City of San Diego Park & Recreation Director Stacey LoMedico and Councilmember Todd Gloria flipped the switch to turn on the SDG&E Holiday Light Canopy, which will decorate the center of the Plaza de Panama during Balboa Park December Nights and throughout the month of December.
The Holiday Light Canopy covers the center of The Prado’s plaza with thousands of energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights.
Through its donation, longtime Balboa Park December Nights sponsor San Diego Gas & Electric is also generating awareness of the energy-efficient holiday lighting now widely available.
Visitors to December Nights will have an opportunity to exchange up to three incandescent holiday light strands for three free, multi-colored energy-saving LED light strands, as well as receive an eco-friendly reusable shopping bag.
Celebrate the Season
San Diego’s favorite kick-off to the holiday season, Balboa Park December Nights will take place for the 33rd consecutive year on Friday, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday from noon until 10 p.m.
The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors and is co-produced by the City of San Diego and the San Diego Hall of Champions. Venue hosts include the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, House of Hospitality, and City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department.
The beloved San Diego event features theatrical and musical entertainment, sparking lights and food throughout the Park. In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5-9 p.m. both evenings.
New This Year!
Major League Baseball pitcher Chris Young and wife Liz will be hosting the first annual December Nights Winter Coat Drive. Attendees are asked to bring a new or gently used coat to the San Diego Hall of Champions during the event. All donated coats will be benefiting San Diego’s homeless community.
Holiday Festival, Tree Lighting, Parade in Chula Vista
Kick off the holiday season by attending Chula Vista’s 49th annual Starlight Parade on Saturday, December 4 at 6 p.m. Thousands of people will gather on Third Avenue between H and E streets staking out their viewing spot for the largest nighttime parade in the South County. With over 5,000 participants, the parade includes local high school marching bands, decorated holiday floats, local dance troupes, service organizations, strolling carolers and more. The parade theme this year is .A Storybook Holiday.
Other events on Saturday include Children.s Holiday Time in Memorial Park at 360 Third Avenue from 2:30 to 5 p.m. with live music and entertainment for the whole family. Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox will light the live holiday tree at 5:30 p.m. The parade immediately follows the tree lighting ceremony.
See Snow, Santa and More at the Center This Holiday Season
On Saturday, December 4th the California Center for the Arts, Escondido will sparkle with holiday lights, carolers, and the sights, sounds and smells of the season as the annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland kick-starts the holidays from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Center’s Lyric Court, Arrival Court and Great Green Lawn.
This annual event has become a tradition for many families in North County and beyond. In addition to seasonal music and Victorian carolers, attendees will enjoy a special visit from Santa Claus, a gingerbread house making activity, life-sized board games provided by the Escondido History Center, costumed entertainers, holiday treats, free admission into the Center Museum, and of course- real snow for the children to play in. All activities are free and open to the public. Also, from 2-4 p.m., the Escondido History Center will kick off the evening with ornament making on the train depot stage in Grape Day Park.
The Nutcracker
The San Diego Ballet Company performs the family classic The Nutcracker. The Nutcracker, featuring The Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale, will open at the Birch North Park Theater with an evening performance, Saturday, December 4 and a matinee on Sunday, December 5th. At UCSD’S Mandeville Auditorium, La Jolla, two additional evening performances will be held on Thursday, December 16th and Friday, December 17th 7:30 pm with the San Diego Children’s Choir.
Leaping Cossacks! Flurries of Snowflakes! Beautiful Sugarplum Fairy and a Legion of Rats! See them all swoop and soar across San Diego stages in America’s Favorite Holiday Event! This ballet fantasy features a cast of over 100 beautifully costumed dancers, reveling in Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. Come and join San Diego Ballet on an enchanting journey through a landscape of Yuletide dreams. Bring the entire family!
Nutcracker Special School Performances will be held at UCSD’s Mandeville Auditorium Thursday, December 16th and Friday, December 17th at 10:00am. All tickets are $5.50. For tickets, please contact our Educational Outreach Director,
For tickets, please contact our Educational Outreach Director, Karen Foster, at the San Diego Ballet, 619-294-7378.
Pacific Children’s Theatre presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr.
San Diego’s Pacific Child-ren’s Theatre (PCT) began in 2005 with a goal to use the performing arts as a vehicle to instill values and teamwork into a group of children. Join Pacific Children’s Theatre as they proudly present Disney’s Beauty and The Beast Jr. Performance times: December 3rd-December 12th Friday at 7pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm $10 Adults 16-64 $7 Children 7-15 and Seniors 65+ For Tickets call Cathy Lackmann (858)272-6236