Lace up your skates and glide into the Yuletide as Fantasy on Ice outdoor ice rink kicks off its second year at Liberty Station on Thursday, Nov. 17. Located behind the Dick Laub NTC Command Center at 2640 Historic Decatur Road, the rink has raised more than $1 million for the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital, and is the only holiday rink in San Diego where 100 percent of proceeds directly benefit the nonprofit. Fantasy on Ice officially opens with live performances from San Diego’s best ice-bound talents and will remain open to the public through Jan. 8, giving a North Pole makeover to Liberty Station’s historic barracks and plazas. Tree lighting
Light up the season during Liberty Station’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30. Grab blankets and folding chairs and nab a seat on the lawn underneath the neighborhood’s historic 100-foot Norfolk pine. Enjoy a display of thousands of twinkling lights and colorful ornaments while the kiddos rock around the tree to the tunes of the Matt Smith New Jazz Trio. Santa will be roving around as well, greeting well-wishers and spreading holiday joy. New this year, a European-style Holiday Pop-Up Market featuring local eateries and shops will set up around the tree, inviting patrons to grab a bite, some sips and a few gift-able goodies. Participants include Moniker General, Buona Forchetta, Venissimo Cheese, The LOT, Comickaze, Liberty Public Market’s Pasta Design and more. With an obstacle course courtesy of Kid Ventures, parents can let the kids loose while they relax and take in the wonders of the season. As the clock strikes 6 p.m., gather round to countdown the official tree lighting, lead by an Honored Patient Family from charity partner Rady Children’s Hospital. Liberty Station will also be hosting a toy drive for the hospital, and encourages visitors to bring an unwrapped toy to be distributed to some of the hospital’s most in-need patients. Friday Night Liberty
Experience everything Liberty Station’s new Arts District has to offer as artists and tenants take a creative approach to gift giving through a Friday Night Liberty December themed “Holiday Gifts with a Creative Twist” from 5 to 9 p.m. Mingle with the artists in the open-air promenade and shop for uniquely crafted handmade gifts from local craftsmen. Visitors can start their stroll at the Information Desk in the Dick Laub NTC Command Center at 2640 Historic Decatur Road to pick up a monthly program and district map. The evening of holiday celebrations is complete with visits to museums and galleries, alongside live dance, theatre, and musical performances. Holiday Block Party
The halls will be decked with boughs of holly to ring in Liberty Station’s second annual Holiday Block Party, taking place 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Fill your belly with holiday cheer as the neighborhood’s unique eateries and artist studios pull out all the stops for Santa’s sleigh. Keeping their doors open late, galleries such as M Fishbeck Studio Gallery and Pachis Art Studio for Kids will be hosting pop-up shops and special gifts with purchase, while neighborhood restaurants including Solare, Fireside by the Patio, Liberty Public Market and more will be serving special complimentary bites. Singalong with the merry carolers from Recreational Music Center, and soak up the best of the holidays with ice skating, kid-friendly activities and good friends.
