Featured LEISURE

Upcoming Events – December and January

Upcoming Events – December and January

“A Joyous Celebration” is a dazzling production performed as part of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas celebration, running through Jan. 8. (photo by Lisa Shadburn)

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

Bring your family together for the eyecatching spectacles, priceless traditions, and fun-filled surprises of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration. See dazzling new Christmas shows or meet Santa and Rudolph. Feel the snow falling and watch the sky light up with holiday fireworks. Find photo-perfect moments across acres of beautiful decorations, including a towering 30 foot, twinkling Christmas tree and a music-activated tunnel of lights. Runs through Jan. 8. 
seaworld.com/san-diego/events/christmas 


DECEMBER 17

Pet Parade

The Gaslamp Pet Parade & Pups in the Pub Party returns to the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. After the parade, guests are invited to stroll to the second annual Pups in the Pub Party at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, 2-5 p.m. Attendees can enjoy craft beer, complimentary goody bags, live music, boutique shopping, games for pups & peeps, photo ops, and more! gaslamp.org/news/gaslamp-quarter-pet-parade


DECEMBER 18

SD Bay Parade of Lights

“FantaSEA on the Bay” is the theme for the 52nd annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights set for Dec. 18. More than 100,000 visitors to the shores of San Diego Bay will witness a procession of approximately 80 lavishly decorated boats. The procession will start at 5:30 p.m. and will follow the predetermined parade route. The parade takes approximately one hour to one and a half hours to pass any given point along the parade route.
sdparadeoflights.org


DECEMBER 21

‘The Nutcracker’

“The Nutcracker” is the classic Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer, and the Sugar Plum Fairy told through a magical theatrical experience to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s famous score. Young and old alike will be captivated by Elizabeth Wistrich’s choreography, the exquisite costumes, and grand sets. Let your childhood dreams return and inspire you to imagine a bygone time. City Ballet at the California Center for the Arts Escondido.
artcenter.org


DECEMBER 22

“A Joyous Celebration” is a dazzling production performed as part of SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas celebration, running through Jan. 8. (photo by Lisa Shadburn)

Candlelight Tour

The oldest house in the historic Gaslamp Quarter is illuminated and decked with holiday cheer! Follow your guide through each festively decorated room as they share the history of some beloved Christmas traditions and, in true Victorian fashion, a few ghostly tales! Dec. 22, 4 p.m.
bit.ly/3hfiDSg


DECEMBER 28

Holiday Bowl Parade

The scenic bayside streets of downtown San Diego’s Harbor Drive will come alive at 10 a.m. with the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by Kaiser Permanente! This family event brings together world-class marching bands, magnificent floats, entertaining drill teams and a procession of enormous balloons – more than any other parade!
holidaybowl.com/holiday-bowl-parade

Holiday Bowl

The University of Oregon and University of North Carolina have accepted invitations to play in the annual SDCCU Holiday Bowl. The bowl game is scheduled for Dec. 28 at 5 p.m. It will air on FOX and be the first football game ever played in downtown San Diego’s Petco Park.


JANUARY 7

From Sea to Shore 

From sea anemones to hermit crabs, there is no shortage of life in San Diego’s tide pools. Starting Jan. 7, nature lovers will have the opportunity to explore local tide pools with a naturalist from Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego with the return of Tidepooling Adventures. aquarium.ucsd.edu


JANUARY 12

The Links at Petco

The San Diego Padres announced that The Links at Petco Park presented by Lexus, the original and best nine-hole ballpark golf experience, will return Jan. 12-22, 2023. Golfers will have the unique opportunity to take shots onto the playing field from various tees along an unrivaled course within the ballpark. The course will consist of a combination of signature holes from years past, including an on-field shot from the playing field, along with new themed holes and the opportunity to win different prizes. Golfers will be escorted by their own dedicated caddy. Upon completion of their round, golfers will finish their day in The Loft located in the Western Metal Supply Co. Building, which will be transformed into The Links clubhouse.
padres.com/thelinks


JANUARY 14

Davina and the Vagabonds

LJ Music Society

The La Jolla Music Society’s year begins with the bluesy, blustery, bawdy and irresistibly fun Davina and The Vagabonds, who have carved a niche in the blues world with high-energy live performances and rollicking compositions. They’ll take over The JAI space for two shows on Jan. 14, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Cabaret-style seating with table service for food and beverages by Giuseppe’s at The Conrad makes the perfect atmosphere for this fun and intimate show.
TheConrad.org