27-29. December – San Diego Union-Tribune

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

Friday

Related Links:

Guide to the 2024 Holiday Bowl: Events, transportation information and how to watch the football party in San Diego

Family Hanukkah Party: Congregation B’nai Tikvah will hold its annual Hanukkah party and latke contest on December 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Masonic Center in Escondido. For dinner there are latkes and donuts. Bring your menorah to light candles and sing Hanukkah songs with Cantor Larry Kornit for the third night of Hanukkah. Free. Bring some dairy to share at the party and non-perishable food items for Interfaith Community Services, as well as used coats, hoodies and 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 of the Holiday Bowl is the 29th Annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk on Friday starting at 9:45 a.m. The 5K course begins on Ash Street. Participants drive south on Harbor Drive. 5K participants receive a finisher medal and awards for the best in their age group. To register for the 5K, visit Holidaybowl.com/5k-walk-run.

Holiday Bowl Parade: The Holiday Bowl Parade on Friday at 10 a.m. The parade features Washington State and Syracuse marching bands, practice teams and various floats with extra-large balloons. The parade organizers expect more than 100,000 observers. Street viewing is free to the public and grandstand tickets can be purchased for $30 at Holidaybowl.com/holiday-bowl-parade.

Holiday bowl: Snapdragon Stadium will host the Holiday Bowl for the first time. Kick-off is scheduled for Friday at 5:00 p.m. 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 singers at the Balboa Theater. Friday, 7:30 p.m. 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $45-$68. Ticketmaster.com

Pop-up roller coaster: The Ups-N-Downtown Escondido Roller Rink is open Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 12 to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. on Grand Avenue west of Juniper in downtown Escondido through December 28th . The temporary 50-by-100-foot rink is located in the middle of the street on Grand Avenue and is open to everyone from experienced skaters to beginners. The roller skating rink fee is $5 and the skate rental fee is $5. Visit downtownescondido.com/events.

Petco Park Christmas Market: The Petco Park Christmas Market takes place on select evenings and features holiday lights, photo opportunities with Santa and holiday characters and live reindeer, as well as a 40-foot Christmas tree, a large carousel and a Christmas train for children to ride through Gallagher Square. There will also be live entertainment on the Sycuan stage on certain evenings. Handcrafted Christmas gifts are sold by the craft vendors at the market. There is cider and mulled wine as well as shortcrust pastries and seasonal delicacies. Tickets start at $12 for children and $15 for adults, depending on the date and time slot selected. Children have access to the brand new playground and play area as well as the snow zone. Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are available at padres.com/holidaymarket.

“The Magic of the Illusionists’ Holidays”: Broadway San Diego presents this traveling magic show produced by Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil. The show features five master illusionists: Chris Cox, Pablo Canovas, Kevin James, James More and David Williamson. Friday, 7:30 p.m. San Diego Civic Theater, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $46-$166. sandiegotheatres.org

“RESPECTIVE Christmas”: Lamb’s Players Theater presents the final performances of this popular 2023 holiday carol and carol show featuring cast members from two previous Lamb’s hit shows: RESPECT and Million Dollar Quartet. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Lamb’s Players Theater, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $38-$96. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org

“2 pianos for 4 hands”: North Coast Repertory Theater presents the return of this 1996 musical comedy about two men telling the stories of their life-long love-hate relationship with the piano, featuring more than 20 pieces of classical, pop and jazz music. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $64. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org

“Winter Wonderettes”: San Diego Musical Theater presents this holiday adaptation of Roger Bean’s all-female comedy “The Marvelous Wonderettes.” In this version, the women’s quartet are pressed into service to create a Christmas show after Santa Claus goes missing. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. 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 s’mores by the fire are among the attractions weekends through Dec. 29 at Lakehouse San Marcos, 1025 La Bonita Drive. Tickets are $5 per person over 10 and are free for hotel guests. Food, drinks and additional tickets to certain attractions are sold. Visit thelakehouseresort.com.

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

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

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

Jingle Bar San Diego: The Christmas pop-up jingle bar arrives in San Diego at Bang on the 5th. The Asian fusion restaurant and bar transforms into a Christmas wonderland with festive cocktails, games, music and Christmas decorations. There will also be a competition for the best clothing and gifts for the winners. 1st-29th December. 762 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $15.62. 619-677-5650, events.thejinglebars.com/events/jinglebar/1438371

Saturday

“All That Jazz” at the Hotel del Coronado: The Norfolk Island Pines on the Founders Lawn of the Hotel del Coronado are the centerpiece of the “All That Jazz” light show. Through January 5, Hotel del Coronado offers the public a free Christmas light show synchronized to jazz music from 5 to 9 p.m. There will also be a replica of the hotel’s 12-foot red tower with Christmas lights, a bar and lounge seating. The free light show lasts 10 minutes and occurs every 30 minutes. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com/events/at-first-light-lightshow-spectacular

Sunday

Hanukkah celebration: Chabad La Costa will host a Menorah Lighting at Forum Carlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona on December 29th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visit theforumcarlsbad.com.

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

Game night: On December 29th, Chabad will host an all-ages game night at Chabad of Oceanside/Vista at 4:30 p.m. There will be crafts, games, donut decorating, latkes and menorah lighting. Bring out your menorah and a favorite game you would like to play or participate in a provided game. Register for game night at jewishoceanside.com/gamenight.