The Pacific Beach holiday season begins with Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 30, and kicks off in full swing with Christmas on Crystal Pier on Dec. 7 and then continues with the Santa Run and Holiday Parade, both on Dec. 14.
Yuletide events are hosted by Discover PB, the beach community’s business improvement district.
“This year marks the 40th Holiday Parade, and while we used to claim the longest-running parade, sadly, we had to cancel it a few years back,” said Discover PB executive director Sara Berns. “Don’t let that happen again. We are always looking for donations and sponsorships to help keep the parade going.”
Added Berns: “Any proceeds of our holiday events go to school supply donations for our PB elementary schools, or to help pay for the parade the following year. We are accepting school donations at Christmas on Crystal Pier as well.”
School supplies needed include family-size hand sanitizers, tissue boxes, color, and white copy paper, staplers and staples, adult scissors, Post-its, white yardstick paper, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, and colored pencils and markers. Small Business Saturday
The 10th annual Small Business Saturday celebrates small businesses and the positive impact it has on communities nationwide. American Express, having created the event in 2010, works with organizations and independent businesses to provide solutions that support communities and uplift local economies. An average two-thirds of every dollar ($0.67) spent at a small business in the U.S. stays in that local community helping to bring things like better schools, smoother roads, and new jobs.
Discover PB will kicks-off the shopping season with Shop Local discount cards and specials promoted on its social media. Follow @discoverpb so you don’t miss out on any deals. Discover PB will also host holiday events throughout the month including a business window-decorating contest. Grab a hot chocolate and check out decorative storefronts throughout the business district. Christmas on Crystal Pier
Tree lighting at sunset and decorated wreaths are hung on the end of historic Crystal Pier while guests may take photos with Santa on Dec. 7. No photos with Santa are guaranteed if arriving after 3:45 p.m. The end of Crystal Pier will be closed to the general public until 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 or $5 with a donation of supplies to help local schools. Holiday Parade
Starts at Garnet Avenue and Haines Street and ends at Garnet Avenue and Bayard Street on Dec. 14. Keep the cheer in PB with this year’s parade theme “Holiday Treats.”
Build a float or decorate your business with visions of sugar plums and your favorite treats. The parade will have something for everyone — the young, young at heart and even family four-legged members. Spend the day participating in the events, just spectating, or knocking off some holiday shopping at local neighborhood businesses. PB has it all from unique gifts, artwork and personalized ideas (think gift cards). San Diego Santa Run
PB’s most colorful holiday event, imagine scores of red-clad Santas converging in the annual run the morning of the parade. The run is actually three races, with the 5K Santa Run starting at 9 a.m. There is also a competitive Speedy Santa Mile Race and a Santa’s Little Helper Mile (Dog Run) race for kids age 12 and under. Parents are welcome to join their children.
All 5K adult participants receive a Santa suit, hat, short-sleeve jacket, shorts, belt, and beard as well as one drink ticket and a pair of San Diego Santa Run sunglasses. For more information, visit pacificbeach.org, call 858-273-3303 or email [email protected]. PACIFIC BEACH HOLIDAY EVENTS
Shop Local For the Holidays – Nov. 30 to Jan. 1 throughout PB.
Christmas on Crystal Pier – Saturday, Dec. 7, 2-5 p.m.
San Diego Santa Run – Saturday, Dec. 14, 7:30 a.m.-noon.
40th annual PB Holiday Parade – Saturday, Dec. 14, 1 p.m.
