Farmers Insurance Open

The annual Farmers Insurance Open returns to Torrey Pines Golf Course. The four-day event brings professional golfers from around the world to compete for a chance to win over $1 million in prize money. Harris English won the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open and $1.674 million. Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. Torrey Pines Golf Course, 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. farmersinsuranceopen.com

Games Day to be held in Solana Beach

Solana Beach Community Connections (SBCC), the City of Solana Beach Parks and Recreation and Let’s Play a Game Foundation invite all to their monthly Games Day on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. This free event will take place at La Colonia Community Center located at 715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach.Lots of games to choose from such as Mexican Train, American Mahjongg to name a few. Or learn how to play chess. Let’s Play a Game Foundation will be there to introduce you to a variety of new games such as “Just One” or “Deep Sea Adventure”.The organizers can accommodate someone who would benefit from memory games. Let them know if you’re a senior in need of transportation by emailing them at info@solanabeachcc.org or call 858-284-6619.

‘Trains to Tunnels, A Brief History of the Trains in Del Mar’

Del Mar Historical Society President Larry Brooks will present the history of the railroad through Del Mar from 1880, when the train ran through Del Mar, to the time when it moved to the bluffs, and to now with the ideas of tunnels under Del Mar.The presentation will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6:30 p.m. at Del Mar Town Hall. Free for Del Mar Historical Society members, $25 donation suggested for non-members. Register at www.delmarhistoricalsociety.org. Del Mar Town Hall is located at 1050 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar.

Solana Sliders walking group

The Solana Sliders, a walking group for ages 55 and older, meets at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 5 for a guided walk led by a San Elijo Lagoon Park Ranger. Participants meet at the Annie’s Canyon trailhead on Solana Hills Drive at the lower entrance (paved path). For questions, call 858-720-2454 or email recreation program coordinator at drossi@cosb.org.

School holds expo

San Diego Jewish Academy will host a Middle & High School Expo Jan. 11, which will spotlight  new learning opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. Courses  include “Ideas to Products,” an introduction to business and entrepreneurship. One example of student innovation is a “Sip Smart” wearable device to help young people protect themselves in social settings against drugging and sexual assault. Competition opportunities include First Tech Challenge SDJA Robotics Team and Cadena Humanitarian Challenge. The festival-style event will showcase innovation, creativity, and the San Diego Jewish Academy experience. Registration and details are at sdja.com/admissions/schedule-a-tour/

San Diego Auto Show

Car, truck and sports utility vehicle enthusiasts get the opportunity to see and test drive new and unreleased vehicles at the San Diego Auto Show. Attendees can get inside new vehicle models on the showroom floor that are not for sale yet. They can also get behind the wheel and take some of the vehicles on a test drive at the car show. Plus, there is an array of electric vehicles, including a test track. The last day of the show is family day, where children 12 years and under can attend for free.10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 1-3. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 4. San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego. $12-$18. sdautoshow.com

Lightscape at Botanic Garden

The light show runs through Jan. 4 at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive. The immersive experience guides visitors through a one-mile garden trail with tunnels of lights featuring light installations designed by international artists. Installations range from California poppies and a field of fireflies to a laser garden. There will be seasonal treats. Tickets start at $28; $18 for children. Visit sdbg.org

Wild Holidays at Safari Park

Wild Holidays festivities are on select nights until 8 pm. through Jan. 4 at Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road. 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, among other festivities. “Wild Holidays” activities are free with Safari Park admission or membership. Visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.

Carlsbad Marathon

The 36th annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is back with winter racing by the ocean on Jan. 18. Races will start at The Shoppes at Carlsbad from 6:15 to 7:45 a.m. The marathon route features an 18-mile stretch along the ocean, the half marathon will showcase the beachfront for eight miles and the 5K will take runners along a scenic out-and-back route passing the Buena Vista Lagoon. There will also be a Double-Down Challenge combining the half marathon and 5k for a 16 mile run. The event will also include a variety of participant perks. The Finish Line Festival will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at The Shoppes at Carlsbad with festivities including live music, refreshments and a beer garden. The expo and packet pickup are from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at Holiday Inn Carlsbad/San Diego, 2725 Palomar Airport Road. Visit www.inmotionevents.com/event/carlsbad-marathon/

13th annual Tea by the Sea event

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host its 13th annual Tea by the Sea event on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the elegant Marine Room in La Jolla (2000 Spindrift Drive). Set against the Marine Room’s oceanfront backdrop, the event will feature a traditional tea service complemented by signature cocktails, assorted bites and hors d’oeuvres, live music, opportunity drawings, and shopping from Sophie’s Gallery. Guests are encouraged to attend in their favorite tea-time attire. Gentlemen are welcome. Proceeds benefit the Sophie’s Gallery and Art Program in downtown El Cajon, a space where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can explore their creativity Tickets are available now starting at $170 per guest. Visit teabythesea.org.

Holiday Bowl and parade

The 30th annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk is slated to start at 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 2, taking place along the bayfront, beginning at Harbor Drive and Ash St. The 5K kicks off the 46th annual Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, featuring marching bands, floats, drill teams, and a procession of huge themed-balloons at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 on North Harbor Drive along downtown San Diego’s waterfront. Street-side viewing of the parade is free. Grandstand tickets are $30. The Holiday Bowl game kicks off at Snapdragon Stadium at 5 p.m. Jan. 2. Visit holidaybowl.com

Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo

The annual holiday event through Jan. 4 at the San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, features a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, music and views of wildlife, along with a magic of Aurora immersive performance about the power of nature with 3D projection mapping, music and lights. Highlights featured at various times include Reindeer Games, Jingle Brass concerts and Holiday Troubadour along with Northern Frontier’s Holiday Forest, Zoo characters, snow and a visit with Santa. There will be food, drinks, and shopping for gifts. The zoo is open late from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this event. Free with zoo admission or membership; parking is free. Visit sandiegozoo.org/junglebells.

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

Holiday wonderland runs daily to Jan. 4 with live musical shows, faux snowfall, over a million lights, Santa and real reindeer, singing elves and the SkyTower decorated as San Diego’s largest Christmas tree along with festive food and beverages. One Million Twinkling lights, nightly snowfall and immersive holiday experiences. There’ll be a new Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special at Sea Lion Stadium and a new Mrs. Claus story time show. All included with park admission Tickets start at $61.99 during the Black Friday Sale. www.seaworldsandiego.com

La Jolla eventsLectures and learning• Wildlife biologist Doug Smith speaks on the “Wild Wolves of Yellowstone” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $36-$56. theconrad.org/events/doug-smith-wild-wolvesArt & film• The La Jolla Art Association’s Winter Holiday and Multimedia Art Exhibition features works of 14 association artists through Friday, Jan. 2, at the La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. lajollaartassociation.org• “Double Bill: The Art of Manny Farber and Patricia Patterson” runs through Sunday, Feb. 1, at the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage gallery, 780 Prospect St. It features paintings, sketches, photographs and excerpts from never-before-seen interviews. Its sister exhibition, “Manny Farber: An Up Beat Title,” runs through Saturday, Jan. 3, at Quint Gallery, 7655 Girard Ave., La Jolla. It includes a selection of Farber’s large-scale paintings. Free. lajollahistory.org/current-and-upcoming, quintgallery.com• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “A Burial in Shanghai,” an exhibit of large paintings by Chinese-born artist Yan Pei-Ming, through Sunday, Jan. 4, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. mcasd.org/exhibitions/yan-pei-ming• The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center will host a San Diego International Jewish Film Festival Sneak Peek Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, in the Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Trailers of films selected for the festival will be shown. Free. my.lfjcc.org/15701/15702• The art exhibit “Color It Contemporary” runs through Saturday, Jan. 17, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The show features the work of Grant Pecoff, Mona Ray, Sally Samins and Kelly Villasenor. Free. 858-552-1657• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library hosts the art exhibition “Nolan Oswald Dennis: Demonstrations (i)” through Saturday, Jan. 17, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2025-insite• “A Decade of Pop Prints and Multiples, 1962 to 1972: The Frank Mitzel Collection” runs through Sunday, March 15, at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibit marks the public debut of Mitzel’s gift to the museum of more than 60 pop art prints he collected over three decades. It includes works by Peter Blake, Richard Hamilton, Gerald Laing, Joe Tilson and more. mcasd.orgMusic & dance• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library and San Diego New Music present “Mythography,” the 18th annual SoundOn Festival, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 8-10, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $32-$89 for the series, $12-$32 per concert. ljathenaeum.org/events/soundon-2026-series• Musician Dean Ratzman performs jazz, ’60s, ’70s, rock and soul hits by American artists at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, in the Community Room of the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/swingin-dean-concert-488157• Le Salon de Musiques presents a classical concert featuring violinist Martin Chalifour, soprano Anna Schubert and others performing music by Liszt, Hiller and Fanny Mendelssohn beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at the La Jolla Woman’s Club, 7791 Draper Ave. The show will be introduced by musicologist Adam Gilbert and followed by a Q&A with the artists and a high tea buffet with French champagne. $69-$120. lesalondemusiques.com• Art of Elan presents “Sounds & Swells” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The show will feature surfing footage with live classical music played by the Hausmann Quartet. An artist talk will be held at 6:15 p.m. $38. theconrad.org/events/sounds-swells• The La Jolla Music Society presents a slate of activities surrounding the presentation of “Cotton,” in partnership with the San Diego Opera. “Cotton” is a multimedia song cycle of poems by prominent American poets set to music by Damian Geter, featuring the photography of John Dowell and performed by opera singers J’Nai Bridges and Justin Austin. A free panel discussion on the show’s creation will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. “Cotton” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, at The Conrad’s Baker-Baum Concert Hall ($78-$118). Austin will present a free vocal master class from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at The JAI. theconrad.org/events/cotton