Sunday, Nov. 24

Mother Goose Parade
El Cajon’s annual pre-Thanksgiving event is now in its 73rd year. The parade runs 1-4 p.m. and will start at the intersection of Main Street and El Cajon Boulevard. It will travel east on Main Street and conclude at the intersection of First Street and Madison Avenue. Free event. Visit mothergooseparade.org for information on parking and a list of floats participating.

Friday, Nov. 29

‘A Christmas Past’
Through Dec. 15
Lamplighters Community Theatre presents “A Christmas Past” featuring two one-act plays. “The Long Christmas Dinner” showcases the lives of the Bayard family over nine generations. In this funny and poignant one-act play, characters age from children to seniors in one continuous ribbon. The second play, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” is a dramatization of Dylan Thomas’ wonderful, nostalgic look at memories of his childhood. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at Lamplighters Community Theatre, 5915 Severin Drive. Cost is $23 adult; $20 for seniors, students and active military. Tickets and information available at lamplighterslamesa.com.

Sunday, Dec. 1

Duke Windsor: ‘Radiance’
Reception for La Mesa artist Duke Windsor who will be showing his solo exhibit, “Radiance,” Dec. 1 through March 1 at the Sparks Gallery in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. Reception will be held 6-9 p.m. at Sparks, 530 Sixth Ave., San Diego. “Radiance” will exhibit illuminated contemporary urban and cityscapes, contemporary still-life series and sculpture. Windsor’s urbanscapes have been exhibited and received awards at juried exhibitions and are held in many private collections throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has produced numerous commissions and military historical works. Windsor works in a variety of mediums including pastel, oil, acrylic, watercolor, linocut block prints and, most recently, plaster and concrete casted sculptures. For more information, visit dukewindsor.net.

Wednesday, Dec. 4

Military Families Toy Drive & Party
Join the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce and assist military families and children living in La Mesa military housing. Celebrate the strength of our community as the chamber collects toys for these children and their families that live in La Mesa at military housing locations. 5:30-7 p.m. at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive. Cost is free to chamber members who bring a new, unwrapped toy; $10 advance tickets for guests and nonmembers who bring a toy; and $20 for nonmembers at the door who bring a toy. Toys will also be collected prior to the event at 8080 La Mesa Blvd. #212 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. RSVP to [email protected] or call 619-465-7700 ext. 2.

Wednesday, Dec. 4

Evensong Blue Christmas Service
Christmas tough this year? Clouded by loss and pain? Are you wondering how you’ll make it through? The holiday season focuses on the upbeat, the celebratory. But it can evoke grief as well. This “Blue Christmas” service acknowledges the difficulties and sadness people may experience and offers a time of respite and peace, and the comfort of drawing close to God, to those in crisis. At The Table: United Church of Christ of La Mesa, 5940 Kelton Ave., La Mesa. All are welcome. Visit tableucc.com for more information.

Thursday, Dec. 5

Joni’s Jukebox Holiday Revue
Oasis presents a holiday performance featuring Joni and The Jeanies, The Malt Shop Girls, “Elvis,” and more. You’ll be entertained with holiday music and with 1960’s and 70’s pop hits. The show includes singers and dancers, with professionally choreographed moves. You’ll be smiling and tapping your toes in no time. 3–4:30 p.m. at Grossmont Lifelong Learning Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive. Register for class #555 at sandiegooasis.org. Cost is $15.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Christmas on Mt. Helix
Mt. Helix Park’s 29th annual holiday event will feature European Christmas markets with local artisans, family caroling and a Nativity story. 2-5 p.m. at Mt. Helix Park, 4905 Mt. Helix Drive, La Mesa. Free admission and free parking and shuttle from Grossmont High School staff parking lot. Visit MtHelixPark.org.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

‘The Nutcracker’
Through Dec. 11
Golden State Ballet presents the story of a little girl named Marie who falls asleep after a party at her home and dreams herself into a fantastic world where toys become larger than life. Her beloved nutcracker comes to life and defends her from the Mouse King, then is turned into a prince after Marie saves his life. There will also be a Christmas opportunity to give at the performance where you can bring a toy or canned food for the less fortunate. 7:30 p.m. at the Joan Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego. Visit gsballetpilates.com for tickets and information.

Friday, Dec. 13

Holiday in the Village
Through Dec. 14
The La Mesa Village Association’s Holiday in the Village returns to downtown La Mesa. This free, family-friendly event will feature a wonderland of festive holiday music and dance, food, children’s activities, shopping and more. Friday, Dec. 13, 4-9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. in the downtown Village. Visit lamesavillageassociation.org for more information.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Holiday Craft Fair
Mount Miguel High School Alumni Foundation will host a craft fair featuring holiday-inspired gifts. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Mt. Miguel High School Multi-cultural Events Center, 8585 Blossom Lane, Spring Valley. Free admission. For more information, call JoAnne Burke at 619-469-7350.

Monday, Dec. 16

‘A World of Harmonies’
The California Note Catchers, a women’s a cappella harmony chorus, and Music Masters, a men’s a cappella chorus, present an evening of holiday harmonies featuring four-part barbershop classics, traditional and international holiday music. 7:30 p.m. at La Mesa First United Methodist Church, 4690 Palm Ave. Free admission, but donations are appreciated.

Tuesday, Dec. 17

SD Concert Band: Holiday Concert
Through Dec. 18
The San Diego Concert Band consists of more than 100 members from all walks of life who come together to play symphonic music under the direction of Roy Anthony Jr. The Holiday Concert will feature classics for the whole family to enjoy. 7:30 p.m. at Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego. Tickets run $20 for adults; $15 for seniors, students and active military; free for children under 6. Visit sandiegoconcertband.com.

Monday, Dec. 23

Happy Hanukkah!

Wednesday, Dec. 25

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, Dec. 26

Happy Kwanzaa!

RECURRING EVENTS

Mondays

 Note Catchers
California Note Catchers, four-part harmony chorus, invite ladies of all ages to their rehearsals 7-9 p.m. Performances throughout SD. Located in Social Hall of La Mesa First United Methodist Church, 4690 Palm Ave. 619-464-3727.

Tuesdays

La Mesa Walks!
Enjoy a fun walk with friends and neighbors. First and third Tuesdays, meet for a fast-paced walk in the evening from various locations around La Mesa. On the second Tuesday, meet at 9 a.m. for a slower-paced walk beginning at the La Mesa Library, and on the fourth Tuesday, meet at 9 a.m. for a slower-paced walk beginning at the Porter Park Gazebo. Call 619-667-1300 or email [email protected] for more information.

Wednesdays

Senior Women’s Support Group
City of La Mesa offers senior women’s support group, every Wednesday 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd. Please contact 619-667-1322.

Wellness Wednesday
Wellness Wednesday is a health series normally held on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Herrick Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa. Admission is free and advance RSVP is not required. Light refreshments and informational handouts will be available. For more information, call the library at 619-825-5010 or visit herricklibrary.org.

Grossmont Center Farmers Market
Grossmont Center hosts a produce-only farmers market, 2-6 p.m. in the back lot in front of the Dollar Tree.

Thursdays

Movie Matinee
The La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center hosts a series of modern and classic film viewings every Thursday at 1 p.m. in the center’s main hall. Cost is $2 per ticket. For movie listings, visit bit.ly/2FVrOSQ.

Fridays

La Mesa Farmers Market
La Mesa’s farmers market offers fresh local produce, florals, pastries, live music, and arts and crafts each Friday. 3-7 p.m. along La Mesa Boulevard. Free.

Saturdays

Shop Local Market
Last Saturday of the month at Grossmont Center, participating shops set up tables outside and offer markdowns and new product showcases. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa.

McKinney House Museum
The McKinney House Museum, 8369 University Ave., is open Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. Fall 2019 exhibit is “La Mesa’s Hospitals: A Brief History of Local Healthcare Institutions.”

Sundays

Traveling Stories
Visit Grossmont Center each Sunday for an interactive story time for kids. Kids visit the StoryTent, pick out a book that interests them, and then read it out loud to a volunteer. The volunteer asks engaging questions that help the child build reading comprehension and critical thinking skills all while earning book bucks to trade for cool prizes. Free. 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa.