![\"Seaport](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Seaport-santa-300x200.jpg\")
\u201cHe\u2019s the original San Diego Santa Clause,\u201d added Scott Andrews, the event\u2019s marketing director.<\/p>\n
Holidays at Seaport Village takes place throughout the month of December, having kicked off last weekend with Smith arriving at the village on watercraft Saturday, Nov. 30, for his signature Surfin\u2019 Santa reveal, parade and photo-op session. In 2013, USA Today named Smith\u2019s arrival one of the \u201c10 best Santa sightings in America.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always been a popular event,\u201d said Smith, who will also be the guest of honor at \u201cBreakfast with Surfin\u2019 Santa\u201d at Harbor House Restaurant Saturday, Dec. 14. From 9 to 11 a.m., holiday guests can chow down and take pictures with Smith, get their face painted, enjoy balloon artists and a kids show. Every Saturday in December will also feature Smith\u2019s band Jackstraws, also known as the \u201cSurfing Santa Band,\u201d who will play Beach Boys-inspired music while fashioning Santa hats and other Christmas attire.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe crowds are wonderful, and the support is great,\u201d added Smith. \u201cSeaport\u2019s holiday festivities have always been big and they\u2019re getting bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year will likely be Seaport\u2019s largest holiday bash to date, according to Andrews. Holidays at Seaport will be featuring more entertainment than ever before, with their \u201cHolidays by the Bay\u201d partnering with Nomad Artz, to showcasing candy cane stilt walkers and pop-music carolers Saturdays and Sundays from now until Dec. 22nd, as well as a human-sized, beach-themed snow globe with a dancer contortionist inside, featured Dec. 8 and 15. Plus, live music from jazz and orchestral to contemporary will be up for enjoyment everyday by the food courts.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re really excited to bring these creative characters together,\u201d said Nomad Artz Costume and Booking Manager Layla Marcus. \u201cThis is a time for families to get together to celebrate the holidays and San Diego culture as well. We don\u2019t get the snow, but we do get the sun and the waves and it gives us an excuse to be outside and just play.\u201d<\/p>\n But Holidays at Seaport Village is also adopting a philanthropic approach this year, joining forces with Surfrider Foundation San Diego to display Surfrider artist works, like a Christmas tree made entirely out of repurposed trash, to promote sustainability and bring awareness to plastic pollution in the oceans. Seaport Village is also inviting guests to donate new toys at \u201cSanta\u2019s Workshop\u201d (located in front of the Harbor House), which will be gifted to Toys for Tots.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a way we can impact our guests in an active and positive way,\u201d said Andrews. \u201cThe holidays are not just about entertainment, it\u2019s also a season for giving.\u201d<\/p>\n Feeding San Diego will also have an ornament-making station near Santa\u2019s Workshop, where families and friends can create angels out of plastic spoons and write encouraging messages to be put in Feeding San Diego food-filled backpacks that go out on Fridays to kids in need of meals.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a really great opportunity for us to get the message out about the face of hunger in our community,\u201d said Charina Layman from Feeding San Diego. \u201cEspecially during times like this, when we have the threat of wildfires, people fall into need very easily being displaced from their homes and having to make difficult choices.\u201d<\/p>\n While it\u2019s still one of his more taxing jobs, it\u2019s these nonprofit connections and the greater-good focus which has made Surfin\u2019 Santa Smith\u2019s favorite Santa role.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a unique energy that comes with this particular event,\u201d said Smith. \u201cThis event really means a lot to me and I\u2019m proud of what they do. It\u2019s a big reason why playing this Santa character has become so special to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Other Holidays at Seaport Village activities include holiday film screenings by Seaport Cinema, photos with Santa at Santa\u2019s Workshop, San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (Dec. 8 and 15), and a Menorah lighting on Dec. 28. For more information on tickets and times, visit seaportvillage.com\/holidays<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Seaport](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/santa-car-300x200.jpg\")