The holiday season is one of the most special times of the year in downtown San Diego. Everywhere you look, there’s festive décor. And the best part? There are lots of fun events happening! Here’s a glimpse at some highlights. • In Little Italy, there’s a unique event called Kettner Nights that’s held the second Friday of every other month. About a dozen art galleries and design-related businesses along Kettner and India in the Art & Design District will be open Friday, Nov. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is free to the public and some of the locations serve beverages and snacks. Photographer Nick Abadilla, who has participated in Kettner Nights the last five years, said it provides wonderful exposure for local artists. “The community needs to see and appreciate the homegrown creativity right in our own town,” Abadillo said. “Plus, it’s invigorating to gain a sense of the creative process. Often, I think, it can spark new ideas and opportunities for both the attendees and the artists.” • When it comes to innovative ideas, the Palm Restaurant has developed a winning concept in its themed dinner nights. Held three to four times a year, the themed dinners are fun, interactive and educational. The next themed event will be the Glenfiddich Scotch Dinner on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. Guests will sit down to a specially handcrafted four-course dinner paired with a selection of fine Glenfiddich Scotch Whisky. A Glenfiddich Brand ambassador will co-host the evening and guide guests through the tasting of the world’s most handcrafted single malt Scotch whisky. Guests are always in for a special treat as the chef finds creative ways to incorporate the distilled beverage, liquor or spirit in each course. The event costs $90 per person for 837 Club members and $110 per person for non-members, and space is limited to 20-30 guests. To make a reservation, e-mail [email protected]. • A new neighborhood-style bar is coming to Seventh and J Street. Bubs at the Ballpark opens this month and owner Todd Brown said this location will have a different vibe than its Pacific Beach locale. “I’ve wanted to open a downtown bar and this is the right location at the right time,” he said. “It’ll be a classic neighborhood bar that’s a quick walk to the ballpark.” The new bar will feature larger than life garage doors that take you outside to an elevated deck. Guests can either sit outside on the deck or head indoors for some action on their basketball hoop. Yes, you can get in a game of HORSE. And if that’s not enough, they’ll also have shuffleboard. • And finally, the San Diego Zoo is gearing up for a cool, four-day festivity from Nov. 11 to 14. Mission Fed’s Discovery Days: Festival of Flight is an educational and thrill-filled class in coordination with Trapeze High, San Diego County’s only flying trapeze school. Participants will learn a variety of acrobatic stunts while swinging off a 20-foot-high platform. The class is designed for ages five through adult and the cost is $69 per person. To register, call (619) 718-3000. — Marc & Darlynne Menkin are the co-owners of Where You Want To Be Tours. www.wheretours.com WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The skating rink next to Horton Plaza will be on the scene again in late November. Take a photo of you and a person wearing skates, in a freeze-frame dance pose and post it on our Where You Want To Be Tours Facebook page. The best photo wins two tickets to a public scavenger hunt!