Global Winter Wonderland
The winter holiday festival that was a big hit in Sacramento is coming to San Diego for the first time this weekend. Global Winter Wonderland features the largest display of traditional Chinese lanterns outside of China.
The large, luminescent, hand-crafted lanterns are inspired by international landscapes and landmarks, such as the Taj Mahal and Eiffel Tower, allowing guests to “travel around the world” for the holiday season.
There are also acrobat performances, holiday-themed activities, games and carnival rides. The festival opens Sunday at SDCCU Stadium and goes through January 7, 2018.
Tickets are $22 for adults and $19 for children and seniors.
Santee Holiday Tree Lighting
The city of Santee hosts a Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday at Santee Trolley Square.
The celebration features snow sledding, horse-drawn trolley and wagon rides, mini-express train rides, petting zoo and other holiday activities. Good girls and boys may also have their photos taken with Santa after telling him what toys they wanted this year.
Live music by the Bayou Brothers opens the celebration with the tree lighting slated to start at 6:30 p.m. The free event goes till 8:30 p.m. Parking is limited and festival-goers are encouraged to take the trolley.
Encinitas Fall Festival
The Encinitias Fall Festival is back this Sunday with more than 450 booths and dozens of unique retailers for you to get a head start on your holiday shopping.
The festival spans several blocks on Coast Highway and features multiple music stages and a Kids Zone.
The focus of the festival is on arts, handmade crafts, antiques, and ethnic imports. The free event goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting
This event is for the foodie in you. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival goes through Sunday, but if you can only go for one day, then Saturday’s the day. It’s the grand finale, appropriately known as The Grand Tasting.
The event has more than 150 wine, spirit and beer vendors from around the world giving you a taste of what they have to offer. You can also sample from more than 30 gourmet food companies.
Saturday’s highlight includes the “Chef of the Fest” that will determine who’s the best among 60 of San Diego’s top chef chefs. The winning chef will walk away with up to $50,000 in cash and prizes.
The Grand Tasting goes from noon to 3 p.m. at the Embarcadero. Tickets are $135 general admission and $85 for designated drivers.
Hip Hop Nutcracker
Here’s a new take on a holiday classic. A contemporary re-imagination of Tchaikovsky’s classic, the ‘Hip Hop Nutcracker‘ is set in 1980s Brooklyn.
Through the spells cast by the mysterious Drosselmeyer, Maria-Clara and her Nutcracker prince, travel back in time to the moment when her parents first meet in a nightclub. The show includes hip-hop interludes remixed and reimagined by DJ Boo as well as an on-stage electric violinist and performed b a cast of all-star dancers.
The ‘Hip Hop Nutcracker’ is playing at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Theatre. Tickets start at $35.
Mother Goose Parade
It’s the annual holiday kick-off celebration featuring whimsical floats, clowns, bands and equestrians. The 71st annual Mother Goose Parade is the largest of its type west of the Mississippi and the biggest parade in San Diego County.
The parade features more than 100 entries, including floats and marching bands. The route begins on Main
Street at El Cajon Boulevard, and proceeds east to First Street.
The Mother Goose Parade starts at 1 p.m. and goes to 3 p.m.
