⛳ The venue and big picture

• A three-story venue housing 102 hitting bays, with views of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline — with a tall netting system
• A stage area for events
• Outdoor patios
• A restaurant
• Parking — though these details are to be determined
  

• Gaslamp Holiday Market | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 4-9 p.m. | Fifth and Island avenues, Gaslamp Quarter | Free | Shop 40+ holiday artisans, pick up festive treats, and take photos with Santa while enjoying live music.
• Hanukkah + Menorah Lighting | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 5 p.m. | Central Promenade, 2850 Roosevelt Rd., Liberty Station | Free | The Chabads of Downtown San Diego and Pacific Beach celebrate the start of Hanukkah at this dazzling ceremony that includes music, snacks, and crafts.
• “Plaid Tidings” | Through Sunday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | San Diego Musical Theatre, 4650 Mercury St., San Diego | $25-$70 | The Plaids return to Earth to spread yuletide cheer by performing holiday classics of a bygone era.

• Christmas in the Park | Friday, Dec. 8 + Saturday, Dec. 9 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. + 3:30-8:30 p.m. | Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd., Poway | Free | Step back in time for this old-fashioned holiday tradition complete with caroling, model train displays, crafts for kids, and visits with Santa.
• Depeche Mode | Friday, Dec. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego | $94+ | Get your own, personal tickets to see the alt-rock band perform the “Memento Mori Tour.”

• “Polar Express” Family Day | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | San Diego Model Railroad Museum, 1649 El Prado, San Diego | $20 | The museum plays “The Polar Express” accompanied by crafts, exhibits, and a visit from Santa.
• North Park Winter Wonderland Festival | Saturday, Dec. 9 + Sunday, Dec. 10 | 12-8 p.m. + 12-4 p.m. | North Park Mini-Park, 3812 29th St., San Diego | Free | The Vegan Food Popup hosts a seasonal celebration with food vendors, roller skating, live music, a beer garden, and an appearance from Santa.
• East Village Holiday Market and Tree Lighting Ceremony | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 3-7 p.m. | Quartyard, 1301 Market St., San Diego | Free | Peruse a curated holiday market featuring hand-crafted gifts while enjoying live music, food vendors, activities for kids, and a tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m.

• Pacific Beach Family Bike Ride + Pizza Party | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Woodstock’s Pizza PB, 1221 Garnet Ave., San Diego | Free | The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition leads this family-friendly, 5-mile ride through PB and Mission Bay; participants get 15% off at Woodstock’s for lunch afterwards.
• San Diego Bay Parade of Lights | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | San Diego Bay, from Embarcadero to Shelter Island to Coronado Ferry Landing | Free | The 53rd annual tradition features a procession of ~80 lavishly decorated boats lighting up San Diego Bay; this year’s theme is “Christmas Traditions Around the World.”

1. Sport Hoodie: This top-seller is almost sold out.
2. The Anson performance polo: It’s rated five stars by 99% of customers.
3. The Sully quarter zip: Many of these colors match up with The Anson colors for a coordinated, layered look.

• Surf’s up, SD — really, the surf is high and expected to peak today with sets up to 7 ft in southern San Diego County. The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement in effect through late tonight. The big waves could produce strong rip currents. (National Weather Service)

• For the next three weeks, city crews will continue resurfacing 30+ streets in Clairemont, Mira Mesa, La Jolla, Serra Mesa, and University City as part of the Transportation Department’s ongoing Slurry Seal program. To view repairs in your neighborhood, check out the city’s Project Finder map.

• This evening marks the beginning of Hanukkah — the Jewish Festival of Lights. Celebrate with the menorah lighting at Liberty Station or attend Chanukah Erev Shabbat Services tomorrow evening at Beth Israel.

• This limited-release, crafty collaboration is too cool for school. This Saturday, Dec. 9, NOVO Brazil Brewing Company’s Imperial Beach brewpub will release its IB First Anniversary Winter Warmer Beer, an 8.3% ABV brew created with students from Southwestern College’s Fermentation Science Program. It’s only available at the IB location.

• The San Diego County Department of Animal Services will host a fee-waived adoption event this Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at its Carlsbad North and Bonita South shelters. Browse the county’s list of adoptable pets and maybe one can come home with you for the paw-lidays.

• Birch Aquarium will debut “Hold Fast” on Feb. 8, 2024, an immersive art exhibition that explores San Diego’s kelp forests and climate change through local artists and scientists. Guests will “weave through a labyrinth of cyanotype-printed giant kelp” as they learn about the importance of protecting the ocean.

• SeaWorld San Diego’s Arctic Rescue roller coaster is in the running for USA TODAY 10Best’s favorite new theme park attractions in the US. Meanwhile, this year’s Del Mar Wine and Food Festival is nominated among favorite new festivals. You can vote for each contest through Monday, Dec. 25, 9 a.m. (USA TODAY 10Best)

• Coastal Christmas — a new holiday event opening soon at the Del Mar Fairgrounds — will offer free general admission to US military veterans and active duty service members (with a valid ID) on Sunday, Dec. 17. The holiday village will feature immersive light displays and festive lounges.

• San Diego-based baby brand Infantino recently donated $14,000 worth of toys and parenting essentials — from teethers to bath sets — to the local Toys for Tots chapter. The gifts will be distributed to SD families. If you’re looking for ways to donate this season, we have ideas for you.

• The Local in Pacific Beach will host its free “Grinchmas” drone show this Saturday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m., complete with holiday-themed cocktails for sale. If you’re looking for a more traditional festive display, check out these other local light shows.

• Step one of your dog’s wellness journey: Nom Nom. The vet nutritionist-developed meals are perfectly portioned for a vibrant, joyful life. Get 50% off your first order.*

• The Seals joined the NLL in 2018-2019; their season typically runs December-April, and they play at Pechanga Arena — peep their schedule.
• Box lacrosse is played indoors — inside an ice hockey rink, but on green dieter turf carpet laid over the ice. Each game has four, 15-minute quarters and potential for sudden-victory overtime.
• The Seals name is both a nod to local marine life and US Navy SEALs.
• The Seals’ mascot is Salty the Seal, described by the team as the ultimate San Diegan: “The one who will never be traded, never leave as a free agent, will never bolt in the middle of the night, and will never retire.”
• Last season, the Seals became regular-season 2023 West Conference Champions.