Friday, Dec. 20
Jungle Bells: The San Diego Zoo transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Guests enjoy lighted animal displays, live animal shows, special presentations, festive music, holiday treats, storytelling and, of course, Santa Claus. Runs until Jan. 5. Ticket prices and additional information at sandiegozoo.org.
Preschool story time: 10:30 – 11 a.m., every Friday at the Mission Hills Branch Library, 925 W. Washington St., free.
Cinema Under the Stars: 8 p.m., screening “A Christmas Story” 4040 Goldfinch St., tickets start at $14.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Gentle Bike Ride: 8:30 a.m. every Saturday, a gentle bike ride through Balboa Park hosted by Hillcrest’s The Center. Meet at the small parking lot on the left hand side as you enter the Park from 6th Ave. and Upas St, free.
Golden Hill Farmers Market: 8 a.m. – noon every Saturday, B St. between 27th and 28th streets, free.
Old Town Artisan Market: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Saturday, Harney St., free.
Little Italy Mercato: 4 – 10 p.m. every Saturday, Date St., free.
University Heights Open Aire Market: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. every Saturday, 4100 Normal St., free.
Children’s Craft Time: 10 a.m. every Saturday, kids can develop their artistic skills while enjoying a fun craft time at the Mission Hills Branch Library, 925 W. Washington St., free.
UH Library Children’s Program: 10:30 a.m., arts and crafts event for children, University Heights Library, 4193 Park Blvd, free.
Cinema Under the Stars: 8 p.m., screening “A Christmas Story” 4040 Goldfinch St., tickets start at $14.
Sunday, Dec. 22
Hillcrest Farmers Market: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., every Sunday, Hillcrest DMV, 3960 Normal St., free.
Organ Concert: 2 p.m., music by organist Carol Williams, Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park, free.
Monday, Dec. 23
Bottled & Kegged: SD’s Craft Brew Culture: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily until Jan. 20, learn why San Diego County is becoming globally recognized for quality craft beer production and industry-changing innovation, San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado #3, Balboa Park, $3 – 6.
Tuesday, Dec. 24
Jazz & Pop Concert: 6:30 p.m., Amelia Browning and Aaron Turner perform jazz and pop standards in a cabaret format, Martinis Above Fourth, 3940 Fourth Ave., #200., free.
Turnback Tuesdays: 7 – 10 p.m., retro drag show of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, Lips Restaurant, 3036 El Cajon Blvd, $15 food minimum.
Old Mission Rotary: 12 p.m., regular weekly meeting of the Old Mission Rotary Club, Best Western Seven Seas, 411 Hotel Circle South.
Talmadge Maintenance Assessment District: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., 4th Tuesday of the month at Franklin Elementary School, 4481 Copeland Ave.
Tasty Truck Tuesdays: 6 – 9 p.m., every Tuesday night Smitty’s Service Station hosts several food trucks under their well-lit shade structure, live music, Smitty’s Service Station, 3442 Adams Ave., Free.
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day Brunch Cruise: 11:30 a.m., experience a lavish, traditional Christmas brunch buffet aboard a luxurious yacht while you enjoy the calm waters and beautiful scenery of the San Diego Bay, Hornblower Cruises, San Diego Grape St. Pier 1800 N. Harbor Dr., $60 plus taxes and additional fees.
Skating by the Sea: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until Jan. 5, enjoy outdoor ice-skating on a rink overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, $23 per adult, $18 for children 10 and under.
Thursday, Dec. 26
North Park Farmers Market: 3 – 7 p.m. every Thursday in the parking lot behind CVS at 32nd St. and University Ave., free.
Gentle Yoga for Seniors: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. every Thursday, presented by The Center and Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach (SAYCO). SAYCO’s mission is to improve the health and overall wellbeing of all seniors, regardless of age, physical ability or financial status, The Center, 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest, free.
Poinsettia Bowl: 6:30 p.m., the annual San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl matches the top teams from the Mountain West and Mid-American Conferences. This year Utah State plays Northern Illinois, Qualcomm Stadium, tickets and information at poinsettiabowl.com.
Friday, Dec. 27
SDGLN Birthday Benefit: 7 – 9 p.m., SDGLN Editor-in-Chief Ken Williams’s birthday bash. The event benefits FilmOut San Diego, a local LGBT film and arts organization, Redwing Bar & Grill, 4012 30th St. in North Park.
Preschool Story Time: 10:30 – 11 a.m., every Friday at the Mission Hills Branch Library, 925 W. Washington St., free.
Saturday, Dec. 28
[See Saturday, Dec. 21 for reoccurring Saturday events]
Contra Dancing: 7:30 – 11 p.m., No partners or experience required, all ages, Trinity United Methodist Church, 3030 Thorn St., $8.
Sunday, Dec. 29
[See Sunday, Dec. 22 for reoccurring Sunday events
Monday, Dec. 30
Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade: 10 a.m., the scenic, bayside streets of Downtown San Diego will come alive with the 2013 Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade — a National University Holiday Bowl Production. Harbor Dr. San Diego.
Holiday Bowl: 7:15 p.m., Qualcomm Stadium. Football teams from the Big 12 and Pac-12 Conferences face off at this 36th annual college Bowl game. Arizona State plays Texas Tech. Tickets and information available at holidaybowl.com.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Old Mission Rotary: 12 p.m., regular weekly meeting of the Old Mission Rotary Club, Best Western Seven Seas, 411 Hotel Circle South.
Tasty Truck Tuesdays: 6 – 9 p.m., every Tuesday night Smitty’s Service station hosts several food trucks under their well-lit shade structure, live music, Smitty’s Service, 3442 Adams Ave., free.
Pajama Storytime: 6:30 – 7 p.m., every Tuesday, children are invited for storytime fun with books, singing, and puppets. Feel free to come dressed in your pajamas! Mission Hills Branch Library 925 W. Washington St., free.
Wednesday, Jan. 1
New Year’s Concert 2014: Salute To Vienna: 2:30 p.m., usher in the New Year with “Salute to Vienna,” patterned after Vienna’s world famous Neujahrskonzert. Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., San Diego, $25 – 85.
Thursday, Jan. 2
North Park Farmers Market: 3 – 7 p.m. every Thursday in the parking lot behind CVS at 32nd St. and University Ave., free.
University Heights Parks & Recreation Council: 5:30 p.m., monthly meeting occurs on the first Thursday of the month at Alice Birney School library, 4345 Campus Ave.
University Heights Community Association: 6:30 p.m., monthly meeting occurs on the first Thursday of the month at Alice Birney Elementary School auditorium, 4345 Campus Dr.
Balboa Park Committee: 6 – 8 p.m., monthly meeting occurs on the first Thurs. of the month at Balboa Park Club, Santa Fe Room, 2150 Pan American Rd.
Gentle Yoga for Seniors: 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. every Thursday, presented by The Center and Silver Age Yoga Community Outreach (SAYCO). SAYCO’s mission is to improve the health and overall wellbeing of all seniors, regardless of age, physical ability or financial status, The Center, 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest, free.
Email calendar item submissions to [email protected].
