Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 16 to Friday, Dec. 20.

Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.

Monday

Skating by the Sea: Hotel Del Coronado: Locals can enjoy views of Coronado Beach and the Pacific Ocean while ice skating at the Hotel Del Coronado. An outdoor temporary ice rink on the hotel’s Windsor Lawn will be open to the public through Jan. 5. General admission is $40 and $35 for hotel guests, military members and first responders. There are also $35 “value skate days” on Dec. 16 and 17. Admission covers rentals and ice skating sessions can last up to 90 minutes. There is also lounge seating around the ice rink available by reservation. Open and closing times differ each day. Check the Hotel Del Coronado’s website for the full schedule. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com/events/skating-by-the-sea

“In the Christmas Mood”: The Glenn Miller Orchestra will play holiday classics. More than 18 singers and other musicians are featured in this show. 7 p.m. Monday. Balboa Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., B Street, San Diego. $72. sandiegotheatres.org/event/2024/12/christmas-mood-glenn-miller-orchestra

Ice skating at Fairmont Grand Del Mar: Glide on an “eco-friendly Glice skating rink” at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar this holiday season. The resort will use a synthetic ice product from Glice, a company headquartered in Switzerland, that functions “without electricity or water,” according to the company. Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s Glice rink will be available from Nov. 28 through Jan. 1. Rink hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 3 to 7 p.m. Sundays. There will be special hours on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It will cost $40 for adults and $20 for children, with skate rentals included. Skating passes will be available for $150 per person. 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego. 858-314-2000, granddelmar.com/holidays

Rady Children’s Ice Rink: The annual Rady Children’s Ice Rink returns to Liberty Station, benefiting cancer patients. This will be the 28th year Rady Children’s Hospital will host its ice rink. “Net proceeds from the rink” go to the Thriving After Cancer Program and over the years and more than $2 million has been raised, according to Rady Children’s Ice Rink organizers. This year, the outdoor ice rink will be open most days from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 5, with special holiday hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. It will cost $20 per adult and $15 per child, military member and Rady Children’s staff. Skate rental is covered with admission. 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego. 619-221-1970, rchicerink.org

‘All That Jazz’ at Hotel del Coronado: The Norfolk Island Pines on the Hotel del Coronado’s Founders Lawn are the centerpiece of the “All That Jazz” light show. From 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21 to Jan. 5., the Hotel del Coronado gives the public a free holiday light show that is synchronized with jazz music. There will also be a hotel duplicate 12-foot-tall red turret with holiday lights, a bar and lounge seating.  The free light show is 10 minutes long and occurs every 30 minutes. 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado. 619-435-6611, hoteldel.com/events/at-first-light-lightshow-spectacular

Lights at the Lakes: The Santee Lakes Campground will turn into a holiday light show Dec. 1-31 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Lights at the Lakes is a free event that allows registered campground guests to walk or drive their golf court to see the light displays. 9310 Fanita Parkway, Santee. 619-596-3141, santeelakes.com/event/lights-at-the-lakes-campground-edition

Jingle Terrace Live: The Brengle Terrace Park at Moonlight Amphitheatre will present a holiday light show through Dec. 21. Jungle Terrace Live will feature live entertainment, holiday displays, seasonal activities, photo opportunities and light shows. This all-ages event is free to attend.1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. 760-724-2110, moonlightstage.com/events-tickets/jingle-terrace-live

Jungle Bells: The San Diego Zoo will once again celebrate the holiday season with its Jungle Bells seasonal event. Through Jan. 5, the park will offer three holiday light trails: celebration, discovery and symphony from 5 to 8 p.m. These paths allow guests to venture into the zoo and explore exhibits such as the cactus garden and the tiger trail. Jungle Bells also brings holiday musical acts and performances. It is free with paid admission to the zoo or a membership. Parking is available for free. 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego. zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jungle-bells

Tuesday

‘A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays’ The Old Globe presents Tony-winning actor and UC San Diego graduate Jefferson Mays in a new adaptation of his acclaimed solo show where he plays more than 50 characters in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Old Globe artistic director Barry Edelstein directs. Through Dec. 22. 7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $64-$96. 619-234-5623. theoldglobe.org

A Nat “King” Cole Christmas Tribute: Leonard Patton and Friends will play a Christmas tribute concert for Nat King Cole. 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The Jazz Lounge, 6818 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. Tickets start at $40. thejazzlounge.live/

Wednesday

‘A Christmas Carol’: Cygnet Theatre will present its annual production of Dickens’ redemptive holiday tale, once again starring Cygnet artistic director Sean Murray as the miserly Victorian money-lender Ebenezer Scrooge. It was adapted for the stage and directed by Murray, with lyrics by Murray and original music by Billy Thompson. It features sing-along Christmas carols, puppetry, humor, dancing and special effects. The 2024 staging will feature an expanded storyline, fresh original music and a revitalized script. Runs through Dec. 24. 7 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Cygnet’s Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego. $73. (619) 337-1525. cygnettheatre.com

Winter Fest: On Dec. 18, the Fallbrook Library will host its annual Winter Fest. There will be a photo booth and face painting for all ages and holiday music by the Mountain Dulcimer Club. The Bottom Shelf bookstore will also reopen starting Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will host its annual Christmas Boutique through Dec. 31, featuring art books, coffee table books, collector’s items and children’s books. 2:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Visit 124 S. Mission Road. Visit fallbrooklibraryfriends.org.

Venice – ‘The Venice Christmas Show’: Jackson Browne, Roger Waters and the late David Crosby are just some of the notable artists the veteran Los Angeles band Venice has collaborated with over he years. The group’s harmonious vocal blend is a treat in any setting. 8 p.m. Wednesday. Belly Up, 143 South Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. $26-$46. Ages 21 and up only. 858-481-8140, bellyup.com

Lightscape: San Diego Botanic Garden will host its light show for the third time, opening on Nov. 15 and running through Jan. 5. Lightscape is a one-mile trail filled with flowers and trees covered in lights, illuminated tunnels, suspended lights and artistic installations from international artists. Holiday drinks and treats will be available on the trail. Ticket prices range from $13-31, based on age and time of day. The parking fee is $10-$25. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. 760-436-3036, sdbg.org/lightscape

Thursday

Voctave – ‘It Feels Like Christmas’: San Diego Symphony presents this 11-member a cappella vocal ensemble performing songs from its just-released holiday album on a North American tour. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $39-$93. purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org/9537

Jingle Jets: The USS Midway Museum is marking the season with its second annual Jingle Jets Holiday Lighting Celebration. The museum will be decorated with 750,000 festive lights, and themed events will take place on certain nights, including a dog night, Christmas pajama party, ugly sweater night and Christmas carol karaoke. Plus, ticketed guests can take a photo with Santa Claus. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Monday. 910 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. $18-$30. 619-544-9600, midway.org

Friday

Coastal Christmas Del Mar: The Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts a Coastal Holiday Festival with holiday lights attractions. Highlights include a walk-through display of more than 1 million lights, “glice” skating, holiday market, Frosty’s Fun Zone, holiday wine walk and Santa and Friends. Igloos and fireside lounges can be reserved for cozying with some hot cocoa. S’mores kits, festive food, and drinks will be sold. Tickets are $19.95 and $12.95 for children ages 4-12. Admission is free for 3 and under. Holiday Wine Walk is $49.99. Promotional nights include military, first responders and teachers.  4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 26 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Visit delmarfairgrounds.com/events/2024/coastal-christmas

Holiday Lights: The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum will put on its annual Holiday Lights event, which transforms the historic museum grounds into a winter wonderland with light display. Highlights include wagon rides through holiday lights, Santa photos, food and drinks, crafts, model trains, steam engine and tractor displays, s’mores, holiday movies, local vendors and Christmas tree raffle. 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20-21. Admission is $10, in advance online; $12 at gate; free for kids 6 and younger. agsem.org/holiday-light-2024 

City Ballet of San Diego’s “The Nutcracker”: John Nettles directs the City Ballet orchestra for this production which won the Tommy Award for Best Nutcracker in San Diego. The pre-ballet show features holiday carolers in the lobby. The Victorian-era story is traditional with Clara, her Nutcracker Prince and Tchaikovsky’s famous 1892 ballet score. The choreography was created  by Elizabeth Wistrich after Rudolf Nureyev and other masters. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Monday. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $39-$119. 800-988-4253, cityballet.org

Golden State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: The lavish downtown production choreographed by Raul Salamanca includes professional dancers and 90 talented students from the award-winning academy. The Tchaikovsky score is performed by a live orchestra from the San Diego Symphony. Recommended for ages 3 and up. Runs 20 hours, 10 minutes, with intermission. 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $35-$129. goldenstateballet.org

San Diego Civic Youth Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: Danika Pramik-Holdaway directs the annual production featuring students of the Balboa Park-based company. The ballet follows the traditional story of Clara and her Nutcracker prince, the battle of the toy solders and mice and the dance of the Sugarplum Fairy. 7 p.m. Friday 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Casa del Prado Theatre, Balboa Park $27. 619-259-0220, sdcyb.org

Originally Published: December 16, 2024 at 10:41 AM PST