San Diego: This Weekend (Nov. 29-Dec. 2)
The holidays have arrived with several parades and tree lighting ceremonies taking place around San Diego, as well the Pizza Port Strong Ale Festival and SoNo Fest & Chili Cookoff.
11.29: San Diego Ramen Festival
Slurp your way to satisfaction with samples from a dozen vendors, a ramen eating contest, live performances and a beer garden.
1000 N. Harbor Dr., downtown, sdmramenfest2018.eventbrite.com
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. — Michael Benninger
Polite Provisions, Normal Heights, miraclepopup.com
Through 1.5.19: Holiday by the Bay
Barrel down a 100-foot ice slide, take a spin on an ice-bound bumper boat, then try your hand at riding a bucking reindeer at this breathtaking winter wonderland. — Michael Benninger
Hilton San Diego Bayfront, East Village, hiltonholidaybythebay.com
11.30: Wasted Penguinz
Swedish DJ duo Wasted Penguins (aka Jon Brandt-Cederhall and Ponutz Bergman) released their second album, Clarity, in 2016. But 2018 has been a busy year for the pair, as they have released four new singles so far — The Lights, Euphoria, Can’t Stay and August’s This Is The One with Adrenalize. — Scott McDonald
@ Bassmnt, bassmntsd.com
11.30: Carnage
Guatemalan-born, L.A.-based producer and trap DJ Carnage (aka Diamante Blackmon) released his full-length debut, Papi Gordo, in 2015. After a couple of EPs, Blackmon followed it in August with his sophomore full-length, Battered Bruised & Bloody. The new album features appearances from Migos, Lil B, MadeinTYO, Mac Miller, Lockdown and more. — Scott McDonald
@ OMNIA, omnianightclub.com
11.30-12.1: Rod Man
“I got a ticket for being in the carpool lane. And I thought I was helping traffic because there was a lot of cars in the other lanes. So I got in the carpool lane and started riding good. But then a police on a motorcycle got right behind me, and I was like, man, he is after somebody. Let me get out of the way. Then he come up to the car, and I thought like maybe I’m a witness to something, I don’t know. He told me I can’t be in this lane, and I said why not, and he said, ‘Because you’ve got to have another occupant in the vehicle.’ I looked at him, and I looked at his motorcycle, and I said, ‘Well, you don’t have an occupant in your motorcycle, so I’d like to press charges too, that’s all I’m sayin’. As a matter of fact, leave the motorcycle, and get in the car with me. Then we both will be in compliance with the law.’” — Rod Man at The Funny Bone
@ The American Comedy Co., americancomedyco.com
11.30-12.1: Pizza Port 22nd 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. — Michael Benninger
Pizza Port Bottle Shop, Carlsbad, pizzaport.com
12.1: 55th annual North Park Toyland Parade
Marching bands, vintage cars, beauty queens and more meander between Utah and Iowa streets during Uptown’s yearly yuletide event. Go show your support of this 55-year running event after it almost didn’t happen due to lack of funding this year. — Michael Benninger
University Avenue, North Park, explorenorthpark.com/post/toyland-parade
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. — Michael Benninger
Eppig Brewing Waterfront Biergarten, Point Loma, eppigbrewing.com
12.1: 20th annual Little Italy Christmas Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
Take care of some holiday shopping, go for a horse-carriage ride and then stand in awe of a 25-foot-tall poinsettia tower while basking in Little Italy’s abundant charm. — Michael Benninger
India Street and Piazza della Famiglia, Little Italy, littleitalysd.com/events
12.1: Sugar Rush 5K
In this unique exhibit of athleticism, runners consume Krispy Kreme donuts at each mile-marker before attending a finish line celebration that includes cornhole, oversized checkers and ladder ball among other games. — Michael Benninger
Embarcadero Park North, Marina District, thesugarrush5k.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. — Michael Benninger
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, dmtc.com
12.1: Chula Vista Starlight Parade
Bring the whole family to this holiday parade that includes real snow, an elf-yourself station and pictures with St. Nick himself. — Michael Benninger
Third Avenue, downtown Chula Vista, starlightparade.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. — Michael Benninger
Bolt Brewery, La Mesa, boltbrewery.com
12.1: 61st annual Encinitas Holiday Parade
Schmooze your way onto any of nearly 100 floats or join the throngs of cheering spectators during this Coast Highway tradition that culminates with a tree-lighting ceremony and a cameo by Kris Kringle. — Michael Benninger
S. Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, encinitaschamber.com
12.1: 60th annual Vista Candyland Christmas Parade
See some of Vista’s best and brightest community groups during this parade that commences at the Civic Center and winds down at Wave Waterpark. — Michael Benninger
Throughout historic downtown Vista, vistachamber.chambermaster.com
12.1: Winter Wonderland Festival
Scamper around in real snow, create winter-themed crafts and rub noses with live reindeer as the North Pole takes over the heart of Escondido. — Michael Benninger
California Center for the Arts, Escondido, artcenter.org
12.1: 39th annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
More than 100 groups of Obecians embrace an It’s a Wonderful Life theme as O.B.’s holiday parade returns to bring out the neighborhood’s most curious and creative. — Michael Benninger
Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach, obtowncouncil.org
12.2: The Local Bazaar @ Liberty Station
Cross off any remaining names from your shopping list at this pop-up holiday market offering a curated selection of local fashion, handmade gifts and vintage treasures from more than 150 vendors. — Michael Benninger
The Corky McMillin Event Center, Liberty Station, thelocal-bazaar.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. — Michael Benninger
32nd Street at Thorn Street, North Park, sonofestchilicookoff.com
12.2: 61st annual La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival
Kicking off with an antique-aircraft flyover and sporting a new Sounds of Christmas theme, this holiday parade through downtown La Jolla gives guests of glimpse of the community’s incredible talent. — Michael Benninger
Girard Avenue & Prospect Street, La Jolla, ljparade.com
12.2: WinterFest 2018
Enjoy holiday carolers, a horse-drawn carriage and colorful ballet dancers at this family-friendly fête that also includes a holiday marketplace and a snow-covered-tree lighting. — Michael Benninger
Vista Village, downtown Vista, winteriscomingtovista.com
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