The best things to do this week in San Diego: Dec. 29 to Jan. 2

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 29 to Friday, Jan. 2.

Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.

Monday

The Roots: The legendary hip-hop group and house band of “The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon” takes the stage at The Magnolia in El Cajon. The group is led by co-founder and emcee Black Thought and drummer and co-founder Questlove from Philadelphia. The Roots was formed in 1987 and performs a mix of hip-hop, new-soul and jazz with guitarists, keyboardists, saxophonists and trumpet players. 7 p.m. Dec. 29. The Magnolia, 210 E Main St., El Cajon. $50-$400. magnoliasandiego.com

Kwanzaa celebration: For the 45th time, the World Beat Center has been hosting a Kwanzaa celebration. Monday’s events will include a performance by Tebe Zalango, an Eastern African cultural group, as well as WorldBeat Center’s African drum and dance ensemble master drummer Dramane Koné. 6 to 9 p.m. Monday. 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego. Free. worldbeatcenter.org/event/44th-annual-kwanzaa-celebration-december-29th-ujamaa-2

“2 Pianos, 4 Hands”: North Coat Repertory Theatre presents Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt’s autobiographical comedy with music about two aspiring concert pianists who grow up as friends and then enemies before making their peace with music. 2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $70.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org

“Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”: The Old Globe’s 28th annual production of this holiday classic is based on a 1957 children’s book by the late La Jolla author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, the musical by Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin premiered in 1994 at a children’s theater in Minneapolis. In 1998, it moved to the Old Globe, where artistic director Jack O’Brien worked with Geisel’s widow, Audrey Geisel, to add music from the famous 1966 animated TV version and a storybook-come-to-life scenic and costume design. It’s been an annual tradition ever since. 5 p.m. Monday, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego. $51 and up. 619-234-5623. theoldglobe.org

Tuesday

‘Six’ comic pop musical returns to San Diego Tuesday: Broadway San Diego brings back this long-running Broadway musical comedy that reimagines the six wives of 16th-century English king Henry VIII as a Spice Girls-style pop group who tell their triumphant and tragic stories in comic pop and R&B songs. 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. next Friday; 2 and 8 p.m. Jan. 3; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4. San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. $56.25-$176. ticketmaster.com

Last day for Old Town holiday cheer on wheels: Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tour runs through Dec. 30 with a mix of sightseeing, holiday singalongs on a 90-minute trip through festively decorated neighborhoods, including Old Town, Bankers Hill, Little Italy and Garrison Street. 6 and 7 p.m. Tuesday. From the Old Town Market, 4010 Twiggs St., San Diego. $36.10. Reservations are required at trolleytours.com/san-diego/holiday-tour-tickets.

Last night for Jingle Jets at Midway Museum: The USS Midway Museum is decked with more than a million lights as part of its Jingle Jets holiday light show and festivities. Holiday eats and treats will be sold. 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $20-$30 and sold only online; discounts for museum members; free for children 3 and younger. Visit midway.org/event/jingle-jets-2025.

Wednesday

Sip, dance and sing: These are some of the options for New Year’s Eve in San Diego

Peace out 2025: A groovy party with the theme of Peace Out 2025 is a family-friendly option for NYE. There will be food trucks, special cocktails for adults, live music, dancing arts and crafts, animal encounters and other activities. Guests are invited to wear flower power and groovy-themed outfits. 6 to 9 p.m. 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista. $25. Kids ages 2 and under can attend for free. thelivingcoast.org/programs-events-upcoming-events/peace-out-2025/

Midnight Under the Big Top: The New Year’s Eve celebration at Jamul Casino starts with a free cider toast and $20 free play card at noon. Starting at 7 p.m. there will be giveaways throughout the night. Multiple DJs will perform throughout the night at the casino’s various bars and lounges. Guests can head to the rooftop from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. for a ball drop event with live 80s music, and appetizers for $10. The JIVe Lounge will host its own party with entertainment, food and champagne for two guests each for $140. Jamul Casino, 14145 Campo Road, Jamul.  jamulcasino.com/nye2026

FNGRS CRSSD presents PROPER NYE: Petco Park’s annual two-day music festival to end the year returns with a lineup of performers, including Coffintexts, Purple Disco Machine, Villager, Hannah Laing, Sammy Virji and more. 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31; 2 to 10 p.m. Jan. 1. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. $205. showclix.com/event/fngrs-crssd-presents-proper-nye-nyd-2026/tag/linktree

Thursday

Winter reading challenge: San Diego’s city library branches are hosting a winter reading challenge, which is open to all ages. San Diegans can win prizes, including museum passes and buffalo wings, for logging their reading and completing activities. The challenge runs from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31. sandiego.gov/public-library/kidsandteens/winterreading#undefined

Salute to Vienna New Years Concert: San Diego Symphony will persent the annual visit of the Salute to Vienna concert in its 30th anniversary tour. The program features music by the Strauss Symphony of America, featuring San Diego Symphony members, vocal soloists and dancers from San Diego Ballet performing Viennese waltzes. 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Jacobs Music Center, 750 B St., downtown. $80-$132. sandiegosymphony.org

Friday

Holiday bowl parade: The Holiday Bowl Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2. It features both university marching bands, floats, dance units and giant balloons. The parade runs along Pacific Highway and passes by the San Diego County Administration Building and ends at the intersection of North Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway. The public can view the parade along the side of Pacific Highway or at $30 grandstand seating areas, available at holidaybowl.com. The parade will also be streamed on CBS 8+ app and at holidaybowl.com.

San Diego Auto Show: Car, truck and sports utility vehicle enthusiasts get the opportunity to see and test drive new and unreleased vehicles at the San Diego Auto Show. Attendees can get inside new vehicle models on the showroom floor that are not for sale yet. They can also get behind the wheel and take some of the vehicles on a test drive at the car show. Plus, there is an array of electric vehicles, including a test track. The last day of the show is family day, where children 12 years and under can attend for free.10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 1-3. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 4. San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego. $12-$18. sdautoshow.com

Lightscape: It’s the last weekend to see the holiday light show at the San Diego Botanic Garden. Lightscape features over a million lights on display. It’s a one-mile trail of suspended strands and tunnels of light, a field of lights with California poppies and fireflies, lantern trees and artistic installations. Visitors can also get cider, hot cocoa, espresso martinis, vodka, coffee liquor, beer and various desserts. Reservation required. 5 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. 760-436-3036, sdbg.org/lightscape