December Nights — the city’s biggest holiday celebration — is coming back to Balboa Park this weekend. 🎄
After pandemic-era modified versions for the past two years, this year’s festivities will return in their full glory — with twinkling lights, live performances, deals and activities at museums, and so much food. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Activities await at every corner — including holiday craft projects at Palisades Plaza. There’s also a lot going on in the Family Zone.
Select Balboa Park museums will offer free admission — 5-9 p.m. — both nights, including the Museum of Us, San Diego Air & Space Museum, and San Diego Museum of Art.
Whose Live Anyway? | Wednesday, Nov. 30 + Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Dr., San Diego | $76.50 | Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis + Joel Murray perform 90 minutes of improv.
Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas In Hawai’i | Wednesday, Nov. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $36.50-$66.50 | Celebrate the holiday with songs from the 4-string guitarist.
Thursday, Dec. 1
Walk in ART | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5-10 p.m. | Mural Alley, 445 University Ave., San Diego | Free | The monthly gathering features live entertainment, art, food + music.
Nick Swardson | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon | $39.50-$49.50 | The actor known for “Reno 911" + “Grandma’s Boy” performs his “Make Joke From Face Tour.”
Chris Rock + Dave Chappelle | Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego | $599-$849 | Two comedy legends, one show.
It’s A Wonderful Vida | Thursday, Dec. 1-Wednesday, Dec. 21 | 8 p.m. | OnStage Playhouse, 291 Third Ave., Chula Vista | $25 | Playwright Herbert Siguenza gives the classic holiday story a Chula Vista spin.
Friday, Dec. 2
Shawn Wayans | Friday, Dec. 2-Saturday, Dec. 3 | 7-9 p.m. | Mic Drop Comedy, 8878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego | $35-$50 | The longtime actor + comic takes the stage.
Mariachi Sol De Mexico: A Merry-achi Christmas | Friday, Dec. 2 | 8 p.m. | Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego | $37-$67 | A Christmas celebration that embraces México’s land, people and beauty.
No Duh | Friday, Dec. 2 | 9-11 p.m. | Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach | $16 | Don’t speak — check out this No Doubt tribute act.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Diamond Palace — a 15,000-sqft Chinese restaurant and banquet hall — is now open at 54th Street and University Avenue in southeast San Diego. The eatery offers daily dim sum cart service and Cantonese cuisine, while its events space can accommodate weddings and other large gatherings. 🍜 (Eater San Diego)
Biz
Minority-owned local businesses are invited to showcase their products and services at the Diversity Expothis Friday, 12-4 p.m., at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego. Hyatt managers in charge of purchasing for properties across SoCal are looking for potential partners in industries like food, beverage, retail + handy work. 🤝
Watch
A man operating a drone camera captured video of a shark swimming within feet of surfers near Torrey Pines last weekend. The cameraman said the surfers were unaware of the close encounter until he tracked them down in the parking lot to show them the footage. No one was hurt. 🦈 (Fox 5)
Transit
It’s been one year since the debut of the Trolley’s UC San Diego Blue Line Mid-Coast extension. By the numbers, the Metropolitan Transit System says the extension has logged 31,000 hours of service operation since opening, and the Blue Line has seen a 73% increase in ridership. 🚊
Community
SANDAG wants public feedback on its Coastal Connections study to improve pedestrian access at rail corridor crossings, trails, and beach entry points between Coast Boulevard and Torrey Pines State Beach. Locals can share opinions at an open house on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 1050 Camino del Mar. 💬
Sports
It looks like Padres pitcher Mike Clevinger — aka “Sunshine” — is going to need a parka. The right-hander has agreed to join the Chicago White Sox in a free-agent deal that’ll become official after a successful physical exam. Clevinger has been with the Friars since 2020. ⚾ (AP News + MLB.com)
Lacrosse, anyone? The San Diego Seals will return to Pechanga Arena on Friday, Dec. 9, for their home opener against the Saskatchewan Rush. Tickets are on sale, and you can check the team’s schedule to map out other home games for the 2022-2023 season. 🥍
Announced
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The Wave FC roster for 2023 has many MVPs. | Photo via San Diego Wave FC
Alex Morgan. Abby Dahlkemper. Naomi Girma. 💫
Those are some of the soccer superstars returning to the San Diego Wave FC’sroster in 2023.
After a historic inaugural season led by World Cup champion Morgan, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team mapped out its game plan for next year, which includes these powerhouse players:
Goalkeepers: Kailen Sheridan, Carly Telford
Forwards: Amirah Ali, Makenzy Doniak, Sofia Jakobsson, Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw
Midfielders: Belle Briede, Taylor Kornieck, Kristen McNabb, Kelsey Turnbow, Emily Van Egmond
Editor’s pick: And just like that, it’s a wrap on November.
I am an avidautumn enthusiast, so saying goodbye to this month is bittersweet. Thankfully, we were able to make great memories, including Día de los Muertos, fall hiking, Guild Fest, and ushering in fun seasonal events.
Holiday season (and Mariah Carey on loop), here we come.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We took a look at a major development taking shape along the Chula Vista Bayfront. 🏗️
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