SeaWorld offers special holiday shows MISSION BAY — SeaWorld’s holiday show lineup will feature shows like “Shamu’s Christmas,” “The Polar Express 4-D Experience” and “Clyde and Seamore’s Night Before Christmas.” The park will also have an ice-skating rink for visitors. Santa Claus will be on hand inside his cottage to hear the wish lists of children who can also visit with holiday characters and decorate Christmas cookies in SeaWorld’s Christmas wonderland area. The special shows and attractions will run through Friday, Dec. 31. For park hours and pricing, visit www.seaworldsandiego.com. — Debbie Hatch
Luminarias return Christmas Eve for Plumosa Park Festival of Lights POINT LOMA – A holiday tradition focused on simplistic beauty will return once again on Christmas Eve. The 37th annual Plumosa Park Festival of Lights will line the streets with luminarias from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 24. “It’s very heavenly. It’s not brash and it’s not overpowering,” said Dell Schroeder, local resident and festival participant. Neighbor Carol Settles brought the tradition of luminarias — votive candles in lunch sacks lining sidewalks in area neighborhoods — from Arizona in 1956. The tradition expanded and became an annual ritual in 1973 when the city was in a power crisis and urged local residents to shy away from putting lights on their houses. The festival now includes all of the streets with flower names in Loma Portal. Schroeder said about 300 local residences will participate, with each house putting out an average of 10 luminarias. — Anthony Gentile
Jungle Bells returns
BALBOA PARK — The San Diego Zoo will host Jungle Bells through Sunday, Jan. 2. The zoo will remain open until 8 p.m. Jungle Bells includes elves, light shows, magic shows and a nightly tree lighting. Jungle Bells is free with paid admission to the zoo, www.sandiegozoo.org. Jazz band headlines party for T.O.D.D.L.E.R.S. and seniors PACIFIC BEACH — The T.O.D.D.L.E.R.S. (Together Opportunities to Discover and Develop Literacy, Enrichment and Recreation Skills) group, which meets at the Pacific Beach Recreation Center on Sundays, will host area senior citizens for a year-end party on Sunday, Dec. 26. The free event will feature the Mission Bay High School Dixieland Jazz Band. The multi-generational event will also include light refreshments. The party is free and open to T.O.D.D.L.E.R.S., seniors and their families. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1405 Diamond St. For more information call Bill (619) 920-1032. Friday, Dec. 24
La Jolla • Photos with Santa at the UTC Westfield mall, 9 a.m., 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, (858) 546-8858 • Christmas Eve Happy Hour, 11 a.m., La Jolla Brew House, 7356 Fay Ave., $10 holiday dinner specials and $4 holiday drink specials, (858) 456-6279, www.lajollabrewhouse.com • Full Measure Carolers and the Rockin’ Cranberries, 1 p.m., UTC Westfield mall, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, (858) 546-8858, free Saturday, Dec. 25
Point Loma/ Ocean Beach • Free pancake breakfast, 8 a.m., First Baptist Church of Ocean Beach, 4790 Santa Monica Ave., includes pancakes and chili La Jolla • Christmas Day Dinner and Celebration, 3 p.m., La Jolla Brew House, 7356 Fay Ave., three-course holiday dinner with complimentary glass of champagne, holiday movies, $4 pint specials, call (858) 456-6279. For reservations, visit www.lajollabrewhouse.com Downtown Sunday, Dec. 26
Point Loma/ Ocean Beach • Fourth Annual Free Day of Dance!, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features free dance classes all day with San Diego Dance Theater, Malashock Dance and San Diego Ballet. All experience levels welcome. The event takes place at Dance Place San Diego, 2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 207. For more information, visit www.sandiegodancetheater.org. La Jolla Pacific Beach/ Mission Beach • T.O.D.D.L.E.R.S. (Together Opportunities to Discover and Develop Literacy, Enrichment and Recreation Skills), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St., parent and toddler fun. Free. For information, call Bill at (619) 920-1032