Holiday Fun: Things To Do In San Diego For the Holidays

I'm listening to the rain falling outside my window and I'm snuggled up in bed with my dog at my feet in my favorite pajamas and I couldn't help but get excited for the holidays. Despite losing my job, I have a lot to be thankful for this year, specifically the health of my friends and family, the joy my niece brings, the excitement of the birth of my nephew (due on Christmas Day!) and the safe deployment and recent return of my brother from Iraq. Not to mention the elation I feel with the presidential election.

As always, there are lots of fun activities this holiday season. Click 'keep on reading' to read all about some of them.

1. December Nights (Formerly Christmas On The Prado)- This family friendly annual event takes place this year on Friday, December 5 from 5-10p and Saturday December 6 from noon-10pm. There are children's activities, singers, dancers, choirs, pictures with Santa, food tastings and more. The event is free. Parking is available around the park with shuttles available from City College.
2. Fantasy on Ice: The outdoor ice rink at Horton Plaza is back. Benefitting the Rady Children's Cancer Care Center, the rink will be open through January 4. Open daily rom 10am-10pm, the cost is $10 for adults, $8 for kids under 10, and $2 for skate rental. I have gone for the past couple years and my recommendation is to take extra socks because they will get soaked, and avoid midday skating, when the ice melts and has a lot of water floating on top. Also, leave your bags and personal items at home or locked in your car, because people just shove personal belongings under benches. Note: The Hotel Del also has an outdoor skating rink through January 3, for $10-$20 depending on the session and $5 skate rental.
3. NBC Tree Lighting- in conjunction with the Fantasy on Ice, we get our own "Rockefeller Square" type tree lighting. This year, the event takes place on Wednesday, December 3.
4. Kensington Tree Lighting, Dec. 13, 2008, Santa pics 3:30-7:30, tree lighting 8-9pm - I know there are lightings all over San Diego, but this one happens to be across the street from my house, and features tree lighting by Mayor Jerry Sanders, who is a resident of Kensington. Assuming it will be similar to the past couple years, there will be food from local restaurants to sample for just a couple dollars (Last year there was mac n cheese from Ken Grill and Onion rings from Burger Lounge, among other tasty treats). But the best part about this tree lighting is that Santa is the most perfect Santa anywhere. In the past you could pay for professional photos, or donate a couple bucks and use your own camera to take a photo session. I'm hoping that hasn't changed. Those pics at the top of this post are of my niece, Johanna, from 2007.

CONCERTS: Most radio stations in town will be hosting some sort of Christmas Show. Though FM 94/9 will not be hosting a Holiday Hootenanny this year, other stations are having smaller events. Here are a few:

1. KPRI 102.1- December 11, KPRI hosts Ingrid Michaelson, Tristan Prettyman, and Matt Nathanson in The Abbey in Hillcrest. This show is sold out, however
2. Radio Sophie 103.7 - December 13, Sophie presents "A Green Christmas" at Anthology featuring Alanis Morrisette, O.A.R., Justin Nozuka, Buckcherry, and Safety Suit. General Admission tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.
3. 91X Wrex The Halls, Friday, December 12th at 4th & B featuring Slightly Stoopid, Cake, Alkaline Trio, Gaslight Anthem, and Coldwar Kids. Tickets are $32.50 GA or $42.50 for the seated box area (plus service charges), and are available at Ticketmaster.com.
4. The Vandals Winter Formal is back this year with The Phenomenauts at the House of Blues on December 12.
5. Star 94.1 Acoustic Jingle Ball, December 14 & 15 at Anthology. GA tickets are $30. December 14 features John McLaughlin & Matt Nathanson. December 15 features Sara Bareilles & Plain White T's. (This night is sold out). Tickets for the 14th can be purchased here.

There are some great online resources of holiday events. Jack FM has a very comprehensive list here and SignOnSanDiego has a great list here.