Entertainment & Events
This Weekend In San Diego 11/29-12/1
This weekend kicks off the official start to the holiday season which means Christmas trees are found in every corner and holiday decorations hung in every mall. San Diego is starting off the festivities with holiday performances, black Friday drink specials, and much more holiday cheer! When you’ve recovered from your food coma, check out what’s happening this weekend in San Diego!
Friday, November 29
San Diego Jazz Fest
The San Diego Jazz Fest and Swing Extravaganza are back at the Town and Country Hotel and Convention Center. Also described as “the crown jewel of jazz festivals,” is a favorite of festival-goers from all around the world. The festival bands will hold a wide variety of traditional jazz, Dixieland, ragtime, swing, and rockabilly styles. Live music will be from 10 am-11 pm, check out the full live band schedule here. The cost to see the festival all day on Friday is $50 or $30 if you go after 5 pm.
Liberty Station Tree Lighting
Liberty Station will kick off with Rady Children’s Ice Rink in November, leading up to the Liberty Station Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities, from 4-9 pm. Enjoy a magical evening of the iconic 88-foot Norfolk pine tree lighting as well as live entertainment, festive firetruck rides, free photos with Santa, and The Grinch movie showing. Christmas tree lighting will be at 6:00 pm.
Black Friday at Oceanaire Seafood Room
This Black Friday, from 5-10 pm, enjoy an early evening pick me up after a long day of holiday shopping. Sered all-day at their sleek raw bar, enjoy $1 chef select oysters and $7-9 small bites that include spiced fish tacos and filet mignon sliders. Stay refreshed with select $5 beers, $6 wines by the glass, and $8 specialty martinis and cheers to the holiday season ahead.
Black Beers for Black Friday
Black Friday means the Return of Baker’s Man Pastry Stout! North Park Beer Co. will be bringing back all four variants of delicious stouts, plus a few other surprise dark beers, including a Jim Beam Maple Pecan Pancake! Flights available while supplies last.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Based on the classic Dr. Seuss book, this production features songs, “This Time of Year,” “Santa for a Day,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Fah Who Doraze,” the carol from the animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. See a snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash. The show will begin at 5 pm at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park. Tickets range from $69-$96 for both adults and kids.
Hops on the Harbor Craft Beer Dinner Cruise
It’s an evening of locally brewed perfection. Special food stations are inspired by Stone brewing, paired with a nonstop panorama of scenic waterfront sights along the horizon. Eat, drink, dance and have fun. Price is $84.50 per person that includes rotation local brews, craft beer flights, gourmet food stations, prizes, giveaways, and much more. The event is from 7:30-10 pm on the Flagship Cruise.
Saturday, November 30
Surfin’ Santa Arrival
Surfin’ Santa will ditch his red suit and reindeer to spread his holiday cheer in true SoCal fashion as he makes his annual arrival at Seaport Village. Named one of the ten best Santa sightings by USA Today, Santa will break out his boardshorts and favorite Hawaiian shirt on November 30 and cruise in from San Diego Bay for the 14th Annual Surfin’ Santa celebration at Seaport Village. This event is free and open to all ages, the time of the event is from 1-5 pm.
Julian’s Country Christmas and Tree Lighting
Located in San Diego backcountry, Julian is hosting their annual Christmas tree lighting to get you in the holiday spirit. You’ll feel a nip in the air, sniff wood fires, and maybe catch a glimpse of snow-capped mountains surrounding the town. There will be picture sleigh rides, chestnuts roasting on open fires, and Jack Frost painting the whole town white. The Santa and tree lighting will be from 5:30-6 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Winter Wonderland at The Grand Hotel Del Mar
From 1-9 pm the Fairmont Grand Del Mar will have fun Christmas vibes including a Ferris wheel, the chance to snap a selfie with Santa, and a festive 25-foot tree. Enjoy fireside s’mores and traditional refreshments in the Moët & Chandon Champagne Garden. The price is $30 per person or $35 at the door.
Little Italy Farmer’s Market
Little Italy Farmer’s Market brings farmers to the city and people to the table featuring fresh locally grown food. Support a strong local economy while enjoying the tastiest food available. The farmers market is open from 8-2 pm.
Sunday, December 1
SoNo Fest & Chili Cookoff
Enjoy this fun event from 11-5 pm at North Park, full of authentic chili, live music, beer tastings, face paintings, and much more. Chili bowl tastings are $20 per person, admission is free. The cost of ice skating is $30 online and $35 at the rink. Parking is $20 per person.
Helen Woodward’s Frosty Farm
This festive event in San Diego combines hands-on animal interactions with family-friendly activities, which makes it the perfect place to create new memories. This event will take place from 9 am-1 pm, for $10.99 for kids and $20.99 for adults. Expect to walk into a variety of crafts, cookie decorating, hot cocoa, holiday music, plenty of photo opportunities with furry friends and much more.
Del Mar Highlands Holiday Celebration
Sip and stroll through Del Mar Highlands Tis’ The Season Holiday Celebration. In the heart of the town center, there will be an igloo, a sand-snowman and other fun Christmas decorations that’ll make the perfect photo op.
Seas ‘N’ Greetings
The month-long holiday celebration at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps is hosting the Seas ‘N’ Greetings Holiday celebration starting at 9 am every day. The underwater world is transformed into a winter wonderland and you can expect special activities and Scuba Santa. Tickets start at $19.50, and kid prices are $15.
Holiday at the Races A Pop-Up Festival
Enjoy some holiday shopping from 25+ retail pop-up vendors, mini-spa and mini-glam treatments, and enter a free drawing with $3,000+ in prizes. The pop-up festival and live music are from 11-5 pm, while the races are going on. Happy hour will begin at 2 pm for 1/2 off Del Mar signature drinks including Del Marys. Event is free open to the public, upon entering you will receive a race track program, donor ribbon, and a racing tip sheet.
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