Getting there

• Locals know parking fills up quickly, so plan ahead. Limited free parking is available at San Diego Zoo and San Diego City College. A free shuttle will take visitors from City College parking garages to December Nights.
• Paid parking options near the event this year include: Inspiration Point at Balboa Park ($25-$30); Preferred Paid Parking at the Federal Lot ($40); and Roosevelt Middle School ($30).
• Rideshares can get dropped off or picked up at a designated stop at Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street.
• MTS is offering several service options to December Nights, including via Trolley with a bus transfer.
• Once you arrive, check out the city’s December Nights map to get yourself around the festival.

Entertainment and activities for the kids

• Performance areas are spread across spots including Plaza de Panama, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Spanish Village, Recital Hall Lawn. The schedule features mariachi, dance, Marine Band San Diego, San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, and Raúl Prieto Ramirez and the Spreckels Organ Society — to name a few.
• Pro tip: The iconic tree lighting takes place Friday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., at Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
• Check out the Family Zone in the park’s Palisades area for fun, free activities for the kids including face painting, holiday crafting, pro skateboarding demos, and a silent disco.

• Resident Free Tuesday | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 10 a.m. | The San Diego Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, San Diego | Free | Locals get in free today, just bring a photo ID that shows your address.
• Christmas Tree Lighting + Holiday Farmer’s Market | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 4-7 p.m. | Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Rd., Chula Vista | Free | Watch the shopping hub light up its tree with 17,000+ lights while enjoying community performances, festive activities, and magical “snowfall.”
• Wakaze Sake Pairing | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Saiko Sake & Sushi Bar, 2884 University Ave., San Diego | $100 | The local sushi restaurant teams up with Wakaze Sake Brewery from Paris for this six-course experience — three paired with sake, three with cocktails.

• Workshop: Centro de Mesa Floral para Thanksgiving | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Ana Galena Floral Studio, 2770 Historic Decatur Rd., Barracks 14, Ste. 210, San Diego | $135 | Learn to make a beautiful holiday centerpiece, just in time for Turkey Day.
• Maná: “México Lindo y Querido” | Wednesday, Nov. 22 | 8:30 p.m. | Viejas Arena, 5500 Canyon Crest Dr., San Diego | $100+ | The longtime Mexican pop-rock band behind hits like “Mariposa Traicionera” headlines the SDSU venue.

• O’side Turkey Trot | Thursday, Nov. 23 | 6:45 a.m. | North Coast Highway, 330 N. Coast Highway, San Diego | $30-$67 | Move your feet before you eat — run five miles, 5K, or run one mile with the kids.

• Skip Black Friday: Guided Hike | Friday, Nov. 24 | 8 a.m. | Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, 16275 Espola Rd., Poway | Forget the shopping and, instead, join this 5-mile, 800-ft elevation hike guided by docent Celeste Larson.
• Bing Crosby Season 2023 | Through Sunday, Dec. 3 (select dates) | 11 a.m. | Del Mar Racing, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. | $6+ | Enjoy the fall horse racing season before it gallops away.

• Ocean Beach Makers Market | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Wonderland Ocean Pub, 5083 Santa Monica Ave., San Diego | Free | Shop small by supporting local artists at this marketplace featuring handmade jewelry, knit goods, home decor, prints, soap, candles, and more.
• Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll | Saturday, Nov. 25 | 2-5 p.m. | Adams Avenue, 3441 Adams Ave., San Diego | $35 | Celebrate Small Business Saturday with this 21+ self-guided walk along 25 independently-owned retail shops in the neighborhood while enjoying themed cocktail tasters and sweet treats.

• The wet weather over the weekend brought much-needed rainfall to San Diego County. With 0.55 inches, Rancho Bernardo measured the most rain, followed by 0.52 inches in Palomar, 0.42 inches at Miramar Lake, 0.37 inches in Granite Hills, 0.30 inches in National City, and 0.25 inches in Santee. (National Weather Service)

• The Registrar will release its next round of special election results tomorrow at 5 p.m. Here’s where the unofficial counts stand for the District 4 supervisorial seat, the Chula Vista City Attorney race, and Measures A and B in the Fallbrook Public Utility and Rainbow Municipal Water districts.

• After a 3.5-year pandemic hiatus, Ped West at the San Ysidro Port of Entry reopened to southbound commuters yesterday for the evening rush hour. The US-Mexico border crossing has resumed daily operations, 3-11 p.m., with hopes of reducing border wait times; the northbound side is open daily, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. (Fox 5)

• UC San Diego researchers have refined “Pivot,” a handheld invention that can detect COVID-19. The device can now also detect biomarkers of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases — a faster, less invasive way that could allow for earlier diagnosis. Eventually, researchers hope to get the tool into clinics and people’s homes. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

• Hasekura — a six-seat, omakase-style sushi bar — will debut in Barrio Logan before the year’s end, in the tiny room above Fish Guts at 2222 Logan Ave. The intimate, multi-course dining experience is helmed by Chef Ambrely Ouimette and restaurant partner Pablo Becker and will offer two nightly seatings. (Eater San Diego)

• Carlsbad Brewing Company’s top brewmaster, Cody Gagnon, is heading up a side hustle: Michi Brew Co., an island-inspired brewery operating out of Carlsbad Brewing’s facility. The brewery is named after Gagnon’s wife; he plans to begin offering his first round of tropical ales and lagers next month. (SanDiegoBeer.News)

• The Padres will open their Holiday Ticket Presale to the public today at 12 p.m., offering single-game tickets for the 2024 season. The special presale will close at 10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, and Padres tickets won’t be available again until closer to next season.

• Want to donate a new, unwrapped toy to a child this season? Toys for Tots has set up donation boxes at five San Diego County airports: McClellan Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Gillespie Field in El Cajon, Fallbrook Airpark, Ramona Airport, and Borrego Valley Airport in Borrego Springs.

• In Motion Events founder Lynn Flanagan — the force behind local running events like the America’s Finest City Half Marathon + 5K — died last month. The 82-year-old trailblazer launched her events company in 1981. A tribute will be held for her at the Carlsbad Marathon on Jan. 14, 2024. (Running USA)

• Have you heard of the “Target Phenomenon” — why people can’t leave Target without a cartful of goodies? Brad’s Deals explains 11 reasons to love Target.*

• Fisher’s San Diego | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | What to get: $9 guacamole, $16 Peruvian Fish Ceviche, and $10 María Mezcal.
• Wolfie’s Carousel Bar | Tuesday-Friday, 4-7 p.m. | Executive Chef Chris Osborne launched this hot spot’s first ever happy hour menu last month with snacks like $9 Jambon Beurre on a demi baguette, and cocktails like the $13 vodka-based Fleur de France.
• Sky Deck at Del Mar Highlands | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | This one’s for our North County friends. Last month, six of the food hall’s restaurants — Ambrogio15, Craft House, Glass Box, Marufuku Ramen, Understory, and URBANA Mexican Gastronomy & Mixology — teamed up to offer happy hour food and drink deals.