San Diego, CA
List: Holiday events to feel festive this winter in San Diego
What to Know
- ‘Tis the season for festive fun!
- From San Diego’s December Nights to holiday-themed runs and bar takeovers, there’s something for everyone to celebrate this holiday season
- This week: December Nights, San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, Gaslamp Pet Parade
- For foodies, several neighborhoods are offering tasting events and holiday-themed bar takeovers
- For those who want to add a little pep to their holiday steps, try one of the 5K or Santa runs below
- Bundle up and hit an ice skating rink. See our list below
The days are getting colder and winter coats are being pulled out of the closet. It can only mean one thing: the holiday season is upon us. While it’s not likely we will have a white Christmas in San Diego, there are plenty of ways to feel festive for the holidays.
Find all things merry at these holiday festivals
December Nights
Dec. 6 and 7, times vary | Balboa Park | Free
The annual December Nights is back in Balboa Park. Join in the festivities this holiday season by visiting vendors, stopping at food stations and watching performers from 3-11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Since the event gathers quite a crowd, there are some rules that you should know before you go.
44th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Dec. 26 at 6:30 p.m. and Dec. 29 at 9 p.m. | 2100 Park Boulevard | Free
WorldBeat Cultural Center will be celebrating its 44th Annual Celebration with four of the seven days of Kwanzaa, an African American Holiday celebrated from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The annual Kwanzaa holiday was created to celebrate and reaffirm family, community and culture. Each night will feature special guest speakers or performers, ceremonial candle lighting and libation with drumming, poetry readings by Johnnierenee Nia Nelson, free heirloom seeds for families and Karamu (the traditional feast and family get down).
Hanukkah Festival
Dec. 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Seaport Village | Free
Seaport Village is partnering with The Chabad of Downtown San Diego to host a family-friendly event featuring festivities like live music, performers and the traditional lighting of the menorah.
San Diego Lunar New Year
Jan. 24-26 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | 4455 Wightman Street | Free
This year is the 15th annual San Diego Lunar New Year Festival. The three-day event will feature a vibrant array of folk and traditional performances, arts and cultural exhibitions, lion dances, firecrackers and numerous family-friendly activities. A highlight of the festival will be the Cultural Village, which aims to recreate the traditional villager lifestyle of Southeastern Asia.
Grab your mittens and scarf and hit an ice skating rink
Rady Children’s Ice Rink
Nov. 21-Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. | Point Loma | $15-20
Back for its 28th year is Rady Children’s Ice Rink. It’s open through Jan. 5, 2024, and the beneficiary? The rink will be raising money for “the Thriving After Cancer program at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego.” Tickets for adults are $20 and $15 per child.
Frosted by the Sea
Nov. 21-Jan. 5, times vary | Coronado | $40
Skating by the Sea returns the weekend before Thanksgiving. This ice rink features views of the Pacific Ocean and benefits Make-A-Wish San Diego. General admission tickets are $40. Hotel guests, military, first responders and club members are $35.
See the full list of San Diego County ice skating rinks here:
Be joyful and jolly while watching a holiday parade
Gaslamp Pet Parade
Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. | Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach | Free
For more 40 years, the quaint surfing neighborhood of Ocean Beach has hosted a unique SoCal Holiday parade. On the first Saturday in December, Newport Avenue is lined with locals and visitors all eagerly awaiting the commencement at sunset.
Port of San Diego Bay Parade of Lights
Dec 8 and 15 at 5:30 p.m. | San Diego Bay | Free
The 54th annual Bay Parade of Lights will be entertaining bayfront crowds for two evenings this holiday season. This year’s theme is: “Peach on Earth.” Find the approximate arrival time of the parade at various locations along the route online. The parade takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to pass any given point along the parade route.
Find some holiday sparkle at these must-see performances
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Old Globe Theatre
Dec. 7-15, times vary | Balboa Park | $200+
Step into “Whoville” when you enter the plaza outside the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. The festive decorations coincide with the production running in San Diego until Dec. 15.
Choir! Choir! Choir!
Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. | Epstein Family Amphitheater | Free
Choir! Choir! Choir! returns to San Diego to present: Un-Silent Night: An EPIC Holiday Sing-Along. Imagine yourself surrounded by hundreds of other voices, making your way through an unforgettable mix of holiday classics and seasonal pop gems. No singing experience is necessary. Dust off that ugly sweater, grab your friends and family and get ready to feel the glow of togetherness at a fully interactive holiday sing-along show like no other. Registration is required.
The Nutcracker
Dec. 13-Dec. 22 Showtimes vary | The Civic Theatre | $35+
Golden State Ballet proudly presents “The Nutcracker” at the Civic Theatre, featuring the choreography of Artistic Director Raul Salamanca. Step into a world of wonder as dazzling scenery and exquisite costumes bring Clara’s enchanting journey with her Nutcracker Prince to life. This beloved holiday tale is set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, performed live by the world-renowned San Diego Symphony. Prepare to be swept away by the magic in the two hour and 10 minute runtime.
Add a little spice for foodie (and bevvy) festivities
Cutwater Tasting Room
Nov. 21-Dec. 31, times vary | 9750 Distribution Ave. | Prices vary
Sip and savor the holiday season at Cutwater’s Tasting Room and Kitchen, that’s been transformed into Cutwater Lodge for this select time. Delight in the flavors of winter with our curated menu, featuring two flights and a lineup of winter-inspired cocktails, including traditional, spirit-free, warm and frozen choices. Discover seasonal merchandise, themed photo ops, and embrace the festive atmosphere of the lodge for a limited time only.
Top of the Hyatt Over the Top Holiday Lounge
Nov. 27 through Jan. 5 | 1 Market Place | Drink prices vary
The Over the Top Holiday Lounge will bring a snowy wonderland to sunny San Diego. Find a spot around the warm hearth, sip a cocktail in bunk beds that set the scene of a nostalgic family vacation and take advantage of the photo opportunities that showcase the epic views Top of The Hyatt is known for. No reservations required. Enjoy live holiday entertainment in the lounge every Tuesday and Friday night and Christmas Eve from 7-9 p.m.
Del Mar Village Winter Taste and Sip
Dec. 8 from 1 – 4 p.m. | Downtown Del Mar Village | $49+
Stroll the festively decorated streets as you enjoy culinary creations from our award-winning Del Mar Village restaurants, sips from local beverage partners at “Sip Stops” inside downtown Del Mar businesses, live music and other holiday happenings as part of the North Pole by the Sea day of family-friendly festivities. Both “Taste Only” and “Taste and Sip” tickets are for sale.
Taste ‘n’ Tinis
Dec. 12 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Hillcrest | $30
Guests will have a fabulous time as they stroll the holiday-light-decorated shops of Hillcrest with martini in hand. This food-tasting event will dish up appetizers, small bites and desserts alongside mini specialty cocktails.
A new holiday pop-up bar opened its doors in Hillcrest called “Sleigh Bar,” which offers a new menu featuring holiday cocktails and mocktails.
Make the night merry and bright at these holiday lightings
“All That Jazz” Lightshow Spectacular
Nov. 21 – Jan. 5 runs every 30 minutes from 5 – 9 p.m. nightly | Hotel Del Coronado | Free
The grove of towering pine trees on the Founders Lawn is the scene of a dynamic 10-minute light show orchestrated to lively holiday jazz music. The experience captivates guests with a finale of snow flurries. Showcased is the Norfolk Pine originally made famous in 1904 as the world’s first electrically lit outdoor Christmas tree.
While at the Hotel Del, don’t miss several other holiday events.
Menorah Lighting
Dec. 26 from 5-8 p.m. | Liberty Station | Free
Head to Liberty Station’s Central Promenade to commemorate the first night of Hanukkah. The family-friendly festivity will include entertainment, packaged treats and the traditional lighting of the menorah.
Coastal Christmas Holiday Light Spectacular
Select dates in December from 4-9 p.m. | Del Mar Fairgrounds | $20+
The iconic Del Mar Fairgrounds get transformed with twinkling lights, holiday cheer and delicious snacks and drinks. Enjoy the holiday light trail, Glice skating, Holiday Wine Walk, Frosty’s Fun Zone and more.
Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration
Select dates Nov. 22-Dec. 23 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. | USS Midway Museum | $18+
Step aboard for a magical evening at the USS Midway Museum’s 2nd Annual Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration. See Midway transform into a festive holiday wonderland on the sea, dazzling from bow to stern with 750,000 twinkling lights. Whimsical music, tasty treats and festive fun for the whole family await.
Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden
Select dates in November through January, Timed entry | Encinitas | $13+
The Lightscape returns for its third year with over 1 million twinkling lights and new installations. Walk the 1-mile path around the garden stopping for seasonal treats like Chicken Pot Pie Handpies, Smokey BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches and a Giant Bavarian Pretzel with Cheese Sauce. Sip on festive cocktails like the Holiday Sparkler, the Whiskey Warmer or try a boozy take on hot chocolate and hot mulled cider. Tickets are required.
Spread holiday cheer: Runs and races to join
San Diego Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile Race
Dec. 14 Race times vary | 912 Garnet Avenue | $34+
Join the sea of Santas filling the streets of Pacific Beach for the 12th annual San Diego Santa Run.
Holiday Half Marathon
Dec. 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. | 14455 Penasquitos Road | $160+
The 13.1-mile course starts on Penasquitos Drive and Carmel Mountain Road, then travels southwest along Carmel Mountain Road, along the 56 bike path and finishes at Torrey Pines State Beach.
Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk
Dec. 27 at 9:45 a.m. | Downtown | $20+
Run or walk along San Diego’s harborfront, starting at Harbor and Ash. Athletes will go past an approximate 10,000 cheering spectators. Runners, families and spectators can watch the parade, which features colorful floats, bands and huge inflatable characters. All participants receive a finisher medal and awards will be given to the top three male and female 5K finishers in each age division. T-shirts and goody bags will be handed out at the finish line area. Join the post-race party, featuring live music and lots of extra snacks.
San Diego, CA
GM expects more than $5 billion impact from China restructuring, including plant closures
- General Motors expects a restructuring of its joint venture operations with SAIC Motor Corp. in China to cost more than $5 billion in charges and writedowns.
- The restructuring charges for the “SGM” joint venture are anticipated to include “plant closures and portfolio optimization,” according to the filing.
- GM said most of the costs are expected to be recognized as non-cash, special item charges during the fourth quarter.
DETROIT – General Motors expects a restructuring of its joint venture operations with SAIC Motor Corp. in China to cost more than $5 billion in non-cash charges and writedowns, the Detroit automaker disclosed in a federal filing Wednesday morning.
GM said it expects to write down the value of its joint-venture operations in China by between $2.6 billion and $2.9 billion. It also anticipates another $2.7 billion in charges to restructure the business, including “plant closures and portfolio optimization,” according to the filing.
GM, which previously announced plans to restructure the operations in China, did not disclose any additional details about the expected closures.
“As we have consistently said, we are focused on capital efficiency and cost discipline and have been working with SGM to turn around the business in China in order to be sustainable and profitable in the market. We are close to finalizing our restructuring plan with our partner, and we expect our results in China in 2025 to show year-over-year improvement,” GM said in an emailed statement.
GM said it believes the joint venture “has the ability to restructure without new cash investments” from the American automaker.
A majority of the restructuring costs is expected to be recognized as non-cash, special item charges during the fourth quarter. That means they will impact the automaker’s net income, but not its adjusted earnings before interest and taxes – a key metric monitored by Wall Street.
GM’s operations in China have shifted from a profit engine to liability in the past decade as competition grows from government-backed domestic automakers fueled by nationalism, and as a generational shift in consumer perceptions of the automotive industry and electric vehicles takes hold.
Equity income from GM’s Chinese operations and joint ventures peaked at more than $2 billion in 2014 and 2015.
GM’s market share in China, including its joint ventures, has plummeted from roughly 15% as recently as 2015 to 8.6% last year — the first time it has dropped below 9% since 2003. GM’s equity income from the operations have also fallen, down 78.5% since peaking in 2014, according to regulatory filings.
GM’s U.S.-based brands such as Buick and Chevrolet have seen sales drop more than its joint venture sales with SAIC Motor, Wuling Motors and others. The joint venture models accounted for about 60% of its 2.1 million vehicles sold last year in China.
Prior to this year, the only quarterly losses for GM in China since 2009 were a $167 million shortfall during the first quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and an $87 million loss during the second quarter of 2022.
The Detroit automaker has reported three consecutive quarterly losses in equity income for its Chinese operations this year, totaling $347 million. That includes a loss of $137 million during the third quarter.
San Diego, CA
Freshmen stars shine as ASU basketball blows out San Diego
TEMPE — After not quite finding it in a 90-53 win over San Diego at Desert Financial Arena, ASU men’s basketball is still searching for consistency over a complete game.
Tuesday marked the largest margin of victory so far this season for the Sun Devils, who have made a habit of starting slow offensively. The answer to why seems to reveal itself when freshman guard Joson Sanon emerges from the bench, as he has in each of the past six games.
Sanon knocked down his team’s first two made 3s of the game during a 32-12 run that helped give ASU a 40-33 halftime lead. He hit two more before the half was over, including a heat check from NBA range on the left wing.
Heated up in no time 🔥@joson_sanon /// @TheSunDevils pic.twitter.com/oB9yZtqJbo
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) December 4, 2024
Sanon wasn’t the instant fix that he has been on some nights, but the visible difference between the offense with and without him becomes more apparent as he continues to improve with each passing game.
Plus, he’s offering enough effort defensively to be a real difference maker, putting forth one of ASU’s best moments of the first half when he skied for a block.
Fellow freshman Jayden Quaintance (three blocks and one steal in the first half) was a catalyst in keeping the San Diego offense down during the run. Kjay Bradley Jr. was the only San Diego scorer during the stretch. He finished with a team-high 15 points.
With the cobwebs of the slow start brushed away, ASU kept up its offensive cohesion in the second half as Quaintance kept the blocks coming and Sanon kept the 3s coming, keying an 18-3 run to take a commanding 25-point lead.
It’s only a matter of time before teams stray away from Quaintance’s paint, but for now he continues to feast with five blocks on the night. He even made a block after getting up off the floor.
WE. HAVE. NO. WORDS. 🤯@qjayhoops /// @TheSunDevils
📺 @ESPNPlus
🔗 https://t.co/hEnItSOBI1 pic.twitter.com/LHErT0eDch— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) December 4, 2024
Sanon finished with 19 points (5-for-8 on 3s).
How slow was ASU’s start vs. San Diego?
ASU’s offense bordered on horrendous during a 1-for-10 shooting start with just three points over the game’s first eight minutes.
The Sun Devils created some decent looks, but they were too bogged down by careless mistakes such as flubbed no-look passes or missed bunnies from close range.
The slow start left ASU in a 15-5 hole, and following a blocking call that Bobby Hurley showed displeasure with, the head coach received his second technical foul of the season (first came in the win over New Mexico).
Following the ensuing made free throws by San Diego’s Tony Duckett, ASU trailed 17-5 with 12:45 left in the half. From there, it was all ASU.
ASU is off until a Dec. 14 matchup with Florida in Atlanta. Hurley said on Monday an effort will be made to get the team to Dallas to watch Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game with ASU football vying for a College Football Playoff spot.
San Diego, CA
San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis resigns to take role with FIFA
SAN DIEGO (CNS) – San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis is stepping down from her role with the club effective immediately and will become Chief of Football at FIFA, it was announced Tuesday.
“I want to extend a huge thank you to the staff and players of the Wave for their profound commitment to the club,” Ellis said in a statement that wished the club and its new ownership group “the very best for the future.”
“I would also like to express my appreciation to the city of San Diego for embracing the Wave so warmly into the community,” she added.
San Diego Wave FC Owner Lauren Leichtman praised Ellis in a statement that also noted the new owners’ vision for the club’s future.
“Under Jill’s leadership, the Wave set a standard of excellence as an expansion club in the NWSL. The new owners of the club are committed to building a culture of winning on and off the pitch. As we approach the 2025 season and beyond, we will work to further elevate the Wave’s impact in San Diego, on the national stage, and as a globally recognized leader in women’s soccer. Additionally, we are excited to announce that we are in the final phase of identifying a new head coach on the heels of a global search. We look forward to sharing additional developments ahead of the 2025 NWSL season.”
After the Wave earned the best regular-season record in the league in 2023, last season was a struggle. The club fired coach Casey Stoney in June and Stoney was replaced by Paul Buckle and then Landon Donovan. The club announced last month that Donovan would not be returning as coach and the search for a permanent coach continues.
Ellis’ departure follows off-the-field controversies that included allegations of a toxic and hostile work environment under her watch.
A former videographer with the team, Brittany Alvarado, alleged over social media that since the team’s inception, more than 30 employees either quit or were fired, and Alvarado called for Ellis’ removal from the club and the NWSL.
In turn, Ellis sued Alvarado for defamation, while a group of former Wave employees sued the club and the NWSL for allegedly failing to respond or act following their complaints of a toxic work culture.
Copyright 2024, City News Service, Inc.
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