Events: Things to do include holiday concerts, runs, theater and more

Encinitas Guitar Orchestra to hold 2025 Christmas Concert

The Encinitas Guitar Orchestra invites all to celebrate the season with A Guitar Christmas on Friday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church (925 Balour Dr., Encinitas). Suggested donation: $20. Directed by Peter pupping, the 35-member ensemble will bring the warmth of the holidays to life with music by John Dowland, Handel, J.S. Bach, Tchaikovsky, Alan Hirsh’s Jazz Christmas Suite, and other festive favorites. Join the event for an inspiring holiday tradition—timeless classics and seasonal gems, beautifully reimagined for guitar orchestra. For more information, visit www.encinitasguitarorchestra.com

Botanic Garden Lightscape

The light show runs now through Jan. 4 at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive. The immersive experience guides visitors through a one-mile garden trail with tunnels of lights featuring light installations designed by international artists. Installations range from California poppies and a field of fireflies to a laser garden. There will be seasonal treats. Tickets start at $28; $18 for children.  sdbg.org

“Holiday Harmonies”

The North Coast Symphony Orchestra puts on a concert of festive music at 7 p.m. Dec.12  and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. The program includes orchestral arrangements of classics including, White Christmas, Jingle Bell Fantasy, Overture of French Carols, Greensleeves and Joy to the World. The orchestra will be joined by the North Coast Singers youth chorus. Admission: $18 general, $15 seniors/students/military, free for 18 and younger. Visit www.northcoastsymphony.com.

San Diego Italian Film Festival presents ‘A World Apart’ (Un Mondo a Parte, 2024)

San Diego Italian Film Festival will present “A World Apart” (Un Mondo a Parte, 2024) on Thursday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. at La Paloma Theatre, Encinitas (471 S. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas).For elementary school teacher Michele Cortese it seems like a new life is opening up. After 40 years of teaching in the Roman jungle, he manages to get assigned to a school in the heart of the Abruzzo National Park. When he arrives in his city clothes with his city ways, nobody in town expects him to last. With the help of the vice principal Agnese and the children he overcomes his metropolitan inadequacy and becomes one of them.

However, just when everything seems to be going well, the news arrives that the school will close in June due to lack of enrollments. Thus begins a race against time to prevent its closure by any means necessary. In Italian with English subtitles.Tickets $16 ($12 SDIFF members, $7 students) available online and at the box office (cash only). For more information, visit www.sandiegoitalianfilmfestival.com

Nutcracker Ballet returns to Encinitas

The Nutcracker Ballet will be back in Encinitas on Saturday, Dec. 13, at San Dieguito Academy Performing Arts Center. There will be two performances, one at 2 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. Experience the timeless magic of The Nutcracker as it returns to the SDA Theatre this holiday season. Presented by the City of Encinitas and Encinitas Ballet Academy. This beloved production by Encinitas Ballet Academy, under the direction of Sayat and Olga Asatryan, continues to enchant North County audiences with dazzling costumes, elegant choreography, and the unforgettable score by Tchaikovsky. For more information on ticket purchases visit EncinitasCA.gov/Arts or call 760-633-2746. Event address: 800 Santa Fe Dr, Encinitas.

Coastal Christmas Del Mar

Running from Dec. 12 to Dec. 26, Coastal Christmas offers a dazzling winter experience featuring millions of glowing lights, a holiday wine walk, glice skating, holiday market, a kids play zone, and more. Coastal Christmas will be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Dec. 12-14, 18-23, and 26. The hours of operation are 4 p.m. — 9 p.m. For more information on events, promotional nights and more, visit www.coastalchristmasdelmar.com/

Red Nose Run

The Red Nose Run will hit the beach in Del Mar on Saturday, Dec. 13 at noon, presented by the Del Mar Foundation. Since 1992, The Red Nose Run has been 100% volunteer-organized by a local group of runners and walkers of various ages and running abilities. The fun and festive event benefits Semper Fi and American Fund and the San Dieguito River Park. Course distances are 3K and 5K and registration includes food by Poseidon, cold beer from Viewpoint Brewing, ice cream for everyone by Saffron & Rose and live music from Dos Echos. To register visit therednoserun.com

Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K returns in January

The 36th annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is returning for another year of winter racing on the Southern California oceanfront on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.All race distances will start at The Shoppes at Carlsbad. The marathon distance features an 18-mile stretch along the Pacific Ocean, the half marathon will showcase the beachfront for 8 miles, while the 5K runners will journey along a scenic out-and-back route passing the Buena Vista Lagoon, according to a news release. The event will also include a variety of participant perks. For more information, including race start times and registration go to www.inmotionevents.com/event/carlsbad-marathon/

Tibetan Buddhist monks of the Gaden Shartse Monastery to host event in Encinitas

The Tibetan Buddhist monks of the Gaden Shartse Monastery will be returning to North County San Diego and hosting events in several locations around the area from Dec. 15-20.The event that will be held in Encinitas will be “Death and Dying Panel and Indian Lunch” on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas, www.ecolovetransitions.com, (858) 815-1818.

In conjunction with the Tibetan Buddhist Sacred Arts Tour, there will be a panel discussion and Q&A. In this event, they will explore two unique perspectives on death and dying. This event is ideal for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of life’s ultimate journey, regardless of spiritual background, according to a news release.Nicole Soares of EcoLove Transitions will moderate this event. Nicole is a Death Doula, Funeral Director, and the Co-Founder of Soulful Sages, according to a news release.

Spiritual panel leaders will include: Geshe Puntsho, tour teacher and leader, sharing ancient teachings and compassionate wisdom on the Bardo, Impermanence, and Conscious Dying, and Rev. Dr. Christian Sorensen, the spiritual leader at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, will be offering the Religious Science perspective on life, death, and the continuity of the soul.

After the discussion, there will be an Indian meal prepared by the monks. Participants not attending the discussion can watch and help the monks cook their Pocket-sized Momos.Reservations/RSVP, questions text Nicole Soares, (858) 815-1818. Suggested donation is $30.Visit shorturl.at/DjWDM for more information.

‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ returns to North County

“Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a one-act Christmas opera in English written by Gian Carlo Menotti, will be presented on Friday and Saturday, Dec.19 and 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Escondido. The Genesis Opera Theatre production features an all-star cast of talent drawn from Southern California’s San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties, and is directed by Cynthia Leigh with musical direction by Abraham Fabella, according to a news release.Based on old tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, “Amahl…” is a retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a young disabled boy named Amahl, who lives in poverty with his poor widowed mother near Bethlehem.Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 & under at the door or in advance at sdartstix.com. Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 845 Chestnut St. in Escondido. For more information, email genesisoperatheatre@gmail.com.

Holidays at LEGOLAND

Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display from now through Jan. 4 at LEGOLAND California, One Legoland Drive. The annual tree lighting ceremony is at 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 1.. Throughout the holidays, the park’s 30-foot LEGO tree decked with lights and LEGO ornaments built out of more than 350,000 LEGO and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive LEGO models or costumed characters such as a LEGO Santa, toy soldier, gingerbread man and elf characters. The annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party is Dec. 31. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission.  legoland.com/california.

Old Globe: “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”: The Old Globe presents its 28th annual production of this musical adaptation of the holiday children’s book. Andrew Polec has returned for his fifth year in the role of the Grinch. Now playing through Dec. 31. Show times vary. Shiley Stage, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $34 and up. 619-234-5623, theoldglobe.org

North Coast Rep reprises music and laugh-laden favorite 2 Pianos 4 Hands for the holidays

By popular demand, North Coast Repertory Theatre is bringing back the joyful family pleasing 2 Pianos 4 Hands in December to brighten the holiday season.Get ready for an interlude of riotous laughter as Richard Todd Adams and Max Roll take the audience on a musical comedic journey about their would-be careers as concert pianists. The talented duo trade stories about piano lessons, pushy parents and eccentric teachers while playing everything from Bach to Billy Joel.2 Pianos 4 Hands performances begin Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Final performance is Sunday, Dec. 31, at 2 p.m. The show runs Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and there are Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Added Tuesday matinee and evening performances on Dec. 23. Added 2 p.m. matinee on Monday, Dec. 29. There are no performances Dec. 24 and Dec 25. Tickets are $68 plus $2.50 service fee. Call 858-481-1055, or visit www.northcoastrep.org to purchase tickets.

A Beatles Holiday Spectacle brings joy to the Belly Up

Abbey Road’s Christmas with the Beatles returns to the Belly Up on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. This special night is filled with Abbey Road’s mash-ups of Christmas classics and Beatles faves. Tickets are $20 – $35 and may be purchased online at www.bellyup.com, by phone at 858-481-8140 or at the venue box office. The Belly Up is located at 143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach. The show is 21+.

Death Cafe

Hosted by Selena Jong of Moving Through – Death Doula (www.movingthrough.org)A safe space to have educational, inspiring and empowering conversations about death and dying. Free admission. Saturday Dec. 27, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., reoccurring every fourth Saturday of the month. (www.deathcafe.com)Location: Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive Encinitas, 92024.Please RSVP at Meetup: The Death Network or email selenajong@gmail.com

“Burnout Paradise”

La Jolla Playhouse presents a return engagement of Australia’s Pony Cam troupe performing their audience-interactive treadmill-of life comedic show that was the hit of the 2025 WOW Festival. Dec. 17-21: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, Thursday, Dec. 18, and next Friday, Dec. 19; 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20; 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. Potiker Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $49-$59. 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org

Batiquitos Lagoon to present “The Amazing Gray Whale Migration”

Batiquitos Lagoon will hold a presentation on Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. titled “The Amazing Gray Whale Migration,” given by Jane Barger, naturalist at the San Diego Natural History Museum. She will discuss the Eastern North Pacific Gray Whale, with information about population, migration routes, calving and feeding, physical characteristics, and other interesting facts. This free, family event is good for adults and kids age 10 and older. Space is limited and is first come, first served. It’s recommended to arrive 15 minutes early to secure a seat. Events may take place outside, so please dress accordingly. In case of rain, events will be cancelled. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad. For more information , visit Batiquitoslagoon.org.

Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo

The annual holiday event from Dec. 19 to Jan. 4 (except Dec. 24) at the San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, features a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, music and views of wildlife, along with a magic of Aurora immersive performance about the power of nature with 3D projection mapping, music and lights. Highlights featured at various times include Reindeer Games, Jingle Brass concerts and Holiday Troubadour along with Northern Frontier’s Holiday Forest, Zoo characters, snow and a visit with Santa. There will be food, drinks, and shopping for gifts. The zoo is open late from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this event, except Dec. 24. Free with zoo admission or membership; parking is free. sandiegozoo.org/junglebells

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration and Holiday wonderland runs daily through Jan. 4 with live musical shows, faux snowfall, over a million lights, Santa and real reindeer, singing elves and the SkyTower decorated as San Diego’s largest Christmas tree along with festive food and beverages. One Million Twinkling lights, nightly snowfall and immersive holiday experiences. There’ll be a new Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special at Sea Lion Stadium and a new Mrs. Claus story time show. All included with park admission Tickets start at $61.99 during the Black Friday Sale. Visit seaworldsandiego.com.