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Live in or planning a visit to the San Diego area? Looking for some fun things to do there in December? Then please check out this December San Diego County Calendar of Events, courtesy of our colleagues at First American Title:
Encinitas Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade | Dec. 1 from 5:30-7:30pm | Coast Highway 101
Thousands of people will be on floats and in bands with tens of thousands more cheering them on. Tree lighting ceremony with a brief appearance by Santa at the Lumberyard at 5pm. For more information: www.encinitasca.gov
Winter Wonderland Festival | Dec. 1 from 3-8pm | California Center for the Arts
Children will have the chance to frolic in real snow, create winter-themed arts and crafts, and even rendezvous with live reindeer! Food and drink will be available. For more information: www.artcenter.org
Chula Vista Children’s Faire & Starlight Parade | Dec. 1 - Children’s Faire from 2-5pm, Starlight Parade from 6-8pm | Children’s Faire at Memorial Park, Starlight Parade on Main Ave
Children’s Fair will feature a real Snow Hill, Pictures with Santa, Children’s Train, Elf Yourself, Games, Crafts, and more! Starlight Parade will feature a variety of colorful floats, caroling groups, marching bands, dance teams, classic cars, and other participants will usher in the holiday season as part of SD County’s largest nighttime parade. For more information: starlightparade.com
100 Years of Philippine Cinema | Dec. 1 from 4pm & 7pm | Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park
We’ve invited 2 exceptional Filipino films created by 2 award winning filmmakers from the Philippines. Ang Larawan (The Portrait) by Loy Arcenas and Lorna by Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo. For more information: www.facebook.com/sdfilipinocinema
Fallbrook Christmas Parade | Dec. 1 at 5pm | Main Avenue
“Toyland Christmas” The Christmas Parade marks a special day in early December when Fallbrook residents and visitors alike come to enjoy this gift to the community. For more information: www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
North Park Toyland Parade & Festival | Dec. 1 from 10am-3pm | University Avenue
Vintage cars, marching bands, dance groups, beauty queens, city officials and Santa Claus. For more information: www.toylandparade.com
OB Holiday Parade | Dec. 1 from 5-7pm | Sunset Cliffs Blvd & Newport Ave
See the Point Loma Marching Band strut their way down the street or the SD Roller Derby Dolls. VW Beetle club and classic Woodies. Motorcycles, bright-lit floats and countless bands that fill the beach with live music. For more information: www.obtowncouncil.org
Lions Tigers & Bears Christmas Festival | Dec. 1 from 1-4pm | 24402 Martin Wy, Alpine
Watch as lions, tigers, bears, mountain lions, leopards, bobcats and other sanctuary animals open their holiday gifts and enjoy their new Christmas trees. Silent auction, opportunity drawing, food trucks, a full bar, and Santa! For more information: www.lionstigersandbears.org
Vista Chamber’s Candyland Parade | Dec. 1 from 1-3pm | Vista Civic Center
The parade route starts at Civic Center parking lot, turns right on Eucalyptus, right on S. Santa Fe, right on Broadway, left on Citrus, left on Main Street and ends at the Wave Waterpark. For more information: www.cityofvista.com
Little Italy Tree Lighting & Christmas Village | Dec. 1 from 4-8pm | India St & W Fir St
Families, friends and visitors will be able to experience a tree lighting, a Christmas Village with seasonal vendors, festive décor, live music and entertainment, holiday treats, Santa Claus and more. For more information: www.littleitalysd.com
Storytime Breakfast with The La Jolla Library | Dec. 2 from 8-11am | Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa
Delight in a breakfast buffet, variety of holiday-themed drinks, dessert and a fireside reading of Dr. Seuss: How The Grinch Stole Christmas led by the La Jolla Library. For more information: www.nightout.com
La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival | Dec. 2 from 1:30-5pm | Girard Avenue & Prospect Street
Marching bands, floats, vintage automobiles and Santa Claus. Church bells peal with a fly-over. There is also a Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony. For more information: www.ljparade.com
San Pasqual Battle Day | Dec. 2 from 10am-3pm | 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido
Commemorating the 1846 Battle of San Pasqual of the Mexican-American war with battle reenactment, military encampment, food and entertainment. For more information: 760-737-2201 | www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=655
Kringle Mingle | Dec. 2 from 1-5pm | North Courtyard of Cardiff Town Center
Photos with Surfing Santa in his vintage Camera Camper Sleigh. Listen and dance to lively musical performances. Enjoy a cup of warm savory soup and scrumptious holiday treats and cookies. Children’s Craft Pavilion. For more information: www.cardiff101.com
Santa by the Sea | Dec. 2 from 3-5pm | L’Auberge Amphitheater, Del Mar
Free pictures with Santa, treats, games and entertainment, plus a holiday tree lighting! For more information: www.visitdelmarvillage.com
SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off | Dec. 2 from 11am-5pm | Thorn & 32nd Streets in North Park
40 local restaurants competing in a chili smackdown. 30 local handmade vendors. Local craft beer and wine garden. Kids Fun Fest area with bounce houses, carnival games and more. Live entertainment. For more information: www.sonofestchilicookoff.com
Hanukkah Celebration & Menorah Lighting | Dec. 3 from 5-9pm | Liberty Station
Celebration, live entertainment, photo opportunities, and more! Guests are invited to partake in an evening of ice skating at the Rady Children’s Ice Rink after the Menorah Lighting. For more information: www.libertystation.com
Alpine Village Christmas Parade & Snow Festival | Dec. 7 from 6:30-9pm | Alpine Creek Town Center
Imaginative creative entries for this hometown range from lights on pets and bikes to actual floats and huge trucks! The snow sledding, Santa Claus, entertainment, children’s activities and vendors begins at 7pm. For more information: www.alpinechamber.com
Coronado Holiday Parade & Open House | Dec. 7 from 3:20-8pm | Coronado Ferry Landing
Santa arrives via the Ferry at the Coronado Ferry Landing, a festive parade follows down Orange and Santa lights the Christmas Tree in Rotary Plaza. For more information: www.coronadochamber.com
Balboa Park December Nights | Dec. 7-8 - Fri 3-11pm, Sat 12-11pm | Balboa Park
Friends, families and the community are invited to come together for festive fun, food and attractions throughout the park, including complimentary admission to Balboa Park museums from 5-9pm. For more information: www.sandiego.gov/december-nights
La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village | Dec. 7-8 from 5-9pm | La Mesa Village
Walk the streets of La Mesa’s historic downtown and enjoy live music and dance, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and a kids’ area. For more information: www.lamesavillageassociation.org
Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights | Dec. 8 from 6-9pm | Mission Bay & Beaches
A distinctly California celebration, features boats decorated for the holidays that will sail around the Bay. For more Information: www.mbyc.org
Poway’s Christmas in the Park | Dec. 8 from 3:30-8:30pm | Old Poway Park
Horse-drawn hay and pony rides, petting zoo, and face painting. Steam locomotive train rides, model trains, and live entertainment. Holiday sweets and warm dinner foods. Tree lighting and Santa! For more information: www.poway.org
Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights | Dec. 8 from 7-9pm | Oceanside Harbor
Fishing boats, sail boats, yachts, kayaks and dingys dressed up in holiday swag and circle the Oceanside Harbor to enchant onlookers at the harbor, restaurants and beach. For more information: www.oceansideyc.net
Santa’s Holiday Festival | Dec. 8 from 10am-3pm | Rancho Buena Vista Adobe, Vista
Come take pictures with Santa. Each family will have the opportunity to make a memorable holiday ornament. There will be face painting, crafts and refreshments. Don’t forget to do holiday shopping in the Gift Shop. For more information: 760-726-1340 | www.cityofvista.com
Jingle Bell Run | Dec. 8 from 6:30-11am | Liberty Station NTC Park
The Arthritis Foundation’s original Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get decked out and be festive, while racing to raise funds and awareness to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. For more information: https://events.arthritis.org
Red Nose Run | Dec. 9 from 12:30-5:30pm | Powerhouse Park, Del Mar
A holiday 5K that benefits Fresh Start Surgical Gifts and Semper Fi Fund. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Holiday apparel and a prize will be awarded. For more information: www.therednoserun.com
Del Dios Trail Half Marathon, 10K & 5K | Dec. 9 from 6-11am | Lake Hodges Visitors Center, Escondido
All courses feature dirt service roads or single track trails, with elevation gains between 100’-500’. We are proud to offer our “Kids Dash”. For more information: www.enduranceraceseries.com/del-dios
Santa at the Lakes | Dec. 9 from 10am-3pm | Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve
Santa Claus, snow sledding, carnival rides, smores, food, face painting, arts, crafts and so much more! For more information: www.santeelakes.com
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights | Dec. 9 & 16 at 5pm | San Diego Bay
More than 80 boats lavishly decorated sailing by the shores for all to see. The parade proceeds from Shelter Island past Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, Pier at Cesar Chavez Park and the Ferry Landing in Coronado. For more information: www.sdparadeoflights.org
ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship | Dec. 12-16 - See website for schedule | La Jolla Shores
Serves as the preeminent platform for physically challenged surfers to display their talents in competition. For more information: www.isasurf.org
San Diego Santa Run 5K & 1 Mile Race | Dec. 15 from 8:30-11am | Garnet Ave. and Bayard St.
A series of runs that will take place on Garnet Avenue featuring a 5K fun run and 1 mile run waves that include run with your dog, kids run, and a competitive wave. For more information: www.sandiegosantarun.com
Old Town Las Posadas | Dec. 15 from 12-8pm | Old Town San Diego
Based on the story of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. Fiesta de Reyes invites you to enjoy the holiday spirit with festive decorations throughout the park, entertainment, and holiday experiences for the whole family. For more information: www.oldtownsandiego.org
Dirty December Poker Fun Run Half Marathon & 10K | Dec. 15 from 9am-12:30pm | Sycamore Canyon Open Space Preserve
In addition to a costume contest and holiday theme, this run will involve a poker element – your poker hand could give you bonus time! For more information: http://dirtyfeet.us
San Diego Holiday Half Marathon | Dec. 15 from 5am-12pm | Hotel Karlan, Ranch Penasquitos
Starts on Penasquitos Drive in front of the Hotel Karlan then travels SW along Carmel Mountain Road along the 56 bike path and finishes at the beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach. For more information: www.sandiegoholidayhalf.com
The Vet + Pet West Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade | Dec. 16 from 1-5pm | MLK Promenade Park, San Diego
All pet owners and their furry, feathered, and scaled companions are invited to don their favorite costumes and put their best paw, wing, and fin forward for this jolly promenade and pet expo. For more information: www.gaslamp.org
San Diego International Auto Show | Dec. 27-30 - Thur-Fri 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-7pm | SD Convention Center
Over 400 vehicles from 30+ global manufacturers. Be among the first in the US to see more than 20 debuts of newly unveiled vehicles not yet in showrooms that are expected to be on display at the show. For more information: 858-550-0080 | www.sdautoshow.com
SDCCU Holiday Bowl | Dec. 31 at 4pm | SDCCU Stadium
This signature San Diego event annually showcases a thrilling game between some of college football’s most competitive conferences, the Big Ten and the Pac-12. For more information: www.holidaybowl.com
Solar Turbines 5K Run/Walk | Dec. 31 at 9:45am | San Diego Harbor Front
Athletes will run past 100,000 cheering spectators. Runners, families and spectators can watch the remainder of the parade that features colorful floats, bands and inflatable characters. For more information: www.holidaybowl.com