Things to do include festival, parade, running event and more

Lightscape at Botanic Garden

The light show runs 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.  Visit sdbg.org

18th annual SoundOn Festival

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library and San Diego New Music present “Mythography,” the 18th annual SoundOn Festival, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 8-10, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The lineup will include: Jan. 8, “Liebestod — Myths of Love and Death,” world premieres by Alyssa Aska and Franklin Cox and music by Chaya Czernowin, Alexandra Gardner, Zosha DiCastri and Benjamin Britten; Jan. 9, “Body and Soul — Memory, Contemplation and Expectation,” world premiere by Sidney Marquez Boquiren and music by Michael Gordon, David Lang, Vicky Ray and Michael Jarrell; Jan. 10, “Mythologies — Searching for and Seeing Ourselves,” world premieres by Juan Campoverde Q., Lukas Schulze and Sidney Marquez Boquiren and music by Yu-hui Chang and Salvatore Sciarrino. Performers will include the Noise ensemble and guests Stephanie Aston, Leslie Ann Leytham, Wesley Fowler and Matt Kline. $32-$89 for the series, $12-$32 per concert. ljathenaeum.org/events/soundon-2026-series

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

Wild Holidays at Safari Park

Wild Holidays festivities are on select nights until 8 pm. through Jan. 4 at Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road.  Entertainment includes the “Light Up the Holidays” choreographed lighted tree show, Bridge of Lights,  Enchanted Lagoon and visits with Santa along with Holiday Troubadour, Forest of Color and Nairobi Lantern Walk, among other festivities. “Wild Holidays” activities are free with Safari Park admission or membership.  Visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.

Carlsbad Marathon slated next month

The 36th annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is back with winter racing by the ocean on Jan. 18. Races will start at The Shoppes at Carlsbad from 6:15 to 7:45 a.m. The marathon route features an 18-mile stretch along the ocean, the half marathon will showcase the beachfront for eight miles and the 5K will take runners along a scenic out-and-back route passing the Buena Vista Lagoon. There will also be a Double-Down Challenge combining the half marathon and 5k for a 16 mile run. The event will also include a variety of participant perks. The Finish Line Festival will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18  at The Shoppes at Carlsbad with festivities including live music, refreshments and a beer garden. The expo and packet pickup are from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at Holiday Inn Carlsbad/San Diego, 2725 Palomar Airport Road. Visit www.inmotionevents.com/event/carlsbad-marathon/

Holiday entertainment at LEGOLAND

Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be offered through Jan. 4 at LEGOLAND California, One Legoland Drive. Throughout the holidays, the park’s 30-foot LEGO tree will be decorated with lights and LEGO ornaments; it is 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.  Visit legoland.com/california.

13th annual Tea by the Sea event

St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host its 13th annual Tea by the Sea event on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the elegant Marine Room in La Jolla (2000 Spindrift Drive).Set against the Marine Room’s oceanfront backdrop, the event will feature a traditional tea service complemented by signature cocktails, assorted bites and hors d’oeuvres, live music, opportunity drawings, and shopping from Sophie’s Gallery. Guests are encouraged to attend in their favorite tea-time attire. Gentlemen are welcome.Proceeds benefit the Sophie’s Gallery and Art Program in downtown El Cajon, a space where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can explore their creativity  Tickets are available now starting at $170 per guest. Visit teabythesea.org.

Holiday Bowl and parade

The 30th annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk is slated to start at 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 2, taking place along the bayfront, beginning at Harbor Drive and Ash St. The 5K kicks off the 46th annual Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, featuring marching bands, floats, drill teams, and a procession of huge themed-balloons at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 on North Harbor Drive along downtown San Diego’s waterfront.  Street-side viewing of the parade is free. Grandstand tickets are $30. The Holiday Bowl game kicks off at Snapdragon Stadium at 5 p.m. Jan. 2. Visit holidaybowl.com

Old Town holiday cheer on wheels

Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tour runs through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 25) with a mix of sightseeing, holiday sing-alongs and a 90-minute trip from the Old Town Market, 4010 Twiggs Street, through festively decorated neighborhoods, including Old Town, Banker’s Hill, Little Italy and Garrison Street. Reservations required. www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/holiday-tour-tickets

Jingle Jets at Midway Museum

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 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 https://www.midway.org/event/jingle-jets-2025

Ice Skating at Liberty Station

The Rady Children’s Ice Rink in the Central Promenade at Arts District Liberty Station, will be open from 10 a.m.  to 10 p.m. daily  through Jan. 4., with modified hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $15-$25 and raise money for the thriving After Cancer Program at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Visit rchicerink.org

Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo

The annual holiday event through Jan. 4 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. Free with zoo admission or membership; parking is free. Visit sandiegozoo.org/junglebells.

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

Old Town holiday cheer on wheels

Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tour runs through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 25) with a mix of sightseeing, holiday sing-alongs and a 90-minute trip from the Old Town Market, 4010 Twiggs Street, through festively decorated neighborhoods, including Old Town, Banker’s Hill, Little Italy and Garrison Street. Reservations required. Visit  www.trolleytours.com/san-diego/holiday-tour-tickets

New Year’s Eve Ceremony at Seaside Center

Seaside Center for Spiritual Living’s 24th annual New Year’s Eve Ceremony for the community is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at  Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas.  Free; donations appreciated. Also can be accessed via Zoom; registration is appreciated but not required.at  https://seaside.breezechms.com/form/NewYearWaterCeremony2025.

–San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Linda McIntosh contributed to this report