Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Thursday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 26.
Thursday
Friday
A view of the ornaments on display at the Timken Museum of Art’s “Jewels of the Season” holiday installation.
(Courtesy of Timken Museum of Art)
‘Jewels of the Season’ at Timken Museum of Art: An extensive display of more than 1,000 unique holiday ornaments is now on display at the Timken Museum of Art. The ornaments, made with sequins, gems, stones and filigree, were handcrafted by San Diego artists Florence Hord and Elizabeth Schlappi, with the first of the collection created in the 1930s by Hord. Some ornaments in the display depict San Diego landmarks, and some replicas will be available for sale. The museum will host two ornament-making workshops, at 10 a.m and 1 p.m. on Monday, which are welcome to both beginners and professionals, with a cost of $85 for members and $95 for the general public. Open now through Dec. 31. Timken Museum of Art, 1500 El Prado, San Diego. Free admission. timkenmuseum.org
“Elf, The Musical”: Theatre at the Welk presents this new musical comedy based on the children’s book and Will Ferrel movie about a human boy raised as a Christmas elf at the North Pole who returns to New York City to find his human family and restore the spirit of Christmas in the Big Apple. Award-winning San Diego actor Bryan Banville plays the lead role of Buddy the Elf. 1 and 7 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays; 1 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 24. 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido. $67, adults; $32.50, children 14 and under. (760) 749-3448, tickets.thewelksandiego.com
“Man and Moon”: Moxie Theatre presents Siena Marilyn Ledger’s play about two people who meet in an oncology waiting room: a transitioning man with breast cancer and a 12-year-old girl whose mom is in treatment. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 3. Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Ste. N, Rolando. $25-$50. (858) 598-7620, moxietheatre.com
Jingle Jets: The USS Midway Museum will be decked with hundreds of thousands of lights as part of its new “Jingle Jets” holiday light show. There will be holiday carolers, dancing with a DJ, illuminated Christmas trees, Santa in his red flight suit and life-size holiday ornaments, along with lit-up tunnels and reindeer. Holiday cards will be at the mess-deck tables for visitors to write letters to service members. Holiday-themed treats, food and merchandise will also be sold. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on select nights from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23. USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego. $25 for adults, $18 for youth, free for children under 5. 20% off for members. midway.org/jingle-jets-2023
“The Marvelous Wonderettes”: Point Loma Playhouse presents this musical comedy about a trouble girls vocal quartet tasked with performing at their high school prom, and then reunited years later at their high school reunion. 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 3. 3035 Talbot St., Point Loma. $24-$27. (619) 800-5497, pointlomaplayhouse.com
Winter WNDRland: A new winterscape exhibit “Iced In” opens at the WNDR Museum on Friday. Through Jan. 15. WNDR Museum,422 Market St., San Diego. $38 for adults, $28 for children. wndrmuseum.com/event/winter-wndrland-sandiego/
Saturday
Liberty Station tree lighting: A ceremonial lighting of Liberty Station’s 88-foot Norfolk pine tree will take place this weekend along with entertainment, festive firetruck rides, free photos with Santa and outdoor holiday movie showings. 5 p.m. Saturday. North Promenade, Liberty Station, 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego. Free. libertystation.com/events/salute-the-season/holiday-tree-lighting
Wild Holidays: The San Diego Zoo Safari Park will celebrate the holiday season starting today with light displays, photos with Santa Claus, live music, storytelling and more. Friday is a special preview night for members, and then Wild Holidays will be open to the public on Nov. 25-26, Dec. 2–3, 9-10, 16–23 and 26–31 with park hours extended to 8 p.m. Select dates through Dec. 31. San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido. Free with park admission. sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays
Shop Local Saturday in the North Park: Enjoy live music, an art exhibit, food samples and sales from North Park businesses. there will be an opening c
Tree Lighting at One Paseo: This holiday event centers around the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree. One Paseo will be shimmering with firefly lights in the trees and festive decor. The evening will feature live music performances, snow cascading from the rooftops, Santa, special guests and photo ops. 5 p.m. Saturday.One Paseo, 3725 Paseo Place, San Diego. onepaseo.com/events/christmas-tree-lighting-2023
“Proof”: Backyard Renaissance Theatre presents David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play about young woman who has inherited both her late father’s mathematical genius and, perhaps, his mental illness. Opens Saturday and runs through Dec. 9. Showtimes, 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays, Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., downtown. $18-$40. (760) 975-7189, backyardrenaissance.com
Parachuting Santa Claus: St. Nick will make a parachute landing at Mission Marketplace for the free family-oriented Jingle Bell Jump event from noon to 3 p.m. The El Camino High School Band will welcome Santa as he parachutes from an airplane at noon and the band will lead Santa in a parade from the landing area in the parking lot to his Holiday Headquarters. Highlights include holiday crafts for kids, carnival games, balloon artists and cookie decorating, free churros and cotton candy. Noon Saturday. Mission Marketplace, 471 College Blvd., Oceanside. missionmarketplaceoceanside.com
Surfin’ Santa: Seaport Village’s family-friendly day of festivities features Surfin’ Santa and his festive fleet making their annual holiday homecoming. St. Nick, wearing his board shorts, will lead a tuna boat-to-boardwalk parade with live street performers and characters. Highlights include photo opps with Santa’s lifesized wave and surfboard and local shops with treats and holiday gifts. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. 849 West Harbor Drive, San Diego. seaportvillage.com/events/surfin-santa-parade-photos
Sunday
Light Up the Holidays: The Salvation Army hosts its red-kettle kickoff, “Light Up the Holidays.” The free family event includes a tree lighting at 6 p.m., hot chocolate and coffee, Christmas music by The Salvation Army San Diego Brass Band and performances by San Diego Gymnastics and photos with Santa. Besides money donations, the Salvation Army is accepting new, unwrapped toys. 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive. salarmy.us/lightuptheholidays
Ongoing events
Botanic Garden Lightscape: San Diego Botanic Garden hosts Lightscape from 5 to 10 p.m. select nights Nov. 17 through Jan. 1 (except Nov. 23 and Dec. 24-25). It will feature a more than one-mile trail decorated with holiday lights that winds through the garden with lantern trees, tunnels and light attractions, along with installations from international artists that come alive at night with color and sound at 300 Quail Gardens Drive. Advance tickets are $26-$32 for adults, $16-$20 for children ages 3-12, and free for ages 2 and younger. Discounted tickets for garden members and military with ID. Parking is $10 paid online in advance or $20 on day of visit. Tickets are at sdbgarden.org/lightscape
‘Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’: The Old Globe’s 26th annual production of this holiday classic will once again star Andrew Polec, who returns for his third year in the title role. Based on a 1957 children’s book by the late La Jolla author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, the musical by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin premiered in 1994 at a children’s theater in Minneapolis. In 1998, it moved to the Old Globe, where artistic director Jack O’Brien worked with Geisel’s widow, Audrey Geisel, to add music from the famous 1966 animated TV version and a storybook-come-to-life scenic and costume design. It’s been an annual tradition ever since. Now playing through Dec. 31. Showtimes vary, but mostly evenings Tuesdays-Fridays and multiple shows on weekend days. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $49 and up. (619) 234-5623, theoldglobe.org
‘Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show’: The Old Globe brings back its fast-paced comedic take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” which was first presented at the Globe in 2019. Playing Scrooge this year is two-time Tony nominee Christopher Sieber, who memorably starred as Miss Trunchbull in Broadway’s “Company,” “Shrek” and “Matilda.” Runs Nov. 17 through Dec. 24. 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623, theoldglobe.org
Holidays at Legoland: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall can all be expected at Legoland’s holiday season starting Saturday. There will be nightly tree lightings at the park’s 30-foot Lego tree decked with lights and Lego ornaments. Photos can be taken with life-size Lego models of Santa and his reindeer in Fun Town or costumed characters such as Lego Santa, toy soldier and gingerbread man. Nov. 18 through Jan. 7. Legoland California, One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. legoland.com
‘Elf, The Musical’ opens at the Welk: Theatre at the Welk presents this new musical comedy based on the children’s book and Will Ferrel movie about a human boy raised as a Christmas elf at the North Pole who returns to New York City to find his human family and restore the spirit of Christmas in the Big Apple. Award-winning San Diego actor Bryan Banville plays the lead role of Buddy the Elf. Opens Saturday and runs through Dec. 24. Showtimes, 1 and 7 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. 1 p.m. Sundays. 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido. $67, adults; $32.50, children 14 and under. (760) 749-3448, tickets.thewelksandiego.com
