Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 15 to Friday, Dec. 19.<\/p>\n
Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.<\/p>\n
Monday<\/p>\n
Light Up Oceanside: Chabad Jewish Center of Oceanside\/Vista holds its annual community-wide Hanukkah celebration, themed \u201cLight Up Oceanside.\u201d Highlights include lighting of a giant 16-foot menorah, donuts, latkes and hot cocoa along with live DJ, fire show and Gelt drop. 5:30 p.m. Monday. Regal Cinema Plaza, 401 Mission Ave. Admission is free. jewishoceanside.com<\/a><\/p>\n Hanukkah Festivities:\u00a0Seaport Village is partnering with the Chabad of Downtown San Diego to host a family-friendly Hanukkah event from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15 in the lighthouse district, including live music, festive performers and the traditional lighting of the menorah. Visit\u00a0https:\/\/www.seaportvillage.com\/events\/hanukkah-25<\/a><\/p>\n A guide to San Diego area community events for Hanukkah\u2013the Festival of Lights<\/a><\/p>\n Silent Movie Mondays: As part of its silent movie series, the Balboa Theatre will play a double feature of \u201cOld Scrooge\u201d (1926) and \u201cA Dog\u2019s Life\u201d (1918). Organist Ken Double will accompany the films, and there will be a post-film conversation with Double and Kristian Perez-Franco, exhibitions senior manager at Media Arts Center. 7 p.m. Monday. Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego. $28. sandiegotheatres.org\/events\/detail\/old-scrooge-1913-and-a-dog-s-life-1918-2025<\/a><\/p>\n Derrick R. Cartwright author event: Derrick Cartwright is director of curatorial affairs at the Timken Museum of Art and an associate professor of art history at the University of San Diego. He will discuss his new book \u201cWayne Thiebaud: A Radical Realism.\u201d 7:30 p.m. Monday. Warwick\u2019s, 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. Free. $55 for book and reserved seats. warwicks.com\/event\/cartwright-2025<\/a><\/p>\n Holidays at LEGOLAND: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display through Jan. 4.\u00a0 Throughout the holidays, the park\u2019s 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\u2019 New Year\u2019s Eve Party is Dec. 31. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. LEGOLAND California, One Legoland Drive.\u00a0legoland.com\/california<\/a>.<\/p>\n SeaWorld Christmas Celebration:\u00a0Holiday 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\u2019s largest Christmas tree along with festive food and beverages. One Million Twinkling lights, nightly snowfall and immersive holiday experiences. There\u2019ll be a new Clyde & Seamore\u2019s 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.\u00a0www.seaworldsandiego.com<\/a><\/p>\n Belmont Park\u2019s Winter Wonder:\u00a0The\u00a0 annual event at the beachside amusement park, 3146 Mission Blvd., runs through Jan. 4 with hundreds of twinkling lights, carolers, holiday-themed treats and drinks and special events on weekends. Attractions include the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Peppermint Putt Putt at Tiki Wonderland and Candy Cane Lanes Go Karts and and Polar Plunge. Tickets and passes are at\u00a0belmontpark.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tuesday<\/p>\n \u201cNutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet\u201d: Talmi Entertainment\u2019s 34th annual holiday touring production is visiting 100 cities this fall. The production features Ukrainian dancers, puppetry and acrobatics. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $74.60-$135.75. sandiegosymphony.org\/performances\/nutcracker-2025<\/a><\/p>\n Menorah Lighting at One Paseo: A community menorah lighting celebration will include festive music, donuts, hot latkes, face painting and balloons along with traditional lighting ceremony. 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Koi Pond at One Paseo, 3725 Paseo Place. onepaseo.com\/events\/menorah-lighting\/<\/a><\/p>\n Wednesday<\/p>\n \u2018Cygnet\u2019s A Magical Holiday Celebration!\u2019: Cygnet Theatre\u2019s education and outreach director Carlos Mendoza presents this holiday song-and-dance show for all ages. Inspired by the annual Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, the high-energy show will feature performances of songs including \u201cAll I Want for Christmas is You,\u201d \u201cFeliz Navidad\u201d and \u201cRockin\u2019 Around the Christmas Tree.\u201d 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Through Dec. 28. The Dottie Studio Theatre, The Joan, 2880 Roosevelt Road, Arts District, Liberty Station, San Diego. $83. 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.org<\/a><\/p>\n Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse Resort:\u00a0One of the most family-friendly pop-up experiences, Lakehouse Resort throws an annual holiday festival with candy cane cruises on Lake San Marcos as a highlight. Seasonal drinks will be for sale for all ages. Activities include a frozen fun zone, a train, a s\u2019mores station, bounce houses and more. Groups of families and friends can rent out igloos with fire pits, s\u2019mores, charcuterie, wine and family dinners. Early bird prices are available online through Nov. 26. Prices vary per activity.\u00a0Nov. 28 to Dec. 26. 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos. $10 admission for ages 10 or older, free for kids under age 10.\u00a0events.thelakehouseresort.com\/e\/winter-wonderland-at-lakehouse-resort-2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201c2 Pianos, 4 Hands\u201d: North Coat Repertory Theatre presents Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt\u2019s autobiographical comedy with music about two aspiring concert pianists who grow up as friends and then enemies before making their peace with music. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Dec. 31. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $70.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cBurnout Paradise\u201d: La Jolla Playhouse presents a return engagement of Australia\u2019s Pony Cam troupe performing their audience-interactive treadmill-of life comedic show that was the hit of the 2025 WOW Festival. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Potiker Theatre,La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $49-$59. 858-550-1010,\u00a0lajollaplayhouse.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d: Cygnet Theatre\u2019s 10th anniversary production of Charles Dickens\u2019 redemptive holiday tale about miserly Victorian money-lender Ebenezer Scrooge has debuted at Cygnet\u2019s new home theater, The Joan. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 24. Joseph Clayes III Theater, The Joan. $73. 619-337-1525. cygnettheatre.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA Christmas Story\u201d: San Diego Musical Theatre brings back this holiday musical adaptation of the beloved 1983 film about Ralphie, a precocious boy in 1940 Indiana who dreams of getting a a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. This will be the second time the company will produce the popular show. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. SDMT Stage, 4650 Mercury St., San Diego. $30-$75. 858-560-5740, sdmt.org<\/a><\/p>\n Thursday<\/p>\n Festival of Lights at the Highlands: The event, hosted by Congregation Beth Am, will feature the lighting of the 5th night candles, singing and donuts along with other treats. There will be a musical revue by San Diego\u2019s Jewish theatrical company, Shayna Punims, titled \u201cHanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.\u201d 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Outside the Cinepolis movie theater at the Del Mar Highlands Town Center, 12925 El Camino Real. betham.com\/event\/cbaevent121825<\/a><\/p>\n Wine & Lecture \u2014 El Presidio de San Diego: SDSU lecturer, author and historian Richard Carrico will discuss El Presidio Real de San Diego. 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Coronado Historical Association Lecture Hall, 1100 Orange Ave., Coronado. $15 members, $20 nonmembers. coronadohistory.org\/calendar\/event\/wine-lecture-el-presidio-de-san-diego\/<\/a><\/p>\n Coastal Christmas at fairgrounds: The Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts Coastal Christmas, a festival with holiday light attractions. Highlights include a walk-through display of more than 1 million lights, \u201cglice\u201d skating, a holiday market, Frosty\u2019s Fun Zone, Holiday Wine Walk and Santa and Friends. Igloos and fireside lounges can be reserved for cozying with some hot cocoa. S\u2019mores kits, festive food and drinks will be sold. 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Tickets start at $26.98 for adults and $20.61 for kids on select nights. Admission is free for kids 3 and younger. The Holiday Wine Walk is $54.99. Promotional nights include military, first responders and nurses, seniors and students. Also, the first 1,000 kids get in free Dec. 14 if they bring one unwrapped toy for children in need, and general admission tickets are buy one, get one free on Dec. 18. delmarfairgrounds.com\/events\/2025\/coastal-christmas<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jingle Jets: The USS Midway Museum will be decked with more than a million lights as part of its \u201cJingle Jets\u201d holiday light show and festivities from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on select nights from Nov. 28 to Dec. 30. Highlights include\u00a0Holiday Dancing Light Show, Midway\u2019s Magical Penguin Search, Christmas Carol Karaoke, Bring Your Dog Night, Santa\u2019s Christmas Rush Virtual Reality Ride and expanded Reindeer Games, among other festivities. Holiday eats & treats will be sold. Tickets are $20-$30 and sold only online; discounts for museum members; free for children 3 and younger. Visit\u00a0midway.org\/event\/jingle-jets-2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cRent\u201d: New Village Arts presents an intimate staging of Jonathan Larson\u2019s musical about one year in the life of a group of friends in 1990 struggling to create art and survive in AIDS-plagued New York. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 24. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $35-$80. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org<\/a><\/p>\n Friday<\/p>\n Bingo Loco:\u00a0What started in Ireland is now arriving in San Diego. Bingo Loco is an interactive game night filled with dance competitions, lip sync battles, prizes, comedy hosts and DJs playing throwback anthems from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Bingo Loco is for individuals 21 years of age and older.\u00a05:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 27. Quartyard,\u00a01301 Market St., San Diego.\u00a0us.bingoloco.com\/san-diego<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Camarada presents \u201cCharlie Brown Jingles & Jazz\u201d: Camarada\u2019s annual all-star concert is a consistent crowd-pleaser, thanks to a musical lineup that features some of San Diego\u2019s leading jazz and classical musicians. This year\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n Family Hanukkah Party:\u00a0Congregation B\u2019nai Tikvah will hold its annual community Hanukkah Party and Latke Contest on the sixth night of Hanukkah at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Masonic Center, 1331 S. Escondido Blvd. There will be latkes and donuts for dinner. Bring your menorah and seven candles to light. There will be Hanukkah songs led by Cantor Larry Kornit and retelling of the Hanukkah story. Free. Bring something dairy to share at the party and non-perishable food for Interfaith Community Services along with gently used coats, hoodies, shirts to donate to Sharia\u2019s Closet that provides emergency clothing in the San Diego State area. For more information, call 760-650-2262 or visit\u00a0bnaitikvahsd.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n San Diego Civic Youth Ballet presents \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d: Celebrate the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet\u2019s 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 \u201cNutcracker\u201d 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cMistletoe Melodies\u201d with Erica Marie!: San Diego musical theater performer Erica Marie Weisz presents her jazz-and-classics holiday cabaret show at two local theaters in December. 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. White Family Stage, New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $28-$33. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLa Pastorela: A Shepherd\u2019s Tale\u201d: Teatro M\u00e1scara M\u00e1gica will present Timothy Paul Evans\u2019 37th anniversary pastorela play about the shepherds\u2019 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. Friday 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.<\/a><\/p>\n San Diego Symphony: \u201cNoel, Noel\u201d: Conductor Christopher Dragon leads the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Master Chorale, Children\u2019s Choir and Musical Theatre Academy in this annual musical tale of Noel the Elf\u2019s 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. $55-$125. 619-235-0804, theshell.org<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAmahl and the Night Visitors\u201d: Genesis Opera Theatre presents Gian-Carlo Menotti\u2019s 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<\/a><\/p>\n Golden State Ballet presents \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d: 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. Fiday; 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<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 15…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":55735,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[74,76,75,420,1696],"class_list":["post-95689","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-diego","tag-san-diego","tag-san-diego-headlines","tag-san-diego-news","tag-things-to-do","tag-top-stories-sdut"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95689"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95689\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}