San Diego Weekend Guide: Dec. 23-25 – Christmas Edition

By Editor, Times of San Diego

December 23, 2022

(For a full list of theme parks, ice skating and other holiday activities available through the end of the season, please see Holidays in San Diego.)

You may have loved ones in town and home and hearth is great, but this is San Diego. There’s no bomb cyclone lying in wait for us, so get out there and enjoy the holiday. Many shows and outdoor seasonal activities continue this San Diego weekend (and even through year’s end), so there’s still time to make merry.

Bundle up and hit the beach early Friday and Saturday to spy a natural wonder – the king tides. Forecasters say big waves, up to 7 feet, will crash along the coast, so if your guests have a hankering to see the shore, take them to your favorite patch of sand between 7 and 9 a.m.

Connect with the young dancer in your life by way of the Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, in two North County productions, both with family-friendly matinees:

Of course, you may need some late (ahem) shopping ideas and Fiesta de Reyes gives you the chance to take folks to one of the region’s prime tourist attractions while making any last-minute purchases you see fit. The Old Town favorite offers holiday music and decor on Friday and Saturday, along with face painting, live music and traditional tamales for sale.

Let’s say your approach to the holiday tends to the more irreverent. The Casbah then is a good place to turn for the Cure Christmas Dance Party at 9 p.m. Friday. Robert Smith’s smeared lipstick, after all is the perfect red for the season, ’80s nostalgia is a hoot and the price is right if gifts have tapped you out – $5.

You may not have a regular church home, but a good choir appeals to you. On Christmas, a number of churches are hosting special carol services. They include:

For many people, seeing a movie after all the presents are unwrapped (but before the big Christmas dinner) is a key part of the holiday tradition. AMC Mission Valley 20 is showing two modern classics, Elf and Love Actually, at 11 a.m. Sunday with discounted $5 “fan faves” tickets. There’s also the Santa-themed caper flick Violent Night and blockbuster sequels to Avatar and Black Panther at most cineplexes.

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