Holiday events have started in Poway, Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch

The holidays are in full swing, with many activities offered in Rancho Bernardo and 4S Ranch for those of all ages in coming weeks.

If you are offering an event open to the community, email the details by 9 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8 to ehimchak@pomeradonews.com.

Here are some of your options to get in the holiday spirit.

• The Poway Dance Project will present its winter concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Tickets are $15 at the door. For details, visit powaydanceproject.com.

• The annual Seven Oaks Holiday Craft Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive in Rancho Bernardo.

It will feature 70-plus local artists and artisans offering a wide range of handicrafts, fine art, jewelry, potted plants, baked goods and more. Families are welcome, but no pets. Admission is free. For details, visit sevenoakscraftfair.com.

• The free “Snow Day in the Park” returns 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 to Rancho Bernardo Community Park, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive. Besides playing in the snow, there will be visits with Santa, games, prizes, crafts, photo opportunities and more. For details, call 858-538-8129.

• “Santa and Symphonette” will be offered for free at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. Meet Santa, listen to the music of the Poway Symphonette, enjoy a craft activity and hot chocolate. For details, call 858-513-2900.

• The Poway Cruisers will host their third annual Holiday Toy Drive Car Show from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the In-N-Out parking lot, 12890 Gregg Court in Poway.

Admission is free to all car owners and spectators, but attendees are asked to donate a new, unwrapped toy that will be given to a local child in need. For details, call 858-774-4346.

• The Plaza Rancho Bernardo will have holiday entertainment, including carols sung by the RB High Madrigals and opportunities to take selfies with the Gold Sparkle Elf, from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. The Madrigals will stroll between Naturally Desi Cafe to Unicorn Jewelry.

The Plaza’s businesses span from 16761 to 16787 Bernardo Center Drive. For details, visit theplazrb.com.

• Poway OnStage presents “The Ugly Seasonal Sweater Soiree: Holiday Hits in Horrible Knits” at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road.

Tickets are $54-$78 for adults; $47-$68 for seniors, military and students (ages 13-21) and $32-$44 for youths (12 and under). Buy at powayonstage.org or call 858-748-0505.

• Watch “The Polar Express” in Old Poway Park, 14132 Midland Road. The free event will include the movie (starts at sunset), and from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 photos with Santa, milk and cookies. Train rides have a nominal cost. Bring blankets to keep warm during the movie. For details, call 858-668-4576.

• Hope United Methodist Church will present “It Feels Like Christmas” for its Yuletide 2025 Program. There will be two concerts, at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 10 a.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7.

There will be a cookie reception following the Saturday concert. Childcare will be available only on Sunday. The concert is free, but free-will offerings will be accepted.

All are welcome. The church is at 16550 Bernardo Heights Parkway in Rancho Bernardo. For details, visit hopeumc.com.

• Dreidel Day will be offered for free at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. Celebrate Hannukah, play dreidel, make crafts and more. For details, call 858-513-2900.

• The North County Melody Makers, a new non-profit singing group based in Rancho Bernardo, will present its inaugural performance “Holidays Around the World” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 in The Grand Ritz Theater, 301 E. Grand Ave. in Escondido.

Tickets are $20. Buy at thegrandescondido.org. Proceeds will go toward supporting the North County community by raising money for music education in the form of grants and scholarships.

• Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church will present a free Christmas concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 in the church sanctuary, 17010 Pomerado Road. All are welcome. A freewill offering will be taken.

The concert will feature the church’s various ensembles. They will explore the nativity story through the eyes of American composers, such as William Billings, Amy Beach and Andre Thomas; and writers, including Clarence Jordan, Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. For details, email liz@rbcommunity.org.

• The 4S Ranch Library will provide a holiday card, letter writing and gift wrap station during its operating hours from Monday, Dec. 8 through Wednesday, Dec. 24. (The library is closed on Sundays.)

There will be cards, seasonal paper and writing templates to get people’s creativity flowing. There will also be wrapping paper and bows for wrapping gifts. The library is at 10433 Reserve Drive. For details, call 858-673-4697.

• A free holiday card making event will be held at the 4S Ranch Library, 10433 Reserve Drive, near its fireplace. Sessions will be offered from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, 15 and 22. Each session will feature a different design with all materials provided. For details, call 858-673-4697.

• The Rancho Bernardo Library will celebrate winter holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Yalda and Kwanzaa, at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8. There will be free cookie decorating, a lantern craft, holiday card making and photo booth. All ages are welcome.

Activities are while supplies last. The event will be in the library’s community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. For details, call 858-538-8163.

• The Poway High and Twin Peaks Middle School choirs will present their winter concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Tickets are $10-$20. Buy at powaycenter.com.

• Wednesday Etc. is inviting local women to a holiday luncheon and entertainment at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 in The Heights Golf Club, 16066 Bernardo Heights Parkway in Rancho Bernardo Cost: $38, payable by cash or check at the door. RSVP by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 by calling Dotty Auletta at 760-567-7409.

• Bernardo Winery will hold its annual “Holiday Nights” festivities from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 to 14 and Dec. 17 to 21. There will be carolers, Miceli’s Polar Express train exhibit, food and beverages. There will be vendors selling a wide assortment of items and the winery’s village shops will also be open. Santa will not be at this event.

The winery is at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte in Rancho Bernardo. All ages welcome. No pets allowed. No outside food or beverages. Carpooling is recommended. Bring cash as some vendors do not accept credit cards. Parking is free. For details, visit bernardowinery.com.

• An admission-free “Maker’s Market” will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 at San Diego Oasis, 17170 Bernardo Center Dr. in Rancho Bernardo.

There will be food, drinks, live music and fun activities. Support local artists and small businesses while finding unique, handcrafted treasures at a curated collection of artisan booths. For details, call 858-240-2880.

• Poway’s annual “Christmas in the Park” will be held from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road.

There will be caroling, live music, visits with Santa, free children’s crafts, model train displays and more. Purchase holiday treats, finish your Christmas shopping at the craft boutique or board the Poway Midland Railroad for a night-time ride around the park.

The tree lighting ceremony will only be held at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. To visit Santa, there will be a ticketing system with a ticket booth outside of Templars Hall in the Carriage Turn beginning at 3:30 p.m. when people will receive a designated return time to visit Santa. Tickets are $5.

Free shuttles to and from the event will be at Poway City Hall, 13325 Civic Center Drive, and the Poway Adult School, 13626 Twin Peaks Road. Shuttles will run throughout the event.

• Take a free “Walk Through Bethlehem” where attendees will learn the true meaning of Christmas. There will be four sessions from  6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; Saturday, Dec. 13, Sunday, Dec. 14 and Monday, Dec. 15 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15750 Bernardo Heights Parkway in Rancho Bernardo.

The event will be held both indoors and outdoors, so dress accordingly. There will be hundreds of creches (nativity displays) from around the world, a live nativity with live animals and refreshments. The walk takes about 20-30 minutes. On-site and overflow parking is available. RSVP at tinyurl.com/Bethlehem-RB25.

• The 36th annual Carols by Candlelight fundraiser for Rady Children’s Hospital will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road.

The headliners will be country singers Mark Wills, Andy Griggs, Anna Vaus and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus.

Tickets are $39-$99. Buy at CarolsByCandlelight.com.

• Bernardo Winery will hold its annual “Breakfast with Santa” from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 13, 14 and 17-21. Youngsters can meet with Santa and have close-up animal encounters. In addition to breakfast, there will be face painting, balloon sculptures, cookies and ornament making.

Tickets are $80 for adults, $45 for children ages 2-12 and free for under age 2. Prices are all inclusive. Seating is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance at bernardowinery.com. The winery is at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte in Rancho Bernardo.

• Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church will host its annual “Breakfast in Bethlehem” at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 in the church’s Fellowship Center, 17010 Pomerado Road.

Guests will enjoy breakfast along with character interaction, music and entertainment. Activities will be offered to little ones on the patio before entering the center for food and the Christmas story.

Cost: $15 for ages 12 and older, $10 for ages 2-11 and children under 2 are free. Reservations are required with payment by 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at tinyurl.com/RBCPC-Bethlehem25. Tickets can also be purchased in the church’s Welcome Center during office hours. For details, email joyce@rbcommunity.org.

• The annual “Holiday Carnival with Santa” hosted by the Rancho Bernardo Community Council will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 at Lifebridge Church, 17645 W. Bernardo Drive in Rancho Bernardo.

The free event will include visits with Santa, hot cocoa and cookies, face painting, balloon artists, a bounce house and inflatable slides, reindeer scavenger hunts, crafts, carnival games, a live nativity scene, live entertainment, vendors and a food truck.

In the spirit of giving, attendees are asked to consider donating canned or boxed foods for distribution, or new or gently-used pajamas for Leez PJ’s for Kids.

• The Poway Library will offer free gingerbread house decorating in three sessions: 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13; Sunday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 21. Participants will decorate a premade gingerbread house.

This activity is only open to families with children 17 years and younger. They are limited to one sign-up per family and only for one session. Sign-up is required at tinyurl.com/PowayGingerbread. The Poway Library is at 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.

• The San Diego Chorus will present “Glow Up: A Seasonal Celebration of Song” on Saturday, Dec. 13 in San Diego Oasis, 17170 Bernardo Center Drive in Rancho Bernardo. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a silent auction and homemade treats. The concert starts at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $31.75 for general admission and $47 for table seating (includes refreshments at the table). Buy at tinyurl.com/SDC-GlowUp25. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for children and teens in San Diego County.

• Prodigy Dance Company will present its holiday showcase at 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Tickets are $30-$40. Buy at powaycenter.com.

• Chabad of Poway will offer a “Chanukah Train and Community Celebration” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road. Admission is free.

There will be train rides, latkes, doughnuts, a giant menorah lighting, gelt, dreidels, craft activities and festive music. RSVP at chabadpoway.com/train. For details, call 858-451-0455.

• The jazz ensembles from Poway High and Twin Peaks Middle School will present their holiday jazz concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Tickets will be sold at the door. For prices and details, email mcook@powayusd.com.

• The orchestras from Poway High, Twin Peaks Middle School and Meadowbrook Middle School will present their combined holiday concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. Tickets will be sold at the door. For prices and details, email mcook@powayusd.com.

• The San Diego Music Academy will perform festive holiday music featuring its Chamber Music and Children’s Choir at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.

• Southern California Ballet will present “The Nutcracker” in three shows at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. The shows will be at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21.

There will be more than 100 local dancers along with professional guest artists from around the world. Tickets are $30-$70. Buy at powaycenter.com.

• Celebrate the New Year early during a free “Noon Year’s Eve” event featuring a Ralph’s World concert at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. For details, call 858-513-2900.