11.09.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🛷 SD sleighs the season

75+ festive, seasonal events happening in San Diego County in 2023

SD Little Italy Aurora and Christmas Village

Little Italy sure is jolly this time of year. | Photo via Little Italy Association

Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, San Diego. From seasonal festivals and performances to festive events, the holiday season in America’s Finest City is truly magical.

Gather family and friends and celebrate what makes this time of year special with our ultimate guide featuring 65+ events.

🎉 Festivals

December Nights | Friday, Dec. 1 + Saturday, Dec. 2 | 3-11 p.m. + 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Balboa Park | Free | The city’s largest holiday festival takes over the landmark for two days with lights, music, food, and seasonal activities.

Little Italy Tree Lighting + Christmas Village | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 4-8 p.m. | Piazza della Famiglia | Free | Ring in the season with the lighting of the community’s 25-ft artsy “Aurora” tree, live music, seasonal vendors, holiday treats, and a visit from the jolly guy himself.

SD Surfin' Santa — Surfin’ Santa is coming to town.
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Photo via 3PIXstudios

🎄Holiday events

Surfin’ Santa | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 1-5 p.m. | Seaport Village | Free | Decked out in board shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, this SoCal-style Santa will arrive by watercraft — no less — to kick off the holiday season at the landmark. Expect a parade down the boardwalk, “snow” at Malibu Farm, and photos with Santa on his surfboard.

OB Holiday Parade | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 5 p.m. | Ocean Beach | Free | Celebrate the season in the eclectic beach community — Newport Avenue’s famous “Crooked Tree” and all.

SD Liberty Station Menorah Lighting Hanukkah Celebration — The Chabads of downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach will lead this celebration at Liberty Station on Thursday, Dec. 7.
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Photo via Liberty Station

Chula Vista Starlight Parade | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 3 p.m. | Third Avenue in downtown Chula Vista | Free | After a 3-year hiatus, the community celebration returns with a 5:45 p.m. tree lighting, followed by the parade featuring floats, bands, and dancers.

Hanukkah + Menorah Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5 p.m. | Liberty Station, Central Promenade | Free | The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach partner with Liberty Station to celebrate the start of Hanukkah at this dazzling ceremony that includes music, snacks, and crafts.

60+ more festive events

Asked

The most wonderful time of the year to get out and explore the city is...

A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter
E. All of them

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Events

Thursday, Nov. 9

Vicki Barbolak | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 6 p.m. | Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego | $20-$25 | The “America’s Got Talent” finalist brings stand-up talents to the bayfront venue.
The Cottage and Societe Brewing Collaboration Dinner | Thursday, Nov. 9 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Cottage La Jolla, 7702 Fay Ave., La Jolla | $89 | This five-course pairing menu promises palate-pleasing plates and pours — like halibut à la nage matched with Bulbous Flowers Hazy IPA.
Jeremy Piven LIVE! | Thursday, Nov. 9-Saturday, Nov. 11 | Times vary | The American Comedy Co., 818 Sixth Ave., San Diego | $30 | The “Entourage” star brings his stand-up act to the downtown venue.

Friday, Nov. 10

Bing Crosby Season 2023 | Through Sunday, Dec. 3 (select dates) | 11 a.m. | Del Mar Racing, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. | $6+ | Play the ponies — it’s Opening Day of the fall horse racing season where the turf meets the surf.
SnowJam | Friday, Nov. 10-Sunday, Nov. 12 | Times vary | Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. | Shop alpine skis, snowboards, boots, bindings, goggles, and jackets at this winter sport expo, and score free lift tickets with admission.

Saturday, Nov. 11

Escondido VetFest | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 9:30-11 a.m. | Grand Avenue, Downtown Escondido | Free | American Legion JB Clark Post 149 hosts this event to honor North County veterans and their families, followed by music, lunch and more.
Veterans Day Ceremony | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m. | Veterans Park, 14134 Midland Rd., Poway | Free | This event — hosted by VFW Post 7907 — honors vets who served our country with speeches and remembrances.
Grand Tasting | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego | $200+ | The 2023 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival culminates with this ultimate food event featuring small bites, sips, and music along the bayfront.
2023 NWSL Championship | Saturday, Nov. 11 | 5 p.m. | Snapdragon Stadium, 2101 Stadium Way, San Diego | $25+ | No. 4 OL Reign faces first-time finalist No. 6 Gotham FC in the league’s ultimate showdown of soccer superstars.

Sunday, Nov. 12

Veterans Day Parade | Sunday, Nov. 12 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Harbor Drive, Grape Street to Broadway, San Diego | Free | Pay tribute to American heroes with this downtown and waterfront procession featuring veterans and community leaders.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

It’s warm, dry, and windy this week, but the National Weather Service predicts widespread rain in San Diego County on Wednesday, Nov. 15-Friday, Nov. 17. Weather models show an 80-90% chance of 1-2 inches of rain in SD — the first substantial rainfall in the region since August. (National Weather Service)

Civic

Special election results are still being counted by the San Diego Registrar of Voters, but Monica Montgomery Steppe is feeling confident with her early lead for the supervisorial seat in District 4. The next round of results will be posted at 5 p.m. today.

Development

San Diego FC will break ground today on its future training facility and Right to Dream Youth Development Academy on Sycuan Reservation. The 125,000-sqft complex will rise on a 28-acre site spanning part of the existing Singing Hills Hotel; the MLS club’s debut is set for March 2025.

Community

The countywide Leave No Veteran Homeless program is recruiting landlords who can offer vacant units to rent to unhoused US military veterans. Currently, the initiative has ~100 eligible veterans in need of permanent housing.

Edu

Arizona State University is expected to announce plans today to open a ASU Local campus at Southwestern College in Chula Vista. The partnership is part of Chula Vista’s ongoing UniverCity project and is designed to expand access to four-year degree programs in SD’s South County to meet the region’s workforce needs.

Ranked

According to CoWorking Cafe, Chula Vista ranks No. 10 among the best cities for US military veterans. The study looked at metrics like the number of veteran health care providers and pediatricians, unemployment rates, air quality, and green spaces. Chula Vista ranked No. 5 in the nation for median veteran income — $70,000 per year. (CoWorkingCafe.com)

Announced

“Fijate Bien” — the 26-time Latin Grammy Award-winning Juanes is coming to San Diego. The Colombian musician will headline The Magnolia in El Cajon on Feb. 25, 2024; general public tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m.

Eat

Yelp released its list of the top 50 places to eat in San Diego in 2023, and we’re hungry just thinking about it. Factoring in the total volume and rating of Yelp reviews, the top spots are HillCrust Pizza, Thanh Tinh Chay, and Fairouz Cafe & Gallery. (Yelp)

Sports

Snapdragon Stadium is quickly becoming a professional soccer hotspot. The venue was selected to host the first-ever Concacaf W Gold Cup, a new competition for women’s senior national teams. The tournament will take place Feb. 17-March 10, 2024, and will feature a dozen teams from around the world.

Cause

The Hilton San Diego Bayfront’s lobby will be filled with festive trees Friday, Nov. 17-Wednesday, Nov. 29, for a Christmas Tree Auction benefiting USO San Diego. Locals can bid on the decorated and themed trees for a chance to take one home for the holidays.

Wellness

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Try This

🛍️ Shop San Diego Made

Preview: The return of San Diego Made Holiday Market

The San Diego Made Holiday Market is all about shopping small and local. | Photo via Kat Caudle

You know we like to keep it local around here, and the upcoming San Diego Made Holiday Market is speaking our love language.

The annual event boasting 120+ local makers goes down Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Julep at 1735 Hancock St.

It’s hosted by San Diego Made, the cool collective of local makers known for its markets and dedication to the development of small, local businesses and artisans.

In addition to shining the spotlight on shopping small, the event will feature food trucks, live music, a floral bar, an interactive art installation, tarot card readings, mini golf for kids, and craft cocktails — with happy hour, 3:30-5 p.m., both days.

Tickets cost $6 (kids under 10 get in free), or you can splurge for admission that includes a Leaf Stamping workshop for $15.

The Buy

The secret ingredient we need for all holiday party cocktails.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

I recently had dinner with a dear friend at Quixote, one of the new restaurants inside the renovated LaFayette Hotel in North Park.

After dinner, we roamed the moody, hip halls of the historic hotel, exploring the flare at the opulent Lobby Bar, the bowling alley inside The Gutter, and the Pool Bar overlooking the iconic swimming pool. I’ve gotta say, I’m loving the vibes. Yes, it’s over-the-top in true CH Projects fashion, but it certainly makes a splash in SD’s food, beverage, and hotel scene.

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