5 minute read

OH, WHAT FUN!

12 ways to unwrap the magic of the holidays

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe is celebrating its 25th incredible year of holiday fun for the entire family. The holidays are not complete without the Who’s holiday carol “Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze)” and the audience favorite “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” All ages performances are back this year, check the website for details. For tickets, visit www.TheOldGlobe.org.

Come to Village Walk at EastLake for family fun! Our Family Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 3, Noon–3 pm includes free visits with Santa in his sleigh (use your camera to capture photos), free train rides and a children’s craft. Sunday Fun Days are Dec. 4 & 11 from 4–6 pm. Enjoy free photos with Frosty and our life-size photo frame, free crafts, musical entertainment, and photo ops with life-size cutouts of Santa, the Snowman, Elsa and Olaf. www.ShopVillageWalk.com

3Bring the entire family to Lights at the Lakes, a drive-through holiday light show at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve featuring 35+ dazzling light displays synchronized to music on your car radio. This highly anticipated event is on select dates between Nov. 25 and Dec. 24 from 6–8:30 pm. Event entrance is at 9120 Carlton Oaks Drive, Santee. Advance ticket purchase (per vehicle) is required at www.santeelakes.com/lights-at-the-lake-2022. No on-site ticket sales available. For general information, call 619-596-3141.

4Experience a fabulous festival of trees and lights at Noah Homes’ Enchanted Village in Spring Valley, Dec. 16–22 from 5–8 pm. Luckily, Santa cleared his schedule for photos, but beware—the Grinch may be lurking close by! This year brings new holiday celebrity entertainers, over 1 million lights, food trucks, kids’ activities and more. Proceeds benefit Noah Homes, a nonprofit for people with developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism. Purchase tickets and learn more at www.EnchantedVillage.org.

5Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo is lighting up the night with memory-making holiday experiences for the whole family. Join us for the return of Aurora—a magical experience with lights, projections and music. The festivities continue with traditional light displays, live entertainment, musical performances, visits with Santa and more. Join us for the celebration on select dates, December 9 through January 1, 2023.

6Adventure to Family Christmas Tree Farm to experience a magical, old-time Christmas in a wintery forest atmosphere at this family-owned farm in El Cajon. Sip hot cider, roam through the living forest and cut the perfect tree (or choose from precut trees in hard-to-find sizes). Take amazing family photos, enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, and shop for wreaths, potted trees and gifts. Opens Nov. 26. Visit www.familychristmastreefarm.com.

7Join us for a reimagining of The Nutcracker ballet inspired by the culture of Mexico, featuring 150+ A Step Beyond (ASB) students ages 8–17. The performance is Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 pm at Kit Carson Amphitheater in Escondido. All choreography, sets and props were created with and by ASB youth. Admission is $10 (ages 5 & under free). Learn more and purchase tickets: www.a-step-beyond.org/events.

8Experience an old-fashioned holiday celebration, during Julian’s Country Christmas. Our town tree has a new location, Santa and kids crafts at Town Hall, the Light Parade on Main Street (Dec. 17) and “A Christmas Carol” performance returns this year. Drop letters to the North Pole in Santa’s mailbox at Town Hall. Plus, unique shopping, dining and lodging. Fun for the whole family! Learn more: www.juliancountrychristmas.com.

9Join us bayside as we welcome the holidays island style! Bring your family and friends for Paradise Point’s festive tree lighting with carolers, bonfires and s’mores, food trucks, activities for kids of all ages, and a special visit from Santa himself! The event takes place on Paradise Terrace from 5:30–7:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 8 at Paradise Point Resort & Spa.

del Coronado has transformed into Frosted by the Sea, a winter wonderland with thousands 10Hotel

hotel’s signature red turrets. The holidays herald the return of The Del’s famed two-story Christmas tree in the lobby, a magical nightly light show, the spectacular oceanfront ice rink for Skating by the Sea, reservable beachside igloos and more. Find details at www.hoteldel.com/holidays.

the gift of ocean exploration and fun this year with extraordinary experiences from Birch Aquarium. 11Give

during a Birch Tidepooling Adventure, get an insider’s view of the fascinating world of seahorses with a Behind-the-Scenes Tour, or gift a membership to a family who would love a year’s worth of discovery and fun at Birch Aquarium! For more information, visit https://aquarium.ucsd.edu.

the magic of the holiday season all month long at Flower Hill Promenade in Del Mar. Enjoy 12Celebrate

while you shop and dine with family and friends. Plus, a little elf told us that Santa is planning extra holiday cheer on Dec. 3 & 4 from 11 am–3 pm with photo ops, real snow, crafts, snacks, carolers and face painting!

20 • SanDiegofamily.com • December 2022

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