Holiday Listings: Happy holiday, happy holiday
May the calendar keep bringing happy holiday events to you
Hold onto your candy cane - it’s officially the hap, hap, happiest time of the year. They’ll be halls to deck, menorahs to light and plenty of festive events to fill up your holiday season. Here are some that will surely make you feel all merry inside:FESTIVALS/PARADES
Balboa Park December NightsFood from around the world, sparkling lights, free admission to participating museums, an ice skating rink and live entertainment from San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and many others - it all makes up the largest free holiday community festival in San Diego County. 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 5; 12 to 10 p.m. Dec. 6. Museum admission will be free of charge from 5 to 9 p.m. both days. Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado. (619) 239-0512,
.
Hanukkah Happening
San Diego’s largest Hanukkah event for families celebrates 25 years. Food, games, crafts, appearances by Batman and Cinderella, and more will be featured. 11 a.m. Dec. 14. Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. $2. (858) 457-3030,
.
Holiday Block Party
Legoland decks its bricks with boughs of holly. A 30-foot holiday tree adorned with more than 240 Lego ornaments towers over the park. And, the “Holidays Around the World” Lego mosaic returns. Dec. 20-31. Legoland, One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. $52-$62. (760) 918-LEGO,
.
Holiday Wonderland
The Del Mar Village Association presents this street festival, which features food from Del Mar restaurants, children’s arts and crafts activities, a holiday gift bazaar, horse and carriage rides, live music, a visit from Santa and the lighting of a 35-foot tree. 1 p.m. Dec. 7. Camino Del Mar from 15th to 11th streets, Del Mar. Free admission; $20-$25 for food/activity tickets. (858) 755-1179,
.
Kwanzaa Celebration
The WorldBeat Cultural Center presents this celebration of the second principle of Kwanzaa - Kujichagulia (self-determination). 6 p.m. Dec. 27. WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd. Free. (619) 230-1190,
.
La Jolla Christmas Parade
Floats, bands, equestrians, vintage vehicles and Santa will be in the 51st annual parade, which ends with a tree lighting. 2 p.m. Dec. 7. Girard Avenue to Prospect Street to Draper Avenue, La Jolla. Free.
.
LIGHTS
Del Mar Highlands
Tree Lighting The second annual “Lights Across the World” tree lighting ceremony will make the holiday season just a little bit brighter. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Del Mar Highlands, Del Mar Heights Road and El Camino Real, Del Mar. Free. (858) 793-5757,
www.delmarhighlandstowncenter.com
.
Festival of Lights
The Wild Animal Park’s Festival of Lights celebrates its 20th anniversary and final year in its current location. Next year, the event will move to the Zoo under the new name Jungle Bells. Dec. 13-23, 26-30; Jan. 2-3. San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido. $24-$34. (760) 796-5615,
.
Holiday of Lights
Drive through more than 400 sparkling light displays that line the racetrack. 5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 4. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $14-$19. (858) 793-5555,
.
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
The boats get dressed up in their best holiday lights and sail their stuff around the San Diego Bay for the 37th year. This year’s theme is “Rock and Roll Around the Bay.” 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21. Parade route: Shelter Island, Harbor Island, The Embarcadero, Seaport Village and the Ferry Landing in Coronado. Free. (619) 224-2240,
.
Solana Beach Holiday Tree Lighting
The tree lighting also features carols, cookies and a visit from Santa Claus. 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Fletcher Cove Park, Solana Beach. Free. (858) 720-2453,
.
MUSIC/PERFORMANCES
Aimee Mann’s Christmas Show
Aimee Mann and guests - Patton Oswalt, Nellie McKay, Grant Lee Phillips and Morgan Murphy - put on a Christmas variety show. 8 p.m. Dec. 5. Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. $28-$30. (858) 481-8140,
.
Canyon Crest Academy’s Winter Concert
The performance will feature music from the school’s choral and band programs. 7 p.m. Dec. 8. Canyon Crest Academy, 5951 Village Center Loop Road. (858) 350-0253,
.
“A Christmas Carol”
North Coast Repertory Theatre presents an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic. Dec. 12-30. North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Suite D, Solana Beach.
.
Christmas Messiah-Sing
The La Jolla Symphony Chorus holds its annual sing-along of the Christmas portion of the “Messiah.” 4 p.m. Dec. 14. St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 6628 Santa Isabel St., Carlsbad. (858) 534-4637,
.
“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
The Grinch returns to the Globe for the 11th year. Runs through Dec. 28. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way. $19-$79. (619) 234-5623,
.
Holiday Pops!
The San Diego Symphony, conducted by Matthew Garbutt, is joined by the San Diego Master Chorale, California Ballet and San Diego Children’s Choir for the ultimate holiday concert. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 and 18; 2 p.m. Dec. 20; and 2 and 5 p.m. Dec. 21. Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St. $10-$85. (619) 235-0804,
.
Ocean Air School’s Holiday Music Program
The elementary school presents its holiday music show. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Ocean Air School, 11444 Canter Heights Road. (858) 481-4040,
.
Salute to Vienna
Fall in love with Vienna’s “Waltz King,” Johann Strauss Jr., in a performance of music, song and dance featuring The Strauss Symphony of America, Lívia Galambos (soprano, Budapest) and Valeriy Serkin (tenor, Vienna) with dancers from Vienna City Ballet. 2:30 p.m. Jan. 1. Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St. $39 and up. (619) 235-0804,
.
San Diego Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
This local dance company performs the classic holiday ballet. Dec. 18-21. Mandeville Center at UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla. $20-$50. (619) 294-7311,
.
“Tis the Season”
The Village Church’s Village Players perform in this production, which is based on the “living nativity” with a few scenes that go a bit awry. Dec. 5-7. The Village Church, 6225 Paseo Delicias, Rancho Santa Fe. (858) 756-2441,
.
THIS THAT
Family Holiday Workshop
Make hand-crafted holiday gifts. 9 and 11 a.m. Dec. 6. Rancho Santa Fe Community Center, 5970 La Sendita, Rancho Santa Fe. (858) 756-2461,
.
Holiday Storytelling
Warwick’s will have a holiday storytelling event with milk and cookies for the children. 6 p.m. Dec. 16. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. (858) 454-0347,
.
Make Your Own Holiday Greeting Cards
Every Tuesday in December will be “make your own greeting cards” day. Bring your old greeting cards, magazines or paper and get creative. When you’re done, you will have your own greeting cards to share with family and friends. Tuesdays in December. The Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla. $5-$10. (858) 459-0831,
.
TOY DRIVES
Captain Mike’s Memorial Toy Drive
Help make children’s dreams come true. This toy drive was started 35 years ago by the late 10News weatherman, “Captain” Mike Ambrose. All toys donated go to the Salvation Army for deserving families. Drop off donations at the 10News studios (4600 Air Way) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 16. There will also be two special donation events on Dec. 5 and 17. Visit the Web site for more information:
.
Toys For Tots
Help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve give gifts to needy children. For more information about special donation events and a complete list of drop off locations, visit
.