Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Surfboard Santa

Pet parade, parade of lights on the bay, ugly sweater pub crawl, Grinch at Old Globe, ginger beer and granola at farmers markets

We're not sure this turtle is stoked to be dressed as a Christmas tree for the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade.
We're not sure this turtle is stoked to be dressed as a Christmas tree for the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade.

Growing up in the Chicago area, the holidays meant snowy hills and hushed landscapes, warm, woolly scarves and mittens, puffy down coats and sturdy boots. It also meant shoveling two feet of snow off the driveway before going anywhere. I’ll just say it — dreaming of a white Christmas is highly overrated. Here in San Diego, we get festive our own way, without giving up our shorts and sandals. After all, where else does Santa come to town on a surfboard?

Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade

Place

Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade

West Harbor Drive at West Market Street, San Diego

Let your furry, feathered, or scaled friend strut its stuff at the 10th Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade. The parade starts on the corner of Fourth Avenue and K Street at the Gaslamp Hilton Park and features prizes for the best pet, human, and group costumes in nine categories, as well as a pet expo and pet talent show. The Best in Show winner will be invited to be the grand marshal of the 2018 pet parade. There’s free live music and registered guests get a complimentary goodie bag filled with unique keepsakes, samples, toys, and discounts to some of the Gaslamp Quarter’s pet-friendly restaurants and shops. Sunday, December 10, 3 p.m. Free to view, $15 per pet to participate (pre-registered), $20 day of.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

Place

Shelter Island Marina

2051 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego

How would Jack Sparrow celebrate the holidays? Find out at the 46th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights — this year’s theme is “Arrrgh! A Pirate’s Christmas”! This popular holiday boat parade will take place on two Sundays and attracts more than 100,000 spectators who line the shores from the starting point at Shelter Island to the end at the Ferry Landing in Coronado. Other areas to view the nearly 80 extravagantly decorated boats are Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and the Pier at Cesar Chavez Park. Public transportation and carpooling is encouraged — parking near the best viewing areas is limited. Sundays, December 10 and 17, 5:00 p.m. Free to view, $50–$60 to enter a vessel.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl-iday

Place

Commons Bar

901 Fourth Avenue, San Diego

Dig into the back of your closet for that hideous holiday sweater, hat, or shirt, then head down to the Gaslamp Quarter to celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day! Starting at the Commons Bar, your friendly, knowledgeable private host will guide you to four of the Quarter’s hottest pubs, beer bars, and dance clubs. Your ticket includes complimentary VIP entry to all venues, drink specials, and an amazing after-party for all pub crawlers to dance the night away. Register online, no walk-ups. Saturday, December 16, 7:00 p.m.–1:30 a.m., $20.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Place

Old Globe Theatre

1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego

America’s favorite holiday grouch returns as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville for the 20th season of Dr. Seuss’s classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Veteran Broadway actor Edward Watts makes his Globe debut as the Grinch, with Steve Gunderson returning for his 15th appearance as Old Max. A sensory-friendly performance of the “Grinch,” geared toward those on the autism spectrum and their families takes place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 9. Tickets start at $24 for children and $37 for adults. November 7–December 24. $24–$119

National Comedy Theatre’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular

Place

National Comedy Theatre

3717 India Street, San Diego

Laugh your way into 2018 at the National Comedy Theatre’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular! Based on Drew Carey’s Whose Line Is It Anyway?, this fun improv comedy show takes its cue from audience suggestions. Also included is a buffet dinner before the show and a champagne toast as you count down the seconds to the New Year, as well as an after-party with the cast. This event is always a sell-out, so purchase your tickets early. All ages are welcome. Sunday, December 31, 8:30 p.m., $79

Gift shopping at farmers’ and public markets

No matter how carefully you plan, you’re likely to find yourself needing just one more last-minute holiday gift. Think unexpected guests, the party host you don’t really know that well, or the dreaded meet-the-family dinner invitation. Rather than tooling around the mall searching for parking or settling for the ubiquitous bottle of wine, head to one of San Diego’s farmers’ markets for gifts with your personal stamp. There’s an average of five markets every day somewhere in San Diego County where you’ll find locally produced, one-of-a-kind artisan products ranging from gourmet granola to perfect patisserie. Bottles or growlers of non-alcoholic ginger beer from San Diego Ginger Beer Company will elevate your host’s cocktail game, baked goods from Prager Brothers Artisan Breads or Grammy’s Granola add panache to brunch, or bring a showstopping croquembouche pastry tree or yule log from Le Parfait Paris at the Liberty Public Market for a memorable ending to a holiday meal.

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Elevated ice crystals lead to solar halos, Cottonwoods still showing their tawny foliage

New moon brings high tides this weekend
Next Article

Aaron Bleiweiss: has guitar, has traveled

Seattle native takes Twists and Turns to assemble local all-stars
We're not sure this turtle is stoked to be dressed as a Christmas tree for the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade.
We're not sure this turtle is stoked to be dressed as a Christmas tree for the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade.

Growing up in the Chicago area, the holidays meant snowy hills and hushed landscapes, warm, woolly scarves and mittens, puffy down coats and sturdy boots. It also meant shoveling two feet of snow off the driveway before going anywhere. I’ll just say it — dreaming of a white Christmas is highly overrated. Here in San Diego, we get festive our own way, without giving up our shorts and sandals. After all, where else does Santa come to town on a surfboard?

Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade

Place

Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade

West Harbor Drive at West Market Street, San Diego

Let your furry, feathered, or scaled friend strut its stuff at the 10th Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade. The parade starts on the corner of Fourth Avenue and K Street at the Gaslamp Hilton Park and features prizes for the best pet, human, and group costumes in nine categories, as well as a pet expo and pet talent show. The Best in Show winner will be invited to be the grand marshal of the 2018 pet parade. There’s free live music and registered guests get a complimentary goodie bag filled with unique keepsakes, samples, toys, and discounts to some of the Gaslamp Quarter’s pet-friendly restaurants and shops. Sunday, December 10, 3 p.m. Free to view, $15 per pet to participate (pre-registered), $20 day of.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

Place

Shelter Island Marina

2051 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego

How would Jack Sparrow celebrate the holidays? Find out at the 46th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights — this year’s theme is “Arrrgh! A Pirate’s Christmas”! This popular holiday boat parade will take place on two Sundays and attracts more than 100,000 spectators who line the shores from the starting point at Shelter Island to the end at the Ferry Landing in Coronado. Other areas to view the nearly 80 extravagantly decorated boats are Harbor Island, the Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and the Pier at Cesar Chavez Park. Public transportation and carpooling is encouraged — parking near the best viewing areas is limited. Sundays, December 10 and 17, 5:00 p.m. Free to view, $50–$60 to enter a vessel.

Sponsored
Sponsored

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl-iday

Place

Commons Bar

901 Fourth Avenue, San Diego

Dig into the back of your closet for that hideous holiday sweater, hat, or shirt, then head down to the Gaslamp Quarter to celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day! Starting at the Commons Bar, your friendly, knowledgeable private host will guide you to four of the Quarter’s hottest pubs, beer bars, and dance clubs. Your ticket includes complimentary VIP entry to all venues, drink specials, and an amazing after-party for all pub crawlers to dance the night away. Register online, no walk-ups. Saturday, December 16, 7:00 p.m.–1:30 a.m., $20.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Place

Old Globe Theatre

1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego

America’s favorite holiday grouch returns as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville for the 20th season of Dr. Seuss’s classic, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Veteran Broadway actor Edward Watts makes his Globe debut as the Grinch, with Steve Gunderson returning for his 15th appearance as Old Max. A sensory-friendly performance of the “Grinch,” geared toward those on the autism spectrum and their families takes place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 9. Tickets start at $24 for children and $37 for adults. November 7–December 24. $24–$119

National Comedy Theatre’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular

Place

National Comedy Theatre

3717 India Street, San Diego

Laugh your way into 2018 at the National Comedy Theatre’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular! Based on Drew Carey’s Whose Line Is It Anyway?, this fun improv comedy show takes its cue from audience suggestions. Also included is a buffet dinner before the show and a champagne toast as you count down the seconds to the New Year, as well as an after-party with the cast. This event is always a sell-out, so purchase your tickets early. All ages are welcome. Sunday, December 31, 8:30 p.m., $79

Gift shopping at farmers’ and public markets

No matter how carefully you plan, you’re likely to find yourself needing just one more last-minute holiday gift. Think unexpected guests, the party host you don’t really know that well, or the dreaded meet-the-family dinner invitation. Rather than tooling around the mall searching for parking or settling for the ubiquitous bottle of wine, head to one of San Diego’s farmers’ markets for gifts with your personal stamp. There’s an average of five markets every day somewhere in San Diego County where you’ll find locally produced, one-of-a-kind artisan products ranging from gourmet granola to perfect patisserie. Bottles or growlers of non-alcoholic ginger beer from San Diego Ginger Beer Company will elevate your host’s cocktail game, baked goods from Prager Brothers Artisan Breads or Grammy’s Granola add panache to brunch, or bring a showstopping croquembouche pastry tree or yule log from Le Parfait Paris at the Liberty Public Market for a memorable ending to a holiday meal.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Aaron Bleiweiss: has guitar, has traveled

Seattle native takes Twists and Turns to assemble local all-stars
Next Article

Gonzo Report: Jazz jam at a private party

A couple of accidental crashes at California English
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader