In celebration of the holiday season, Point Loma’s Liberty Station will host an array of activities this weekend with a double-punch gala of “Christmas on the Promenade” and the historic North Chapel’s “Musical Salute to San Diego’s Military Families.”
The celebration will include Christmas carols, a two-day musicfest, a chance to meet Santa Claus and a snow hill for sledding.
This year marks the second anniversary for “Christmas on the Promenade,” an all-ages event featuring festivities like live, holiday-themed performances, a petting zoo, face painting, holiday food and beverages and snow. Santa Claus will be on hand for photos and autographs. As part of a drawing to benefit local nonprofit organizations, more than a dozen Christmas trees, each decorated in various themes, will be on display at the event.
One organization in particular to benefit will be Kids Included Together.
“We’re a nonprofit [organization] that focuses on the inclusion of kids with disabilities into out-of-school-time activities,” said Alicia Cook, events and marketing associate for KIT. She said she looks forward to seeing the San Diego community come together for a good time and a good cause.
“It’s our way of inviting everybody to come and see NTC and also learn a lot more about Kids Included Together, as well as the other nonprofits that are here,” she said.
“Christmas on the Promenade” takes place on Friday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Tickets for rides and games will be available for purchase at the event.
Liberty Station’s North Chapel, 2881 Roosevelt St., will also ring in the season with its “Musical Salute to San Diego’s Military Families,” a series of holiday performances. The historic chapel, built in 1942, has traditionally served as a spiritual gathering place for recruits at the former Naval Training Center, according to Bridget Wear, director of marketing for the North Chapel. However, the building, which is experiencing a renaissance after undergoing recent renovations ” including a restored organ ” now serves as a venue for live musical performances, concerts, dramatic productions and weddings, according to Wear.
“The ceiling of the chapel has been restored with an acoustical ceiling,” Wear said. “It’s a beautiful venue for all kinds of events.”
The musical event, which will take place over the course of two days, will feature performers like world-renowned opera singer Martha Jane Howe, who will kick off the event at 6 p.m. on Friday. Also appearing will be The Cabrillo Singers, a choral ensemble directed by Myron Tweed; a children’s choir singing Christmas tunes and an adult bell ensemble of four-and-a-half octaves directed by Ann Simoneau, according to Wear. American Guild of Organists members Alicia McMillin and George Butterfield will also perform Christmas melodies. Local soloist Sarah Suhonen will also perform holiday jazz selections.
The event takes place on Friday, Dec. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. with a break between 2 and 5 p.m.
“We welcome the entire community to come and celebrate a holiday concert ” free to the entire community,” Wear said.
For more information on the North Chapel holiday concert series, visit www.thenorth-chapel.com. For more information on “Christmas on the Promenade,” visit www.christmasonthepromenade.org.