MUST SEE The San Diego Symphony will ring in the holidays with two can’t-miss cultural concerts that will take its guests around the world this season. From Dec. 21-23, San Diego’s favorite holiday music tradition will return at the Copley Symphony Hall for four performances of “A Celtic Celebration,” a festive Irish holiday performance featuring the revered San Diego Symphony and Grammy Award-winning nine-time all-Ireland fiddle champion Eileen Ivers. Traditional Irish holiday favorites including “The Holly Tree,” “Don Oiche Ud im Beithil,” “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and “Wexford Carol” are just some of the tunes that will entertain the crowd, along with special pre-concert activities, including an appearance by Celtic Santa, a performance by the San Diego-based band, Raggle Taggle, and demonstrations by professional costumers. On Jan 1 at 2:30 p.m., the magical sounds of a new year in Vienna will also descend on Copley Symphony Hall for “Salute to Vienna,” a re-creation of Austria’s world famous New Year’s concert featuring a cast of 75 talented musicians, singers and dancers right here in San Diego. The performance will showcase operetta excerpts of Johann Strauss, Jr. and the music of Emmerich Kalman in addition to waltz, polka and ballet performances by internationally renowned dance companies, including the Kiev-Aniko Ballet of Ukraine. Tickets to both concerts are $20-$85 and are available at www.sandiegosymphony.org. Copley Symphony Hall is located at 750 B St. Call (619) 235-0800 for more information. MUST CHAT The multi-talented Kellerman family will pay a visit to the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (LFJCC) to conclude the 18th annual San Diego Jewish Book Fair with a one-night-only post-fair special appearance on Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The Kellerman clan includes bestselling author duo Jonathan and his wife Faye, as well as their son Jesse, who has published four novels and a play. The special event will wrap up the country’s largest Jewish book fair with discussions with the family of authors about their latest works and how their faith as practicing Orthodox Jews often drive the themes of their published works. Tickets to the event are $14 for JCC members and $17 for nonmembers and are available at www.sdcjc.org/ajl/lectureseries or by calling (858) 457-3030. The book discussion will take place at the Samuel & Rebecca Astor Judaica Library, located on the LFJCC campus at 4126 Executive Drive. MUST GO For some, the holidays can be a difficult time. Whether from losing a loved one, a job, a relationship or otherwise, La Jolla United Methodist Church is holding a ‘blue’ Christmas service on Dec. 21 for those who experience the blues over the holiday season. Face the season’s traditional merriment with others who may feel alone, discouraged, disconnected or bereft for a quiet gathering to worship, remember, and bring light to darkness. The free service will take place at 7 p.m. at the church’s sanctuary followed by a fellowship time with hot coffee, cookies and conversation in the church’s Memorial Hall. La Jolla United Methodist Church is located at 6063 La Jolla Blvd. For more information, visit www.lajollaunitedmethodist.org or call (858) 454-7108. MUST HEAR La Jolla Presbyterian Church will double the holiday fun this year with not one, but two, chancel choir Christmas concerts on Dec. 16. The live musical performance will celebrate the Christmas season with a collection of works featuring Bach’s cherished masterwork “Magnificat” — a compilation that reflects on Mary’s response to the news that she will bear the Messiah. The concerts, which will take place at 4 and 7 p.m., will also showcase the handbell, chancel and youth and children’s choirs performing traditional carols and Christmas favorites. No tickets are required for the concert, but a free-will offering will be received. La Jolla Presbyterian Church is located at 7715 Draper Ave. For more information, visit www.ljpresmusic.com or call (858) 729-5511. THURSDAY, Dec. 13 • La Jolla Town Council meeting, 5 p.m., La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St., (858) 454-1444, www.lajollatowncouncil.org, free • The Adam & Kim Birthday Show, 8 p.m., The Comedy Store, 916 Pearl Street, featuring performances by Adam Wolpe, Kim Thompson, Jon Shefsky, Pat Puccini, Bijan Mostafavi, Nick Crosby and headliner Jerrod Carmichael, (858) 454-9176, www.thecomedystore.com, $8 and two drink minimum per person • Holiday blanket drive, business hours, Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., drop off blankets to be donated to Father Joe’s Villages anytime during business hours through Dec. 16, (858) 454-0347 FRIDAY, Dec. 14 • Reader’s Theater, 7:30 p.m., La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., celebrate the season with staged reading performances of a holiday classic that is sure to uplift your spirits, (858) 459-0831, www.ljcommunitycenter.org, free • Holiday blanket drive, business hours, Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., drop off blankets to be donated to Father Joe’s Villages anytime during business hours through Dec. 16, (858) 454-0347 SATURDAY, Dec. 15 • Third annual Teen Coalition Dodgeball Tournament, 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, battle it out with teens from all over San Diego with prizes for the best dressed team and for tournament winners, registration required, (858) 362-1331, [email protected], $7 per player • “Holiday Singing Around the World,” 2:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of San Diego, 5055 Governor Drive, Cedar Center Chorus and Pacificaires present a cultural holiday concert featuring songs from around the world, (858) 457-4827, www.fbcsd.com, free-will donations welcomed • “Songs of the Sea and Carols of the Season,” 6 p.m., La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., festive holiday concert featuring Elizabeth Podsiadlo, the “opera-singing chef” along with pianist John Danke and baritone Patrick Andersen, hors d’oeuvres, wine and Podsiadlo’s beggar’s fish soup will also be served, (858) 459-0831, www.ljcommunitycenter.org, $20 members, $30 nonmembers • Student harp recital, 11 a.m., La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., winter recital presented by Harp Enchantment, (858) 459-0831, www.ljcommunitycenter.org, free • Holiday blanket drive, business hours, Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., drop off blankets to be donated to Father Joe’s Villages anytime during business hours through Dec. 16, (858) 454-0347 SUNDAY, Dec. 16 • “A Celebration of Carols,” 4 p.m., La Jolla United Methodist Church, 6063 La Jolla Blvd., annual Christmas concert featuring the chancel and dorian bell choirs under the expert direction of conductor Robert Wuertz, www.lajollaunitedmethodist.org, free-will offering received • La Jolla Open Aire Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., La Jolla Elementary School, this Sunday, get your photo taken with Santa by C&H Photo and Outside the Lens for just $5. The cost includes an 8×10 print (and CD upon request), and all proceeds will go to victims of Hurricane Sandy. Shoppers will also be entertained by the La Jolla High School Madrigals choir from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 1111 Marine St., (858) 454-1699, www.lajollamarket.com, free • Holiday blanket drive, business hours, Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., drop off blankets to be donated to Father Joe’s Villages anytime during business hours through Dec. 16, (858) 454-0347 MONDAY, Dec. 17 • “How the Grouch Stole Christmas,” 8 p.m., UCSD Porter’s Pub, 9500 Gilman Drive, hip hop performance with The Grouch & Eligh, Mistah F.A.B., Prof and DJ Fresh, (858) 213-3890, www.porterspub.com, general admission $20, VIP admission $50 TUESDAY, Dec. 18 • Reader’s Theater, 7:30 p.m., La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., celebrate the season with staged reading performances of a holiday classic that is sure to uplift yoru spirits, (858) 459-0831, www.ljcommunitycenter.org, free WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19 • The Bunnell Strings in concert with Hannah Ford and Olen Ellis, 7 p.m., La Jolla Christian Fellowship, 627 Genter St., Christmas concert featuring the beloved, family quintet along with singer-songwriter Hannah Ford and guitarist Olen Ellis, (858) 414-6253, www.ljcf.net, free-will offering received • Children’s storytime, 3 p.m., Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St., (858) 454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org, free THURSDAY, Dec. 20 • La Jolla Town Council SunSetter, 5 to 7 p.m., Amici’s, 811 Prospect St., come mix and mingle with community leaders in politics, the arts and nonprofits as well as merchants, business professionals and neighbors, (858) 518-3086, [email protected], $5 LJTC members, $10 nonmembers, free for nonmembers who sign up and pay dues at the event • The Cheese Concierge, 2 to 4 p.m., Warwick’s, 7812 Girard Ave., presented in conjunction with Venissimo Cheese, the event features three holiday cheeses (about 1 pound total) with descriptions, wine pairings and cooking instructions for $25, pre-order by 5 p.m. on Dec. 19 at (858) 454-0347