Full plate: December food and drink events

Fill your holiday plates and glasses with fun food and drink events including Cold Brew City, 12 Bars of Charity, Toast of Gaslamp and SoNo Fest & Chili Cookoff.

Through 12.25: Miracle on 30th Street

Normal Heights’ happening cocktail spot transforms into a winter wonderland all month long, serving Christmasy libations amid kitschy holiday décor that’s certain to delight even the grouchiest Grinch. Read more about the annual pop-up here.

Polite Provisions, Normal Heights, miraclepopup.com

Through Jan. 6: Life-size edible St. Nick

Instead of his normal red suit, Santa will be wearing chocolate as Park Hyatt Aviara Resort executive pastry chef Christophe Rull, along with several visiting chefs from New Jersey, Portland and Missouri, craft a life-size sculpture of St. Nick sitting on a wooden chocolate chair surrounded by snowmen, elves and Christmas trees. Every ingredient is edible, including 200 pounds of Sao Tome 65 percent dark chocolate, 75 pounds of sugar, 50 pounds of modeling chocolate and 50 pounds of cereal treats.

7100 Aviara Resort Dr., Carlsbad, 760.448.1234

11.30-12.1: Pizza Port 22^nd annual Strong Ale Festival

Sample more than 60 drafts with ABVs north of 8 percent and enjoy a bevy of rare bottled brews at Pizza Port’s yearly beer bonanza.

Pizza Port Bottle Shop, Carlsbad, pizzaport.com

12.1: Eppig Brewing’s Second Anniversary and Repeal Day Celebration

Cheers to Eppig’s second birthday and the 85th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition by treating yourself to a selection of the brewery’s Natural Bridge Lagers.

Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten, Point Loma, eppigbrewing.com

12.1: Craft Beer Festival

Showcasing more than 100 local and international brews — including many hard-to-find craft concoctions and limited-release ales and ciders — this event also includes admission to the track, a stein-holding contest and access to Del Mar’s first-ever silent disco dance party.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, dmtc.com

12.1: Bolt Brewery Fourth Anniversary Party

Celebrate the fourth birthday of this burgeoning beermaker with a bash at their 10-barrel brewhouse in La Mesa.

Bolt Brewery, La Mesa, boltbrewery.com

12.2: SoNo Fest & Chili Cookoff

More than three dozen of the city’s best restaurants compete in this volunteer-run chili showdown brimming with craft beverages, local merchants and three stages of live music.

32nd Street at Thorn Street, North Park, sonofestchilicookoff.com

12.7: Nightmare Before Christmas Brews Cruise

Fans of Tim Burton’s cinematic, stop-motion classic won’t want to miss this night as the Spirit of San Diego yacht converts into holiday-themed Halloween Town complete with two floors of entertainment, three hours of breathtaking bay views and unlimited samples of 20 from nearby breweries.

Spirit of San Diego, San Diego Bay, eventbrite.com

12.8: Toast of Gaslamp

Raise a glass to the heart of our beloved city during this decadent evening teeming with treats from 24 of the Gaslamp’s top restaurants and complemented by scorching deals at many of downtown’s most desirable retailers.

Throughout the Gaslamp Quarter, tasteofgaslamp.com

12.8: Tequila, Taco & Cerveza Fest

Showcasing more than 40 brands of tequila alongside tons of taco recipes, this inaugural event also includes a live lucha libre show and authentic Mexican mariachi music.

Liberty Station, Point Loma, ttcfest.com

12.8: Second annual Island Food & Beer Fest

Knock back unlimited tastings of locally brewed beer, then soak up those suds with delicious dishes from the Pacific Islands while the ’80s hit-band The Jets headlines the day’s live entertainment.

Waterfront Park, Little Italy, coconutsandcocktailspromotions.com

12.8: Patisserie Melane open house

Chef Melanie Dunn, owner of Patisserie Melanie, will host a holiday open house to celebrate National Pastry Day. Guests can indulge in hand-crafted viennoiseries (baked goods), confections and preserves, and shop for unusual housewares and gifts. — Carolina Gusman

3788 Park Blvd., Hillcrest, 619.677.2132, patisseriemelanie.com

12.10: Tamale Holiday Cooking

Chef Isabel Cruz (author of The Latin Table) demonstrates the art of making healthy, hearty and hedonic tamales at this hands-on cooking class held in her restaurant by the beach.

Isabel’s Cantina, Pacific Beach, adventuresbythebook.com

12.12: Fourth annual “Kid at Heart” Gingerbread House Decorating Party

Exchange an unwrapped toy for a gingerbread-house kit with all the trimming during this decorating party where the creator of the best edible abode will take home two tickets to Legoland.

Queenstown Public House, Little Italy, queenstownpublichouse.com

12.12: 333 Pacific 10-year anniversary celebration

One of Oceanside’s original beachside dining restaurants is celebrating a decade in business with a party that will double as a fundraiser for the Oceanside Museum of Art. Executive Chef Steven Zurkey will prepare a meal paired with Fallbrook wines that will be followed by a concert from North County resident Sarah Rogo. — Leslie Hackett

Oceanside Museum Of Art, 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, oma-online.org

12.13: Holiday Wine & Cheese

Learn the secrets of successfully pairing coagulated milk with fermented grapes during this wintry tasting event that also includes entertaining tips you can use to wow anyone who drops by during the holidays.

Venissimo Cheese, Del Mar, venissimo.com

12.13: Hillcrest Taste ‘n’ Tinis

Shop till you drop (or drink till you flop) during this self-guided sip ‘n’ stroll when many Hillcrestaurants will serve samples of signature dishes while local boutiques encourage you to wet your whistle with holiday martinis and other festive cocktails.

Throughout Hillcrest, fabuloushillcrest.com

12.13: Michter Whiskey Dinner

Stake Chophouse & Bar will host a curated Michter Whiskey Dinner prepared by executive chef Andrew Kedziora. Guests can expect dishes like dry-aged beef roast with mushroom panisse (chickpea flour fried in olive oil) and barrel-aged soy sauce alongside pours of Unblended American Small Batch Whiskey, Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon and Small Batch Sour Mash. — Carolina Gusman

1309 Orange Ave., Coronado. Reservations: 619.522.0077

12.15: Cold Brew City 2018

Artists, merchants and musicians unite over their shared love of caffeine during this creative and collaborative coffee-centric cultural event that culminates with a friendly competition to suss out the city’s best cold-brewers.

Bread & Salt, Barrio Logan, facebook.com/coldbrewcityfest

12.15: Second annual 12 Bars of Charity

Helping local nonprofits build awareness, raise money and attract more members, this charitable pub crawl invites dedicated drinkers to donate $10 to their choice of eight charity teams before taking a free shuttle to a dozen watering holes offering a selection of drink specials.

Venues throughout downtown, 12barsofcharity.com

12.16: A Very Carnitas’ Christmas

Situated along the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights parade route, Carnitas’ Snack Shack at the Embarcadero offers hot chocolate and peppermint soft-serve for the kids and a variety of holiday cocktails for the adults. There’s also complimentary ornament decorating, gourmet popcorn station, games, a photo station and live music with DJ Mike White. — Carolina Gusman

1004 N. Harbor Dr., Embarcadero, 619.696.7675, carnitassnackshack.com

12.29: Harry Potter Beer Festival

Calling all Potterheads: The Wizarding World arrives in North Park along with the half-giant Hagrid, a tasting of 20-plus seasonal ales and live music from the Slytherin Sisters and DJ Dumbledore.

The Irenic, North Park, facebook.com/rockstarbeer