Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Dec. 19 to Sunday, Dec. 21.
Friday
Coastal Christmas: For 10 days, the Del Mar Fairgrounds is transformed into a holiday festival with light displays, a skating rink, a vendor market and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. The event also features a “wine walk,” which is a wine-tasting walkway for adults 21 years and older that includes a souvenir tasting cup. The family-friendly area has bounce houses, a synthetic ice skating rink, food and drink vendors and an area decorated like the North Pole with Santa Claus. Tickets start at $26.98 for adults and $20.61 for children. On select days through Dec. 26. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. 858-755-1161, coastalchristmasdelmar.com
“La Pastorela: A Shepherd’s Tale”: Teatro Máscara Mágica will present Timothy Paul Evans’ 37th anniversary pastorela play about the shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem on the first Christmas. The bilingual faith-based play will be performed mostly in English with Christmas carols sung in Spanish in two locations.7 p.m. today through Tuesday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. at Southwestern College Performing Arts Center, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista. $10-$25. 619-987-5616, tickettailor.com/events/teatromscaramgica.
Family Hanukkah Party: Congregation B’nai Tikvah will hold its annual community Hanukkah party and latke contest. There will be latkes and donuts for dinner. Bring your menorah and candles to light. There will be Hanukkah songs led by Cantor Larry Kornit and retelling of the Hanukkah story. Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food and coats to donate. 6 p.m. Friday. Masonic Center, 1331 S. Escondido Blvd. Free. 760-650-2262, bnaitikvahsd.org.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors”: Genesis Opera Theatre presents Gian-Carlo Menotti’s 1951 one-act, English-language Christmas opera inspired by the story of a poor disabled boy who meets three wise kings on their way to meet the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The production is directed by Cynthia Leigh with musical direction by Abraham Fabella. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Trinity Episcopal Church, 845 Chestnut St., Escondido. $30.95-$41.95. genesisoperatheatre.com
Golden State Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”: Choreographed by artistic director Raul Salamanca, the downtown production includes spectacular sets, elaborate costumes, and professional dancers and students from the award-winning academy. John Stubbs conducts a live orchestra from the San Diego Symphony. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $58.40-$199.75. Youth discounts available. goldenstateballet.org
‘Wild Holidays’ at Safari Park: During the “Wild Holidays” festivities, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will stay open until 8 p.m. Entertainment includes the “Light Up the Holidays” choreographed lighted tree show, Bridge of Lights, Enchanted Lagoon and visits with Santa along with Holiday Troubadour, Forest of Color and Nairobi Lantern Walk. Dec. 19-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 4 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road,“Wild Holidays” activities are free with Safari Park admission or membership. Visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.
San Diego Civic Youth Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”: Celebrate the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s 80th Anniversary Season with a trip to the Enchanted Land of Sweets. Danika Pramik-Holdaway directs the students of the Balboa Park-based company in the annual “Nutcracker” production. 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Casa del Prado Theater, Balboa Park $27. 619-259-0220, sdcyb.org
Coronado Playhouse Holiday Cabaret: Coronado Playhouse presents its annual holiday concert featuring sing-along favorites, directed by Desha Crownover Suited for all ages. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. 1835 Strand Way, Coronado. $14-$24. 619-435-4856, coronadoplayhouse.org
Camarada presents “Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz”: Camarada’s annual all-star concert is a consistent crowd-pleaser, thanks to a musical lineup that features some of San Diego’s leading jazz and classical musicians. This year’s lineup features flutist and Camarada co-founder Beth Ross Buckley, guitarist Peter Sprague, multi-lingual singer Allison Adams Tucker, pianist Danny Green, flutist and saxophonist Tripp Sprague, bassist Mackenzie Leighton and percussion mainstay Duncan Moore. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Faye Ave., La Jolla. $28-$98. camarada.org
San Diego Symphony: “Noel, Noel”: Conductor Christopher Dragon leads the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Master Chorale, Children’s Choir and Musical Theatre Academy in this annual musical tale of Noel the Elf’s music-filled journey to find Santa. Jonathan Gilmer directs. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 6 p.m. Saturday; 5 p.m. Sunday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $37-$125. 619-235-0804, theshell.org
Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo: The zoo’s annual holiday season celebration kicks off Friday and runs through Jan. 4. In addition to later zoo hours, there will be a brass ensemble playing holiday tunes, reindeer games, acrobatic elves and a cappella quartet and other entertainment. Visit Santa’s Factory or listen to Dr. Zoolittle’s One Wild Night Before Christmas. Visitors will also find a range of holiday light displays. Jungle Bells is part of regular admission prices. San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive. sandiegozoo.org/junglebells
Saturday
Christmas Tree Wonderlights show: The Forum Carlsbad holds holiday festivities, including visits with Santa. A Christmas Tree Wonderlights choreographed light and music show on the Christmas tree near Anthropologie is daily on the hour from 5 to 9 p.m. until Dec. 25. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 20-21 at 1923 Calle Barcelona. theforumcarlsbad.com/news/the-forum-carlsbad-a-festive-holiday-season-2025.
Night at the Mechanized Museum (requires base access): An old landmark from the beginning of Camp Pendleton’s history in the early 1940s will serve as the venue for a base-wide holiday party. Santa is slated to make a grand entrance by WW II Jeep at 6 p.m. The 1st Marine Division Jazz Combo will perform and there will be festive drinks and snacks. Base access credentials are required. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mech, Bldg. 2612 Vandegrift Blvd.
Vintage Marine Corps vehicles will be spotlighted at Camp Pendleton museum’s holiday open house
City Ballet of San Diego presents “The Nutcracker”: Carolers sing holiday songs in the lobby before the Victorian-era, full-length ballet, choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich. The City Ballet orchestra, directed by John Nettles, performs the Tchaikovsky score for this Tommy Award-winning production known for its superb dance artists. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Tuesday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7:30 p.m. Monday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $63.60-$142.80. 800-988-4253, cityballet.org
San Diego Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”: The San Diego Ballet has a residency with the San Diego Museum of Art, and its season productions are inspired by works of art. The theme of this year’s “Nutcracker” is illusionism because it brings a magical world to life with ballerinas, fairies and flying snowflakes. 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon. The times stated on the Ticketmaster and The Magnolia site are one hour before showtime. $59-$135. Group discount. 619-294-7378, sandiegoballet.org
Community events in San Diego County: From Jingle Jets to Jungle Bells
Southern California Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”: Now in its 35th year, SCB’s “Nutcracker” will feature more than 100 dancers of all ages, inclduing professional guest artists from around the world. 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. Sunday. Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road, Poway. $40-$70, discounts for students, seniors and military. 858-748-0505, powaycenter.com
Sunday
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: The San Diego Bay waters light up for the holidays. The 55th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights brings together close to 80 boats that are decorated with lights and holiday decorations. The parade starts at Shelter Island and flows around the San Diego Bay through Harbor Island, Seaport Village, The Embarcadero, Crosby Park and Observation Pier near Barrio Logan, and ends at the Coronado Ferry Landing. 5:30 pm. Sunday. Free. sdparadeoflights.org
Posada del Tianguis de la Raza: This will be a family-friendly cultural event with pinatas, free gifts for kids and a market for buying gifts. Los Paisanos will perform at 4:10 p.m. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Centro Cultural de la Raza. centroculturaldelaraza.org
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: The San Diego Bay waters light up again this weekend for the 55th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. Nearly 80 boats will be decorated with lights and holiday decorations. The parade starts at Shelter Island and flows around the San Diego Bay through Harbor Island, Seaport Village, The Embarcadero, Crosby Park and Observation Pier near Barrio Logan, and ends at the Coronado Ferry Landing. 5:30 pm. Sunday . Free. sdparadeoflights.org
The Christmas story will be told through live nativities across San Diego
Christmas with Leonard Patton & Friends: San Diego vocal great Leonard Patton counts Pat Metheny and Paul Simon among his high-profile Fans. A two-decade veteran of Lamb’s Players Theatre productions, Patton has been the featured vocalist in national commercials for Pizza Hut, Coca-Cola and NASCAR. He opened his intimate jazz supper club, The Jazz Lounge in 2021 and has been steadily building momentum ever since. Patton’s holiday shows are especially uplifting showcases for consistently svelte and soulful vocals. 5:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday; and 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday. The Jazz Lounge, 6818 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. $60 (concert and dinner), $40 (concert only). 619-368-9374. thejazzlounge.live
“An Irish Christmas”: Kerry Irish Productions presents this holiday concert that combines Irish holiday music and carols with Irish dancing featuring dancers from Riverdance, Lord of the Dance and Celtic Wings. 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $46.35-$101.15. sandiegotheatres.org
GRAND POSADA at Chula Vista Center: This family-friendly event will include folklorico, Santa photos, cultural exhibitions and other entertainment. There will also be a toy giveaway, art workshops and an artisan market. 3 p.m. Sunday. Chula Vista Center, 555 Broadway, Suite 1019, Chula Vista. Free. chulavistacenter.com/grand-posada