|
LEGOLAND® California Tree
Lighting Ceremony
December 1
It's a tree you have to see to believe. More than 245,000 forest green DUPLO bricks will click together to create this 30-foot tall holiday tree that can only be seen at LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad. It’s also adorned with 240 ornaments and 100 holiday candles. The tree lighting is just the beginning of a great holiday season at LEGOLAND. 760-918-LEGO www.legoland.com/california
Taste of Christmas - Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside
December 4 
From 6 –9pm, experience gourmet food provided by local restaurants along with the breathtaking sight of 1,000 glowing luminerias. Enjoy Franciscan hospitality, strolling carolers and holiday hand bell ringers. There’s even a drawing for exciting giveaways and great entertainment. This festive evening in the garden is a fundraiser, which allows the Mission to carry on an educational, historical and cultural presence in the greater community. Cost: $35 and includes food and one drink ticket for a glass of wine or a shot of holiday spirit, such as a delicious Mission Mocha. Information: call 760-757-3651 x146 or visit www.sanluisrey.org
27th Annual Christmas Tree Lane
December 5 - December 6
This two-day event at the Center for the Arts in Escondido offers participants an opportunity to win beautifully decorated Christmas trees complete with gifts at two fabulous fashion shows, a “Breakfast with Santa” for children and a wonderful formal Gala Dinner and dance. Funds from this event support programs and services for over 20,000 deserving youth in Borrego Springs, Escondido, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego and Valley Center. 866-SDYOUTH www.sdyouth.org
Encinitas Holiday Parade
December 6
Festivities will kick off at 5pm with a Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Lumberyard shopping center courtyard on Coast Highway 101. The Parade begins at 5:30pm, heading south along Coast Highway 101 from D Street to J Street. Call 760-633-2740 or visit www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Holiday Wonderland - Del Mar 
December 7
Holiday Wonderland is a festive community event that brings residents, visitors and kids of all ages together to celebrate the holiday season. Holiday entertainment and activities encompass the entire downtown area and include tasty samples from over 20 local restaurants, a Holiday Gift Bazaar, horse and carriage rides, live music, a visit from Santa, a fun zone, arts and crafts and the famous cake walk. The day culminates with a tree lighting ceremony at dusk at the L'Auberge outside amphitheatre. www.delmarmainstreet.com
Garden of Lights at Quail Botanical Gardens
December 11-23, 26-30
The Gardens celebrates the holidays with their annual celebration of joy, family and holiday magic and goodwill. Over 100,000 lights will illuminate the Gardens. Festivities include horse drawn wagon rides, food and shopping. For more information, call 760-436-3036 or visit www.qbgardens.org
Annual Christmas Parade Escondido
December 13
Watch the Christmas Parade on Broadway between Escondido High School and Grape Day Park from 9am–noon. From 11am–8pm, there’s a 2nd Saturday Art Walk where 25 galleries, studios, museums, local theaters and the Escondido Antique District open their doors to the public. Experience Escondido Art at its finest through artists’ talks, artists’ receptions, open rehearsals, music and more. From 5-9pm, enjoy free horse and carriage rides from in front of Mingei International Museum, 155 W. Grand Avenue. From 6-8pm, visit Santa and a get a free photo. From 6-9pm, there’s free live jazz in front of Bank of Escondido, 200 W. Grand Avenue. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy this special music event. For more information, email info@escondidojaycees.org or visit www.escondidojaycees.org
Parade of Lights Dinner Cruises 
December 21
Celebrate the holidays with a Hornblower dinner cruise during the Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. During this event, sponsored by the Port of San Diego, boaters light up the harbor with festive lights and decorations while fireworks light the sky, beginning at 5:30pm. The seated dinner cruise option includes a boarding glass of champagne, three-course seated dinner, holiday decor, DJ hosted entertainment and spectacular views of the boat parade. The buffet dinner cruise option includes a boarding glass of champagne, unlimited coffee, tea, soda and juice, buffet dinner, holiday decor, DJ hosted entertainment and spectacular views of the boat parade. For more information, call 619-686-8715 or visit www.hornblower.com
First Night Escondido
December 31
Join the biggest and best family-friendly New Year's Eve party in San Diego North. Each year, First Night Escondido presents an event that celebrates community, the arts, and the New  Year with 12 stages of music and dance, the best of restaurant and vendor foods, hands-on art activities and two dazzling fireworks displays. Events held from 6pm-midnight at the California Center for the Arts. Admission is $10 prior to December 25 and $15 after the 25th. Kids under 6 are free. 760-420-9701 www.firstnightescondido.com
Kids' New Year's Eve Party – LEGOLAND
December 31
The party kicks off with fun entertainment in the Festival Center beginning at 3pm as the New Year countdown begins. Enjoy the fireworks extravaganza at 6pm. For more information, call 760-918-LEGO or visit www.legoland.com/california
|
