Christmas Weekend in San Diego – Football, Jazz, Sledding and Lights!

Christmas is almost here!  Can you believe it? We still have a few days to celebrate the season so let’s do it!  The 2010 Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm, local Christmas theater and music, lighting displays in your neighborhood, ice skating on Coronado Island, holiday bonfires in Old Town and  sledding on 7 tons of snow at the San Diego Botanic Garden…let’s enjoy San Diego with our family and friends!

Thursday, Dec. 23^rd

Hiroshima, Jazz Fusion band, will be playing their Holiday Sounds  at 7:30pm and 9:30pm with guest vocalist Terry Steele and harmonica player Tetsuya Nakamura (of the group “War”) at Anthology.  Tickets start at $15.

San Diego County Credit Union 2010 Poinsettia Bowl will feature the San Diego State Aztecs and the Navy Midshipmen on Thursday, Dec. 23rd at 5pm at the Qualcomm Stadium. On the day of the game, join the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl VIP’s and fans and kick-off your evening of football and fun at the VIP Tailgate Party. When you spend $40, guests will enjoy unlimited food, beer and wine at this “Mexican Fiesta” as well as private performances by the college bands and cheerleaders. This exclusive event is located in section F-1 of the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot from 2:30-4:30pm before the start of the game. Purchase your tickets here!

Friday, Dec. 24th

Rock out on Christmas Eve day at the Pacific Beach Music Fest over at the 710 Beach Club from 1pm-8pm, then head over to the Casbah and keep the party going with Los Maricones de Rock covering the Rolling Stones classics all night long for Exile on Kettner Blvd.

Ongoing Christmas Events around San Diego

Traditions of Christmas at Balboa Theatre – Through Dec. 23 You will be enchanted by customs from around the world as all your favorite Christmas stories come to life on stage. Meet Santa and enjoy the all-new Christmas Countdown of the greatest Christmas songs of all time.  There will be a Living Nativity, carols, choirs and majestic pageantry. Come see why families come back year after year to this colorful family spectacular! More information and tickets

How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre – Through Dec. 26 The traditional holiday about the Who’s in Whoville and the Grinch who tries to steal Christmas. More information and tickets.

Bonfire Nights in Old Town – Dec. 28 – 30 Presented by Fiesta de Reyes, El Fandango Restaurant, and all the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park merchants,  on Dec. 28 – 30 at 6 p.m a bonfire will light up the winter nights at dusk and free s’mores will be provided. Bonfire pit is in the Plaza, directly in front of the Visitor Center.

Festival of Christmas with Lamb’s Players Theatre – Through Dec. 29 This year we’re returning to one of our favorite Festivals – “It’s Christmas And It’s Live!” – Set in the early 1950s, this is a delightful story of an eager, young quartet breaking into the new media of television when an unexpected blizzard shuts down New York. Filled with great music of the era and the holiday season, Festival of Christmas will be enjoyed by the entire family. To purchase tickets, click here.

Garden of Lights 2010 – Through Dec. 30 After the sun goes down, the San Diego Botanic Garden is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with over 100,000 sparkling lights illuminating the Garden for a magical holiday experience. Live music fills the air nightly from 6 – 8 pm and there is a 100% chance of snow at San Diego Botanic Garden! Sunday, December 26 at 2 pm, some 7 tons of snow will be created in the Garden’s Eucalyptus Grove, for the sledding enjoyment for the young and young-at-heart.  The snow will last several days, weather permitting. Bring an innertube and join the fun!

It’s a Wonderful Life at Welk Theatre – Through Dec. 30 “It’s a Wonderful Life” exudes a retro-warmth not evident in all Christmas fables. Add to that the inventive approach by radio veteran/playwright Tony Palermo who arranges for a faux broadcast using live actors, and theatre guests become the studio audience as they reconnect with this classic story of love and redemption. More information and tickets.

Holly Jolly Holidays at Legoland – Through Dec. 31 Holiday festivities include a life-sized LEGO^® brick Santa and Reindeer, miniature Santas and reindeer delivering toys throughout Miniland USA and “Let it Snow” the musical. And every night from December 26 to the 31, we’ll be lighting up the sky with nightly fireworks at closing time.

Skating by the Sea–Through Jan. 2 Daily: 11am – 1pm (matinee), 2pm – 5pm & 6pm – 9pm The Hotel del Coronado is celebrating the sixth anniversary of Skating by the Sea, a unique Southern California experience – outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The oceanfront Windsor Lawn has been transformed into a spectacular ice rink with skating sessions offered daily. A portion of the skating proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego. Three-hour sessions cost $20 for adults and $15 for kids ages 10 and under. The two-hour matinee session costs $15 for adults and $10 for kids ages 10 and under. Skate rentals are available for $5. Visit Hotel Del Coronado’s Holiday Calendar for more events at the island hotel.

Jungle Bells at the Zoo – Through Jan. 2, 2011 At the San Diego Zoo this Christmas, you’ll find a nightly tree-lighting ceremony, bell ringers filling the air with music, and lighted animal figures dotting the grounds. Dr. Zoolittle has an interactive “Night before Christmas” show, and you can make some new friends during “Animal Magic for the Holidays” critter presentations. Munch holiday specialties, take a “Candy Cane Lane Magical Journey,” and experience even more seasonal cheer—Zoo style!

15th Annual Holiday of Lights at Del Mar – Through Jan. 2, 2011 The biggest lighted holiday display in San Diego County features more than 400 lighted animated scenes, including Toyland, Candy Cane Lane, Treasures by the Lake and Elves at Play. Returing this season, the “Holiday Hayride” every Friday night from 5:30pm to 8:30pm! Included with your ride, a Hot Chocolate or Cider and a Holiday Cookie!

San Diego Holiday Light Displays by Neighborhood From Chula Vista to Vista, these San Diego neighborhoods traditionally have holiday light displays. Visit http://www.sandiego.com/christmas/events for more information.