With so many events, pop-up experiences, performances, special food menus and festivals to choose from during the busy holiday season, our editors are stepping up to help with recommendations for things to do.
Each week on Wednesdays through New Year’s Eve, arts and entertainment editor Pam Kragen and guides editor Abby Hamblin will recommend some can’t-miss events for readers to consider.
Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado will bring back its long-running “Festival of Christmas” series of holiday musical plays with an all-new script on Dec. 3. (Lamb’s Players Theatre)
Wednesday, Dec. 3
“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, Dec. 3, 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
“Irish Christmas in America”: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, presents this touring holiday show featuring sliggo fiddler Oisin Mac Diarmada and an irish band performing Irish holiday music, dance, songs and stories. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $42-$78. artcenter.org/event/irishchristmasinamerica2025
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
Thursday
Mariachi Sol de Mexico’s “A Very Merry-Achi Christmas”: Known as the ambassadors of mariachi, this ensemble will perform mariachi and Christmas classics, including their take on the “Nutcracker Suite” and “Feliz Navidad.” 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $58-$163. sandiegotheatres.org/event/2025/12/mariachi-sol-de-mexico
“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. Opens Thursday and runs 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
Oceanside tree lighting: An evening of holiday activities in Oceanside includes crafts and dance performances at 5 p.m., Santa’s arrival at 5:45 p.m., a tree lighting at 6 p.m., photos with Santa starting at 6:15 p.m. and more performances at 6:30 p.m. 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Regal Cinema Plaza, 401 Mission Ave., Oceanside. mainstreetoceanside.com/holiday-tree-lighting
Friday
“Movin’ Merrily Right Along: A Christmas Tribute to Jim Henson”: Tafolla Productions presents this holiday tribute to the holiday music and puppetry of The Muppets, Sesame Street and more. 8 p.m. Friday. Sunshine Brooks Theater, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside. 760-433-8900, oceansidetheatre.org
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. Friday and Saturday. Epstein Family Amphitheater, 9480 Innovation Lane, La Jolla. $30-$80. artpower.ucsd.edu/event/ginger-minj-holidayspectacular/
Matt Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O: Dapper drummer. composer and band leader Matt Wilson shines in straight-ahead and edgy jazz settings alike, as befits a musician whose collaborators have included Lee Konitz, Charlie Haden, San Diego bass master Mark Dresser and many more. Wilson’s Christmas Tree-O, featuring saxophonist Jeff Lederer, exudes enough joyous holiday spirit to illuminate any setting. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $50-$55; 858-454-5872 ljathenaeum.org/jazz
Holiday Lights: The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum’s annual Holiday Lights event transforms the historic museum grounds into a winter wonderland with a light display. Visitors will find thousands of twinkling lights, animals, festive hay rides, warm drinks, delicious food and a visit with Santa. 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, sd well as Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20. 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave., San Diego. Admission is $10, in advance online; $12 at gate; free for kids 3 and younger. agsem.org/holiday-lights-2025
December Nights: One of San Diego’s largest community events, December Nights offers live entertainment, food and drinks from around the world, and late-night access to museums. 3 to 11 p.m. Friday. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Balboa Park. Free. sandiego.gov/december-nights
Saturday
World Ballet Company presents “The Nutcracker”: This touring company will present the Russian holiday ballet with 40 international dancers in two locations. 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., downtown. $57.65-$121.40. 619-615-4180, sandiegotheatres.org; and also at 7 p.m. Wednesday at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $60-$138. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org
San Diego Children’s Choir’s 36th Winter Concerts: More than 300 young singers ages 6 to 18 will perform holiday classics, global choral works and sing-alongs in a pair of concerts on Dec. 6. The preparatory, youth, premiere and chamber choirs will perform at 1:30 p.m. The apprentice, intermediate and premiere choirs will perform at 5 p.m. First United Methodist Church, 2111 Camino del Rio South, San Diego. $16.20-$26.65. sdcchoir.org/calendar
Bach Collegium San Diego: Handel’s Messiah: Performing Messiah in the manner of Handel’s dramatic operas, Bach Collegium’s version of the famous oratorio is one of its crown jewels. It will be presented in two locations this weekend. 7 p.m. Saturday. The Baker-Baum Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Faye Ave., La Jolla. $38-$73. Also at 4 p.m. Sunday. First United Methodist Church, 2111 Camino del Rio South, Mission Valley. $15-$70. 619-341-1726, bachcollegiumsd.org/messiah
KSON Country Christmas, featuring Tucker Wetmore, Ty Myers, Hudson Westbrook, Vincent Mason and Mackenzie Carpenter: Intriguingly, the two most promising artists in this five-act concert are the two opening acts. Georgia-bred songstress Mackenzie Carpenter, 25, has two promising albums to her credit and has co-written hits for Megan Moroney and Lily Rose. Fellow Georgia-bred troubadour Vincent Mason, also 25, has a rootsy style and an impressive command of understatement, a quality all too rare in country music these days. 7 p.m. Saturday. FrontWave Arena, 3475 Hero Drive, Oceanside. $206.50-$446.50. frontwavearena.com
Chula Vista parade, tree lighting and festival: The Starlight Parade and Festival returns with a parade, holiday market, children’s holiday train ride, tree lighting, live entertainment and photos with Santa. The lighting of a 25-foot tree takes place at 5:45 p.m. on the plaza at the northeast corner of Memorial Park, 373 Park Way. The parade starts at 6 p.m. and goes from H Street to E Street, featuring marching bands, decorated floats, automobiles and dance teams, among other entries. 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Memorial Park and Park Way. Free. starlightparade.com.
Jake Shimabukuro returns to San Diego for his annual holiday concert performance, (Courtesy of Irvine Barclay Theatre)
Sunday
Jake Shimabukuro’s “Holidays in Hawaii”: Honolulu-born ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro returns to San Diego for his fourth consecutive December holiday show in as many years. It will feature his four string-fueled renditions of seasonal favorites and some original compositions from his 2023 double-album, “Grateful,” which teams him with a who’s who of Hawaiian music stalwarts. Shimabukuro will be accompanied here by singer-guitarist Justin Kawika Young and bassist Jackson Waldhoff. 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. $66.55-$111.80. 858-481-8140. bellyup.com
West Coast Dance Complex presents “The Nutcracker”: Clara journeys through a shimmering Land of Snow and into the dazzling Kingdom of Sweets in this “Nutcracker” production, performed by pre-professionals from the Carmel Valley-based school. Live music by the Winecreek Ensemble Orchestra accompanies the show. 6 p.m. Sunday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $66-$84. 800-988-4253, artcenter.org
Holiday market: At the Holly Jolly Holiday Market at North City, the public can shop for gifts from over 175 vendors with items such as skin care products, home decor accessories and handmade artwork. There will also be food vendors, live holiday music and an appearance from Santa Claus. Admission is free and parking is complimentary at North City. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 250 North City Drive, San Marcos. northcity.com/events/holiday-market
Monday
“Gentri: Christmas”: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, presents this Utah-born American tenor trio on its 10th anniversary holiday concert concert. 7:30 p.m. Monday. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $45-$165. artcenter.org/event/gentri-christmas
The California Note Catchers Holiday Concert: This women’s choir will perform traditional and classical holiday songs. 7 p.m. Monday. Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church, 455 Church Way, El Cajon. Donations accepted at the door. californianotecatchers.com
The Blind Boys of Alabama — Sterling Glass, Ricky McKinnie, JW Smith and Joey Williams — will perform a holiday show at the Belly Up. (Cole Weber)
Tuesday
Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, with Ben Powell: This legendary gospel-music vocal group will perform a Christmas concert that mixes holiday standards with selections from their Grammy-winning Christmas album. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach. $60.80. 858-481-8140. bellyup.com
Stubby Pringle’s Christmas”: Trinity Theatre Company’s Playwrights Saloon presents a reading of Jack Schaefer’s cowboy Christmas musical play about a young wrangler with a big heart who makes an unforgettable Christmas Eve ride. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Trinity Theatre, Mission Valley shopping center, 1640 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 129, San Diego. Pay what you can tickets start at $10. trinityttc.org