Holiday Events in La Jolla and San Diego!

San Diego Zoo's "Jungle Bells" Celebration - December 10 - January 2nd
Start a new WILD holiday tradition by visiting the San Diego Zoo during Jungle Bells. This year’s celebration will feature special Jumping, Jamming Elves, light shows, a magical show of music and paint, nightly tree-lighting ceremony, bell ringers filling the air with music, lots of chances to meet our wintery animals up close and much, much more.

Visit Santa at his workshop on Front Street and remind him you belong on the “nice” list this year. The “Wizards of Winter” (aka SPLASH! Animals – Holiday Style) will have a special holiday- themed show at Wegeforth Bowl. Two times a night, guests can watch as talented artists working to the beat of rocking holiday tunes quickly turn huge blank canvases into works of animal art. Nightly 5:30pm and 7pm.

Dr. Zoolittle will read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” – Zoo style – at 4, 5, 6, and 7 p.m. in the Children’s Zoo Clarke Theater. Take a terrific ride on the Tinseltown Trolley, and enjoy singing carols as you take a short and unique tour of the Zoo. From 3 to 8 nightly. The Jumping, Jamming Elves will make you gasp as they seem to defy gravity while they dance in the air. 3:30, 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30pm.

Stroll down Candy Cane Lane to the Treehouse “Blitzen” Light Experience, a light show that covers our Treehouse Plaza, will delight guests every 15 minutes from 5 to 7pm.

For more information about Jungle Bells, go to www.sandiegozoo.org.

Holiday of Lights - Del Mar Fairgrounds

Nightly through Sunday, January 2, 2011
Sunday - Thursday 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Friday and Saturday 5:30pm - 10:30pm
http://www.sdfair.com/holidayoflights/dates.html for tickets and information!

La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla - Saturday, December 18 - January 1, 2011

Sunday Brunch with Santa - December 19th 11:00am - 3:00pm
Mediterranean Room and Patio
Award Winning Brunch with a special guest appearance from Santa!
http://www.lavalencia.com/

Kid's Festival at the La Valencia
December 20th - December 23rd 5:00pm - 7:00pm
La Sala Lounge and Galeria Room
Bring the family for a special photo with Santa, gingerbread house decorating, and readings of traditional holiday stories!

Christmas Eve Dining - Friday, December 24th
Mediterranean Room & Ocean View Terrace
Whaling Bar & Grill
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - Call 858-454-0771

Christmas Day Dining - Saturday, December 25th
Christmas Day Buffett
Mediterranean Room & Ocean View Terrace
Whaling Bar & Grill
or
Christmas in the Sky Room
5 course meal
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - Call 858-454-0771

Sparking 101 - Tuesday, December 28th 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Sky Room
Don't miss Sommelier Chuy Galvan's entertaining lesson and tasting sparkling wine at sunset.

New Year's Eve Dining - Friday, December 31st
Bring the New Yearin with an elegant gourmet meal and then join the La Valencia for their New Year's Eve party!
Mediterranean Room & Ocean View Terrace
Whaling Bar & Grill
or Sky Room
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - Call 858-454-0771

New Year's Day Buffet - Saturday, January 1st 11:00am - 3:00pm
Mediterranean Room 
Whaling Bar & Grill
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED - Call 858-454-0771


Saturday, December 18
The Mission Bay Parade of Lights will light up Mission Bay this Saturday. With multiple viewing locations, it’ll be a great time to take the family out, enjoy the fresh air, and maybe sip on a warm cup of cocoa. The parade will go on from 7-9pm. This free event features decorated boats parading around the bay. Boats will start at Quivira Basin and the best viewing is suggested at Riviera Shores, Crown Point, Santa Clara Point, the east side of Vacation Island and west side of Fiesta Island. Map of Mission Bay.

Keeping in line with Christmas celebrations, the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad presents “A Peter White Christmas” from 8 to 10:30pm. For 16 years, Peter White has enthralled jazz fans worldwide with his spirited melodies, soulful grooves and inviting, instantly recognizable acoustic guitar tone.  Bringing his modern sensibilities to cherished pop classics, White’s seasonal renditions are sure to promise a truly unique evening. Tickets are $75 per person. Want to make a night of it? California Bistro will be offering a pre-show dinner buffet priced at $38 per person. Call 760.603.6800 or click here for tickets.

ONGOING CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOWS, PLAYS, AND PERFORMANCES

Holiday Pops at Copley Symphony Hall – Dec 17-19
San Diego’s favorite Broadway son Brian Stokes Mitchell comes home for Christmas to host our city’s favorite holiday music tradition, the San Diego Symphony’s Holiday Pops. As always, Holiday Pops is led by conductor Matthew Garbutt, and features the glorious sounds of the San Diego Master Chorale. More information and tickets.

Traditions of Christmas at Balboa Theatre – Dec. 17 – 23
You will be enchanted by customs from around the world as all your favorite Christmas stories come to life on stage. Meet Santa and enjoy the all-new Christmas Countdown of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.  There will be a Living Nativity, carols, choirs and majestic pageantry. Come see why families come back year after year to this colorful family spectacular! More information and tickets

It’s a Wonderful Life at Welk Theatre – Dec 16 – 30
“It’s a Wonderful Life” exudes a retro-warmth not evident in all Christmas fables. Add to that the inventive approach by radio veteran/playwright Tony Palermo who arranges for a faux broadcast using live actors, and theatre guests become the studio audience as they reconnect with this classic story of love and redemption. More information and tickets.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre – Dec 16 – 26
The traditional holiday about the Who’s in Whoville and the Grinch who tries to steal Christmas. More information and tickets.

San Diego Botanic Gardens Light Display in Encinitas – Dec 16 – 23 and 26-30
The San Diego Botanic Garden is transformed into a winter wonderland. Enjoy a relaxing evening strolling through the lighted garden decorated with many varieties of poinsettias, lights, and holiday cheer. Live music fills the air from 6 – 8 pm. More information and tickets.

2010 Gingerbread Collective
Saturday, Dec 18 12:00p to 4:00p at The downtown showroom of Arclinea San Diego, San Diego, CA
Phone: (619) 564-7440
The interior design firm Arclinea presents the Gingerbread Collective, a holiday program inviting San Diego’s top chefs to create dishes inspired by the flavors of Gingerbread. A jury of local celebrities and the general public will vote across four categories: People’s Choice, Most Creative Interpretation of Gingerbread, Favorite Comfort Food, Best Holiday Tradition. All proceeds will go to the Food Pantry and Holiday Meals program at Second Chance, a San Diego-based philanthropic organization.

California Ballet presents The Nutcracker – Civic Theatre Dec 18-21
The longest-running Nutcracker production in San Diego feature live accompaniment by the San Diego Symphony. More information and tickets.

Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” – Copley Symphony Hall Dec 20
The international touring company returns to San Diego for one performance of the Russian holiday ballet, featuring a 40-member dance corps. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $27.50. www.nutcracker.com for more information.