Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 1 to Friday, Dec. 5.
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.
Monday
LEGOLAND tree lighting: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display through Jan. 4 as part of Holidays at LEGOLAND. The annual tree lighting ceremony is at 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 1. Throughout the holidays, the park’s 30-foot LEGO tree decked with lights and LEGO ornaments built out of more than 350,000 LEGO and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive LEGO models or costumed characters such as a LEGO Santa, toy soldier, gingerbread man and elf characters. The annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party is Dec. 31. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. LEGOLAND California, One Legoland Drive. legoland.com/california.
Sam Quinones in conversation with Scott Sutherland: The journalist and author will discuss “The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work with” tuba player Scott Sutherland. This event will be streamed by C-SPAN. 7:30 p.m. Monday. Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. $29.99 for book and reserved seat. warwicks.com/event/quinones-2025
Library Shop Mission Hills grand opening: The Library Foundation is celebrating the opening of its new Library Shop with a week of events. 925 W. Washington St., San Diego. libraryfoundationsd.org/events/libraryshopmh
Parkway Plaza: The shopping center Parkway Plaza is hosting several holiday events in December, starting with a pet night on Monday. The pet night event allows dogs, cats and their owners to take photos with Santa Claus from 5 to 8 p.m. On Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the public can enjoy the cookies with Santa Claus event with free treats, an arts and crafts area, story time and play time with puppies from dog rescue organization The Animal Pad. On Dec. 14, there will be a special sensory-friendly session with Santa from 9 to 10 a.m. Also, every Wednesday, the public is invited to Santa Claus’ PJ party. Plus starting Dec. 12, Parkway Plaza will be giving away gift cards from mall retail stores. 415 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon. 619-579-9932, amusemattebooksanta.com/parkway-plaza
‘Dickens Unscripted’: IMPRO Theatre presents this holiday comedy inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” A troupe of actors will perform an improvised version of the classic story from audience suggestions. 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
Tuesday
Touring production of ‘Swan Lake’ lands in San Diego on Tuesday: Classical Arts Entertainment’s International full-scale ballet production of “Swan Lake” features a large-scale cast and scenery. 2 p.m. Tuesday. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $61.75-$109.35. sandiegotheatres.org
Wednesday
Tree Lighting: La Valencia Hotel will be open to the public for a tree-lighting event with a performance from the UCSD Madrigal Singers, cookie decorating and letter-writing to Santa. From 6 to 9 p.m., there will also be live music. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St., San Diego. Free. lavalencia.com/events/la-jolla/annual-tree-lighting-ceremony
‘Festival of Christmas: Let it Be Christmas’: Over the past 47 years, Lamb’s Players Theatre’s associate artistic director Kerry Meads has written dozens of original holiday plays with music under the collective title “Festival of Christmas.” This year’s all-new script, “Let it Be Christmas,” will feature a cast of 11 Lamb’s veteran performers presenting a mix of Christmas stories in the styles of Shakespeare, Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, as well as a mix of sacred, secular, classics and pop songs and music. Opens Wednesday and runs through Dec. 28. 7 Tuesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m.Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Lamb’s Players Theatre, 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado. $49-$98. 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
Thursday
Escondido Community in Unity: This annual holiday season-opening event features live holiday music, food and drinks. Bring new, unwrapped toys and pajamas. Pajamas of all sizes will benefit the children and teens of Solutions for Change; toys for boys and girls, ages 4 to 12, will benefit the Escondido Police Athletic League. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 at Escondido City Hall, 201 N. Broadway. Tickets are $40; $50 at door. business.escondidochamber.org
Holiday Movie Trivia: Compete with other San Diegans to answer questions about holiday films. First and second place teams win prizes. 7 p.m. Thursday. Con Haus, 8361 Allison Ave., San Diego. Free. coinhaus.com
‘How to Write a Holiday’: North Coast Repertory Theatre will host a reading of of a new comedy written and directed by Rachael VanWormer and Omri Schein about a holiday family weekend gone horribly wrong. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $25. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org
‘Mrs. Claus’ Holiday Hullaba-Two: Holly Jollywood’: Patio Playhouse Community Theatre presents this new Christmas show with a cast of 40 young actors. When a producer plans to film a Netflix-style holiday special at the North Pole, the elves pack their bags for Hollywood. Runs Thursday through 14. 7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 201 E. Grand Ave., Suite 1D, Escondido. $12.62-$17.82. 760-746-6669, patioplayhouse.com
Fireside Frights: Hidden San Diego founder Jessica D. Johnson will host an evening featuring tales of haunted history in San Diego County. 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Escondido Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido. Free. Registration required. escondido.libcal.com/event/15521605
Friday
Ginger Minj’s Holiday Spectacular: Ginger Minj, winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 10, is bringing her holiday show to La Jolla. The event will include campy holiday classic songs, costumes, humor and decor. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $30-$80. artpower.ucsd.edu/event/ginger-minj-holidayspectacular
‘Movin’ Merrily Right Along: A Christmas Tribute to Jim Henson’ Oceanside Theatre Company presents Tafolla Productions’ holiday musical tribute to the music of The Muppets, Sesame Street and more, with songs, comedy and puppetry. 8 p.m. Dec. 5. Sunshine Brooks Theater, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside. $28-$43. 760-433-8900, oceansidetheatre.org
December Nights at Balboa Park: Holiday festival from 3 to 11 p.m. Dec. 5 and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 6 at Balboa Park. The family-friendly event features holiday lights, sounds, entertainment and food. Visit sandiego.gov/december-nights.