-677-5650, events.thejinglebars.com/events/jinglebar/1438371

Saturday

‘All That Jazz’ at Hotel del Coronado: The Norfolk Island Pines on the Hotel del Coronado’s Founders Lawn are the centerpiece of the “All That Jazz” light show. From From 5pm to 9pm through January 5th, the Hotel del Coronado is giving the public a free light show synchronized to jazz music. There will also be a hotel duplicate 12-foot tall red tower with holiday lights, a bar and lounge seating. The free light show lasts 10 minutes and takes place every 30 minutes. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com/events/at-first-light-lightshow-spectacular

Sunday

Hanukkah celebration: Chabad La Costa is hosting a menorah lighting from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on December 29 at Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.

Light fields: An intergenerational Hanukkah celebration is from 4 to 6 p.m., Dec. 29 on the fifth night of Hanukkah at Coastal Roots Farm to honor the holiday’s spirit of resilience and hope and to inspire the community to spread light. Highlights include live music, traditional Hanukkah games, a lighted garden and delicacies to share. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children. The tickets are limited. Advance registration required. Visit coastalrootsfarm.org/event/field-of-light-a-chanukah-celebration.

Game Night: On December 29, Chabad is hosting a Game Night for all ages at 4:30 PM at Chabad of Oceanside/Vista. There will be crafts, games, donut decorating and latkes and lighting of the menorahs. Bring your menorah to light and a favorite game you like to play or participate in a game. RSVP for game night at jewishoceanside.com/gamenight.