The stocking is stuffed full of goodies of all sorts this holiday season, with something for everybody throughout the month of December. Here is a sampling:
Through Dec. 16
“¢ The fourth annual Downtown for the Holidays program has a number of holiday events to help get people in the holiday spirit. To view event dates and times, visit www.sandiego downtown.org.
“¢ Common Ground Theatre presents “Christmas Is Comin’ Uptown,” a musical loosely based on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” For ticket information and showtimes visit www.commongroundtheatre.org.
Through Dec. 18
“¢ Social Advocates for Youth will hold its 10th annual “Blanket San Diego” drive to help those with limited resources during the winter season. For donation details, visit www.saysandiego.org.
Through Dec. 23
“¢ Vox Nova Theatre Company is commencing its second season with the holiday musical “A Christmas Carol: Not-So-Tiny Tim’s Great Big Musical!” For performance dates, times and prices, call the box office, (858) 539-6251 or visit www.voxnovatheatrecompany.com.
Through Dec. 30
“¢ Cygnet Theatre presents “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” For performance dates, times and prices call the box office, (619) 337-1525 or visit www.cygnettheatre.com
“¢ The Old Globe Theatre offers “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” back for the 10th year. For show times and prices, visit www.theoldglobe.org/on_stage/schudle_Grinch_2007.html.
Through Jan. 1
“¢ The Hotel del Coronado will hold Skating by the Sea, a California outdoor ice-skating experience. For session times and prices, call 1-866-KSL-7727 or visit KSLResorts.com.
“¢ The Del Mar Fairgrounds presents the 13th annual Holiday of Lights, an exhibit that consists of more than 400 animated holiday light displays. People can drive their cars through the Fairgrounds to see the displays. For dates, times and prices visit www.sdfaor/cp.
Through Jan. 6
“¢ The San Diego Historical Society is inviting people to get in the holiday spirit by attending the Marston House, which will be transformed to reflect a traditional Victorian Christmas. For more information, call (619) 232-6203 or visit www.sandiegohistory.org.
Dec. 1 “” 23
“¢ The California Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts and the San Diego Civic Theatre. For show times and tickets, contact the California Ballet box office at (858) 560-6741, The San Diego Civic Theatre at (619) 570-1100 or visit www.californiaballet.com.
Dec. 5, Dec. 12
“¢ The new Music Festival will be held at the Ocean Beach Farmers Market. Those attending are encouraged to bring nonperishables and unwrapped toys to benefit children in the 92107 area code.
Dec. 6 “” 23
“¢ The Christian Community Theatre presents its 15th annual family Christmas show, “Traditions of Christmas “” A Musical Spectacular.” For showtimes and tickets, call (619) 588-0206 or (800) 696-1929.
Dec. 7
“¢ Take a ferry ride with Santa at the Coronado Ferry Landing during the 32nd Annual Winter Garden Holiday Celebration, which includes a parade and Christmas tree lighting. For more information, contact the Coronado Chamber of Commerce at (619) 435-9260.
Dec. 7 “” Jan. 10
“¢ Balboa Park’s historic Botanical Building will complement the holiday spirit as more than 500 poinsettia plants come into bloom. For more information about the display, visit www.balboapark.org.
Dec. 7, 8
“¢ The Make-A-Wish Foundation hosts its 18th annual Carols by Candelight concert at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. For tickets, call the center box office at (800) 98-TICKET or visit www.WishSanDiego.org.
“¢ The Holy Cross Lutheran Church will present its third annual production of “Return to Bethlehem.” For more information, visit www.holycrosssan diego.com
Dec. 7-9, 13-23, 26-30
“¢ “Garden of Lights” at Quail Botanical Gardens will feature more than 100,000 lights with activities and refreshments. For more information, call (760) 436-3036 or visit www.qbgardens.org.
Dec. 7 “” 16
“¢ The City Ballet of San Diego presents its 13th annual production of “The Nutcracker.” For showtimes and tickets, visit www.cityballet.org.
Dec. 7, 8, 9, 14 and 16
“¢ La Jolla Stage Co, presents “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by David Wiener from Charles Dickens’ classic. Special dinner show Dec. 14 (reservations required). Tickets and information: www.lajollastageco.org.
Dec. 8
“¢ The Pacific Beach Holiday Parade returns to Garnet Avenue between Mission Boulevard and Ingraham Street with plenty of floats, bands, pets and personalities from noon to 3 p.m. For information call (858) 483-6666 or visit www.PacificBeach.org.
Dec. 8
“¢ An array of illuminated boats will follow a five-mile route around the bay for the annual Mission Bay Parade of Lights from 7 to 9 p.m. The event ends with the lighting of the SeaWorld Skytower at 9 p.m. For information call (858) 488-0501.
Dec. 8
“¢ The California Center for the Arts in Escondido presents “An Irish Christmas,” with appearances by Riverdance stars. For more information, visit www.kerryrecords.com.
“¢ Celebrate Chanukah in Old Town during Festival of Lights with traditional folk songs and dances. For more information, call (619) 884-5527.
Dec. 8
“¢ Snow at Park at the Park, PETCO Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Information: www.sandiegodowntown.org.
“¢ Gaslamp Historic Foundation open house at the William Heath Davis House, 4th Street and Island Avenue, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: www.gaslamp.org.
“¢ Gingerbread House Building Contest featuring student teams from downtown schools at NBC’s Peacock Plaza, 225 Broadway, 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Information: www.sandiegodowntown.org.
Dec. 8 “” 16
“¢ Kinney Productions, Julian’s resident theatre company, will present “A Christmas Carol,” featuring locals acting in key roles. For more information, call the Julian Chamber of Commerce at (760) 765-1857.
Dec. 8 “” 23
“¢ The Julian Tea and Cottage Arts will host Victorian Christmas Teas, tea parties for young ladies ready to sip and snack. For reservations, call (866) 765-0832.
Dec. 8 “” 16
“¢ The Lavender Fields in San Diego will host a series of weekend events throughout December: Guests can enjoy a cup of lavender tea at the Holiday Tea Parties on Dec. 8 and 15; On Dec. 9, guests can participate in Mystical Afternoon Tea; herbalist Karen England will host the Culinary Bay Kitchen Wreath Class on Dec. 16. For prices and times, visit www.thelavenderfields.com
Dec. 8, 9
“¢ Join The San Diego Men’s Chorus for Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa songs, in addition to other surprises. For more information, visit www. sdmc.org.
Dec. 9
“¢ Operation Homefront will hold its annual holiday programs to bring the season spirit to military families. For more information about programs and donation deadlines, visit www.operationhomefront.net/socal.
“¢ “The Many Moods of Christmas” performed by La Jolla Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir with Orchestra, 7 p.m., free- will offering. Information: (858) 729-5531.
Dec. 9, 10
“¢ The Organ and Brass Holiday Program will feature holiday music from various countries and eras. For more information, visit www.WestwindBrass.org.
Dec. 9, 16
“¢ The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is back, and the best place to see the show is from the historic ferryboat Berkeley at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. For tickets, call (858) 268-0376.
Dec. 11
“¢ The San Diego Chorus invites everyone to its Jingle All the Way Christmas Show. For tickets, call (619) 622-8522.
“¢ Contemporary jazz artist Brian Culbertson is bringing his “Soulful Christmas” performance to San Diego. For more information, visit www.asoulfulxmas.com.
Dec. 12
The San Diego Children’s Choir Youth and Alumni ensembles present a Community Sing-along with a number of Holiday classics. For tickets, call the box office at (619) 501-3562.
“¢ Las Posadas, a live procession that re-enacts the Christmas story, returns to Old Town for the 57th year. For more information on the procession, call (619) 297-9327.
Dec. 14
“¢ San Diego Gas and Electric hosts the “Holiday Lighting Exchange Event” from 5 to 9 p.m. during the “Garden of Lights” at Quail Botanical Gardens. For more information, call (760) 436-3036 or visit www.qbgardens.org.
Dec. 14-15
“¢ Experience San Diego’s roots during Holiday in the Park Candlelight Tours in Old Town. The event will feature candlelight tours of lantern-lit museums, luminarias and entertainment. For more information, call (619) 220-5422.
Dec. 14 “” 16
“¢ The San Diego Chamber Orchestra presents an 18th-century re-creation of Handel’s “Messiah.” For show times and tickets, visit www.sdco.org
Dec. 14 “” 23
“¢ For the first time, Lyric Opera San Diego will celebrate the holidays with the classic holiday opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” For show times and prices, visit www.lyricopera sandiego.com.
Dec. 15
“¢ The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad will present A Victorian Christmas, a seasonal program that re-enacts the details of Christmas 100 years ago. For tickets, call (760) 438-5996.
“¢ Hillcrest Wind Ensemble presents “A Torrey Pines Holiday,” festive music from Strauss to swing, 7:30 p.m. at the Neurosciences Institute. Information: www.asi.edu or call (619) 692-2077, ext. 814.
“¢ Unsilent Night, an outdoor, audience participation work, returns to the Gaslamp Quarter. Guests meet at the Gaslamp Trolley Station at 5th Avenue and Harbor Drive at 6:40 p.m. Starting at 7 p.m., guests will walk through the streets of San Diego’s Gaslamp up to Horton Plaza. The walk will take approximately 40 minutes. Information: (619) 299-5371 or e-mail [email protected].
Dec. 15, 16
“¢ Seaport Village presents breakfast with Santa at the Harbor House restaurant, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Reservations required. Information: www.seaportvillage.com.
Dec. 15, 16
“¢ The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego presents Bells and Brass Holiday Concert featuring the Brass Ensemble and the Handbell Choir. For further information, call 619-57-GMCSD or visit www.GMCSD.com.
Dec. 21-23
“¢ Hispanic Arts Theatre presents the San Diego premiere of La Posada Magica at the Lyceum Theater at Horton Plaza, 79 Horton Plaza. $15 general admission, $12 children under 13, group rates (10 and up) available. Information on showtimes, call (619) 475-7496 or visit www.hispanicartstheater. com
Dec. 22
“¢ Real Simple magazine hosts Holiday Solutions this year at Fashion Valley Mall to give consumers helpful hints on holiday shopping. For more information, visit www.realsimplerewards.com/holidaysolutions.
Dec. 24
“¢ The 12th annual Memorial Christmas Motorcycle Toy Run Street Fair is back to benefit low-income families and honor babies buried in The Garden of Innocence National. For more information, visit www.shabach.org.
Dec. 31
“¢ On New Year’s eve, the Hyatt Regency in La Jolla will host a Jazz Spectacular Countdown into 2008 with food and live music. To make reservations, call the Hyatt Regency at (858) 552-1234.
“¢ The USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum presents San Diego’s own Big Daddy Orchestra performing at the New Year’s eve gala from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., 910 N Harbor Dr. Ticket information (858) 509-8900 or (619) 575-5500.