The best things to do this week in San Diego: Dec. 8-12

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 8 to Friday, Dec. 12.

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

Monday

Holiday music: The California Note Catchers will put on a holiday music concert. The chorus and several small ensembles will perform classic holiday songs. 7 p.m. Monday. Fletcher Hills Presbyterian Church, 455 Church Way. Free admission; donations appreciated. There will be a silent auction and bake sale. californianotecatchers.com

“Gentri: Christmas”: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, presents this Utah-born American tenor trio on its 10th anniversary holiday concert concert. 7:30 p.m. Monday. 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $45-$165. artcenter.org/event/gentri-christmas

Jill G. Hall author event: The author will share about her book, “On a Sundown Sea: A Novel of Madame Tingley and the Origins of Lomaland.” 6:30 p.m. Monday. Point Loma/Hervey Library, 3701 Voltaire St., San Diego. $18.99 book.  laplayabooks.com/event/2025-12-08/jill-g-hall-point-loma-library

Holidays at LEGOLAND: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display through Jan. 4.  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 California, One Legoland Drive. legoland.com/california.

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration: Holiday wonderland runs daily to 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. www.seaworldsandiego.com

Belmont Park’s Winter Wonder: The  annual event at the beachside amusement park, 3146 Mission Blvd., runs through Jan. 4 with hundreds of twinkling lights, carolers, holiday-themed treats and drinks and special events on weekends. Attractions include the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Peppermint Putt Putt at Tiki Wonderland and Candy Cane Lanes Go Karts and and Polar Plunge. Tickets and passes are at belmontpark.com.

Tuesday

Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, with Ben Powell: This legendary gospel-music vocal group will perform a Christmas concert that mixes holiday standards with selections from their Grammy-winning Christmas album. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach. $60.80. 858-481-8140. bellyup.com

The four San Diego concerts you definitely don’t want to miss this week

Stubby Pringle’s Christmas”: Trinity Theatre Company’s Playwrights Saloon presents a reading of Jack Schaefer’s cowboy Christmas musical play about a young  wrangler with a big heart who makes an unforgettable Christmas Eve ride. 7 p.m. Tuesday. Trinity Theatre, Mission Valley shopping center, 1640 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 129, San Diego. Pay what you can tickets start at $10. trinityttc.org

Lightscape: 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. The light show runs through Jan. 4 at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive. Tickets start at $28; $18 for children. sdbg.org

Wednesday

World Ballet Company’s “Nutcracker”: The touring organization is presenting its holiday ballet with a cast of 40 international dancers at two locations. 7 p.m. Wednesday at California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $60-$138. 800-988-4253,  artcenter.org

Thursday

Holiday open house: The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center is hosting a free holiday open house. This annual event allows the community to explore The Conrad and partake in holiday activities for the entire family. This year, there will be photo opportunities with Santa Claus, an instrument petting zoo, a holiday market with local artisans, a craft area for children, holiday music, cider, hot cocoa and food by Giuseppe Fine Catering. Additionally, there will be dog adoptions with Born Again Animal Rescue. 4 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday. 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. 858-459-3728, theconrad.org/events/holiday-open-house-2025

“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. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Dec. 31. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. $70.50. 858-481-1055, northcoastrep.org

“Rent”: New Village Arts presents an intimate staging of Jonathan Larson’s musical about one year in the life of a group of friends in 1990 struggling to create art and survive in AIDS-plagued New York. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through Dec. 24. 2787 State St., Carlsbad. $35-$80. 760-433-3245, newvillagearts.org

Camarada: “Winter’s Light”: Concert will feature world premiere of “Ether” by talented composer, multi-instrumentalist and singer Oliviana Marie. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. $35-$75. 619-231-3702, camarada.org

Friday

Holiday Lights: The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum’s annual Holiday Lights event transforms the historic museum grounds into a winter wonderland with light display from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20. Bring the whole family to enjoy thousands of twinkling lights, animals, festive hay rides, warm drinks, delicious food and a visit with Santa. Admission is $10, in advance online; $12 at gate; free for kids 3 and younger. The museum is at 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave.  https://www.agsem.org/holiday-lights-2025

All-American Rejects: Alt 94.9’s December to Remember event will feature the All-American Rejects. 8 p.m. Friday. BELLY UP PRESENTS AT THE SOUND, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. $60. bellyup.com/calendar/14605963/the-all-american-rejects-joyce-manor-out-in-front/

“The Holiday” in concert: Watch the beloved movie, “The Holiday,” as the San Diego Symphony Orchestra plays along with the screening of the film. 6 p.m. Friday. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. Remaining ticket start at $54. theshell.org/performances/the-holiday/

San Diego’s not-to-miss holiday parades from Chula Vista to Escondido

Coastal Christmas at fairgrounds: The Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts Coastal Christmas, a festival with holiday light attractions. Highlights include a walk-through display of more than 1 million lights, “glice” skating, a holiday market, Frosty’s Fun Zone, Holiday Wine Walk and Santa and Friends. Igloos and fireside lounges can be reserved for cozying with some hot cocoa. S’mores kits, festive food and drinks will be sold. 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 12-14; Dec. 18-23 and Dec. 26 at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Tickets start at $26.98 for adults and $20.61 for kids on select nights. Admission is free for kids 3 and younger. The Holiday Wine Walk is $54.99. Promotional nights include military, first responders and nurses, seniors and students. Also, the first 1,000 kids get in free Dec. 14 if they bring one unwrapped toy for children in need, and general admission tickets are buy one, get one free on Dec. 18. delmarfairgrounds.com/events/2025/coastal-christmas.

Final performances of ‘Working Girl’: La Jolla Playhouse presents the final weekend of its world premiere musical featuring a score by Tony-winner Cyndi Lauper and book by Theresa Rebeck. It’s based on the 1988 Melanie Griffith film about a bright young secretary at a New York investment firm who takes advantage of her boss’s absence to enter the world of high finance. 7:30 p.m. today. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. $30-$139. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/working-girl

Holiday Harmonies: The North Coast Symphony Orchestra puts on a concert of festive music. 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. 7 p.m. Dec. 12  and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at the San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena. Admission is $18 general, $15 for seniors, students and military, free for 18 and younger. Visit northcoastsymphony.com.

Santa’s Sleigh Ride Parade: The Santa’s Sleigh Ride Parade is  hosted by the city of Solana Beach and the Solana Beach Parks and Recreation Commission. Santa will be riding along with fire, sheriff’s and Marine safety personnel. The sleigh ride will start and end at the Solana Beach Fire Station, 500 Lomas Santa Fe Drive. 2:30 to 5 p.m. Dec. 12. A map is at cityofsolanabeach.org.

Violist Marco Fusi performs Ti McCormack: Fusi will perform the U.S. premiere of UCSD faculty member McCormack’s 45-minute piece “…stretched across its axes” as well as new works by UCSD graduate composers William Kuo and Adam Zuckerman. 7 p.m. Friday. Conrad Prebys music Hall, 9410 Russell Lane, UCSD, La Jolla. $10-$20. music-cms.ucsd.edu/concerts/box_office.html

San Diego Symphony: “The Holiday” in Concert: Hear the symphony, conducted by Thiago Tiberio, play the musical score to “The Holiday” as the movie plays. The 2006 romantic film comedy stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. It featured an original score and songs by Hans Zimmer and a variety of classic holiday and pop songs. 6 p.m. Fiday . The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, downtown. $95-$120. 619-235-0804, theshell.org

Winter Wonderland at Lakehouse Resort: One of the most family-friendly pop-up experiences, Lakehouse Resort throws an annual holiday festival with candy cane cruises on Lake San Marcos as a highlight. Seasonal drinks will be for sale for all ages. Activities include a frozen fun zone, a train, a s’mores station, bounce houses and more. Groups of families and friends can rent out igloos with fire pits, s’mores, charcuterie, wine and family dinners. Early bird prices are available online through Nov. 26. Prices vary per activity. Nov. 28 to Dec. 26. 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos. $10 admission for ages 10 or older, free for kids under age 10. events.thelakehouseresort.com/e/winter-wonderland-at-lakehouse-resort-2025

Sacra/Profana presents “Immeasurably Bright, A Holiday Concert”: The choir shines a musical light in the darkest month of the year by creating uplifting sounds. 7 p.m. Friday St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 3502 Clairemont Drive, Clairemont. $15-$40. 619-432-2920, sacraprofana.org

North Coast Symphony presents “Holiday Harmonies”: The ensemble, with North Coast Singers youth choir, will perform works Mendelssohn, Gershwin, Copland, José Elizondo and Ching-Shan Chang.7 p.m. Fiday; 2 p.m. Sunday. San Dieguito United Methodist, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas. $15-$18. northcoastsymphony.com

“89 Carson Junction Road”: Compulsion Dance & Theater presents Michael Mizerany’s one-act play about an Army war veteran seeking answers and revenge from his fellow vet and former lover. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday. Diversionary Black Box Theater, 4545 Park Blvd., San Diego. $30. Play contain extended sequences of violence and gore. compulsiondancetheatre.org

Jingle Jets: The USS Midway Museum will be decked with more than a million lights as part of its “Jingle Jets” holiday light show and festivities from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on select nights from Nov. 28 to Dec. 30. Highlights include Holiday Dancing Light Show, Midway’s Magical Penguin Search, Christmas Carol Karaoke, Bring Your Dog Night, Santa’s Christmas Rush Virtual Reality Ride and expanded Reindeer Games, among other festivities. Holiday eats & treats will be sold. 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  

“IFs (Imaginary Friends)”: Trinity Theatre Company’s Grown Up Stage presents Thomas J. Misuraca’s play about Pippin an imaginary friend whose human child has outgrown her, so she and other abandoned IFs find new companions among a group of senior citizens. 7 p.m. Fiday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Mission Valley shopping center, Suite 129, 1640 Camino Del Rio North, San Diego. $30. 619-500-4985, trinityttc.org

“Master Class”: The Roustabouts Theatre Company and Scripps Ranch Theatre co-present Terrence McNally’s play about fading but fiery opera diva Maria Callas coaching young singers in 1970s New York. 7:30 p.m. Fiday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Legler Benbough Theatre, 783 Avenue of Nations, Allied International University, San Diego. $30-$52. 858-395-0573, theroustabouts.org