🗓️ The basics

• The 2-day, multicultural festival runs 3-11 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.
• It’s been a minute since the traditional December Nights, so use this map to visualize the layout.

Photo via Balboa Park Cultural Partnership

🚗 Parking + transportation

• San Diegans know parking lots fill up quickly, so plan ahead. Limited free parking is available at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego City College. Paid parking is available at Balboa Park’s Inspiration Point lot ($30), the Natural History Museum lot ($45), the South Carousel lot ($45), or some nearby Ace Parking lots ($15).
• You can rideshare and get dropped off at a designated zone along Sixth Avenue.
• You can park downtown and take a free shuttle to and from the event at Ash Street between Fifth + Sixth avenues.

Photo via Balboa Park Cultural Partnership

🎶 Entertainment + activities

• There are four live performance areas — Organ Pavilion Stage, Cascades Stage, Family Zone Stage, and Gator by the Bay Stage.
• 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.

🍔 Food

• December Nights is known for its plentiful grub options across different zones. Don’t miss the vendors along Food Truck Alley and Plaza de Panama, and make sure to visit the International Cottages to taste foods from around the world.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 61º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain

• Rise: 6:32 a.m.
• Set: 4:43 p.m.

• Low: 9:13 a.m. + 9:47 p.m.
• High: 3:58 a.m. + 2:43 p.m.
• Water Temperature: 59º

• 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)

• Minority-owned local businesses are invited to showcase their products and services at the Diversity Expo this 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. 🤝

• 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)

• 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. 🚊

• 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. 💬

• 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. 🥍

• Take your love for SDtoday to the next level by joining our new membership program. Support local journalism while enjoying perks like: exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, discounts from our online shop (Six & Main) + more. 🎉

• 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
• Defenders: Abby Dahlkemper, Mia Gyau, Naomi Girma, Kaleigh Riehl, Christen Westphal