Friday, December 6
Liberty Station
First Fridays in the Liberty Station Arts District are always entertaining, but this holiday they’ve packed even more fun into the free, family-friendly event, starting with local pop-up vendors along the North Promenade and near Building 177 and a Holiday Market and Open House hosted by the San Diego Craft Collective at Building 176. Building 177 also hosts a free concert by local favorite Whitney Shay and opening act Lauren Leigh from 6-9pm, and various art gallery showings and museum exhibitions are open throughout the Barracks. End your evening with craft cocktails at Moniker General or dinner at El Jardin Cantina, beer and more at Bottlecraft or Stone Brewing, or Neapolitan-style pizza at Buona Forchetta. Friday, December 6 - Saturday, December 7
Balboa Park
Balboa Park shows off its holiday finery at the 42nd season of December Nights, a family-friendly, two-day event that features thousands of twinkling lights, live music, food and free admission to select museums, exhibitions and entertainment both days from 5-9pm. Pro tip: Streamline your visit with their handy transportation/parking info, food and beverage guide and live entertainment lineup.
Cost: Free Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8
Lyceum Theatre
This is your last weekend to catch Hold These Truths, Jeanne Sakata’s one-man play about Gordon Hirabayashi, a Seattle-born American who openly defied internment orders during World War II, and his quest 50 years later to vindicate the injustices done to his Japanese community. Actor Ryun Yu moves fluidly between the character of Hirabayashi and nearly three dozen others in a remarkable solo performance.
Cost: $25-72 Saturday, December 7
Liberty Station NTC Park
It’s practically impossible to have a weekend in San Diego that doesn’t include a beer festival, and we’re not about to start making exceptions for the holidays. The San Diego Street Food, BBQ and Craft Beer Festival features unlimited tastings from more than 75 beer and cider selections, BBQ and street food vendors and dozens of top food trucks, plus a commemorative glass for you to keep. Live music will be provided by SYNRGY and Aviator Stash, and VIP admission gets you in an hour early.
Cost: $35-55 +fees Saturday, December 7
Hamiltons Tavern
Curator of one of the best tap lists in San Diego, the famously dog-friendly local favorite Hamilton’s Tavern drops their annual 12 Bell’s of Christmas Tap Takeover this Saturday at 1pm. Expect a dozen of Bell’s Brewing’s best beers, plus special holiday themed food from the cafe. It’s the perfect stop before or after the South Park Holiday Walkabout & Luminaria.
Cost: Varies Saturday, December 7
Little Italy
Little Italy’s holiday transformation is always a must-see, from the gigantic nutcrackers standing at attention to the new, 25-foot tall Christmas tree at Piazza Basilone. Designed by Joshua Hubert, a California artist, its colors change as you walk around it, giving a different view each time your perspective shifts. There’s also live music, holiday vendors, a visit from Santa at 4pm, and a tree lighting in Piazza della Famiglia at 6:30pm.
Cost: Free Saturday, December 7
The Observatory, North Park
John Waters, Baltimore’s self-proclaimed “Pope of Trash,” brings his critically acclaimed one-man show A John Waters Christmas: Filthier & Merrier… It'll Stuff Your Turkey to The Observatory in North Park for just one night. Profane, perverted, and deliciously vulgar, Waters delves into his own personal pet peeves such as holiday food issues, the dreaded Christmas e-card, and which unsafe toys to give your child in a rapid fire monologue that deserves its own trigger warning.
Cost: $55-100 +fees Sunday, December 8
You & Yours Distilling Co.
Afternoon tea takes a turn for the better at You & Yours Distilling Company’s Holiday Afternoon Tea with spiked tea cocktails in festive flavors. Spend a leisurely afternoon sipping a welcome cocktail, followed by hot tea service, a tea cocktail and a tiered tray of scones, pastries, and petit sandwiches. Pinkies up!
Cost: $45 Sunday, December 8
Various locations
Sunday is National Bartender’s Day, so show your appreciation to the person who remembers what kind of beer you like, mixes the perfect Aviation, and sympathizes when you complain about the boss yet again. It’s also the perfect opportunity to taste one of the seasonal cocktails that are popping up on menus all over town, like La Niña or The Bishop’s Wife at Madison on Park, Cafe 21’s Apple Of My Eye, or a Mexican Tiki Christmas from Puesto Headquarters and La Jolla. And speaking of popping, Polite Provisions transforms into "Miracle on 30th Street" and The Grass Skirt becomes “Sippin’ Santa” -- two holiday themed pop-ups that include festive libations with quirky names like You’ll Shoot Your Rye Out and Christmas Eve of Destruction. Wherever you end up, spread good cheer and tempt karma with generous tips.
Cost: Varies |
