A Christmas miracle?
This year’s edition of the annual La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival, which last week appeared in doubt because of a funding shortage, has received a donation that will allow it to proceed as scheduled on Sunday, Dec. 3.
“The parade is on!” organizer Ann Kerr told the La Jolla Light.
The 67th parade, planned along Girard Avenue and Prospect Street with a theme of “Christmas on the Sand,” was running about $35,000 short of the amount needed to cover police services, portable toilets, insurance, post-event cleanup and more until La Jolla resident Dianne Bashor gave much of the needed money. The amount she donated was not disclosed.
Though smaller donations are still needed, organizers said they have enough to secure the permits.
The parade is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. at Girard Avenue and Kline Street and progress down Girard onto Prospect Street.
The accompanying Holiday Festival is to run from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wall Street outside the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. It is scheduled to feature a Santa’s Village setup with activities and photo opportunities.
To learn more or donate, visit ljparade.com.
Here’s a look at other holiday-season festivals, concerts, fundraisers and more slated for La Jolla in coming weeks.
Christmas trees
Mr. Jingles Christmas Trees will open its La Jolla location Friday, Nov. 24, at 6710 La Jolla Blvd. The lot will offer shopping for trees, ornaments, lights, wreaths and more, plus delivery, installation and tree removal services and online ordering.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 24. For more information, call (844) 454-6453 or visit mrjingleschristmastrees.com.
Tree lighting
The La Valencia Hotel will host a free holiday tree lighting event from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at 1132 Prospect St. Guests can partake of holiday beverages, homemade treats, live music, carolers and children’s crafts while counting down to the tree lighting at 5:45 p.m.
For more information, go to bit.ly/47hvZlO.
BirdStock
Back for a second year, the revival of BirdStock will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, along La Jolla Boulevard between Camino de la Costa and Midway streets. The free event is a fundraiser for Bird Rock Elementary School and will feature music, specials at local merchants, children’s activities and more.
Organizer Ariana Opsvig said every participating merchant will have a special activity associated with the event, such as activities, bites, discounts on merchandise, guest vendors and more.
Learn more by emailing [email protected].
Winter wonderlands
Marche de Noel
San Diego French American School will present its annual Marche de Noel (Winter Market) from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. The public event will feature food, shopping and music at 6550 Soledad Mountain Road. For more information, call (858) 456-2807.
The Conrad
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center’s annual free Holiday Open House returns at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at 7600 Fay Ave. The free event for the whole family will transform the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd with cider and hot cocoa, story time, crafts for children and holiday shopping with local artisans. Also featured will be live musical performances of holiday favorites from the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, with a guest appearance by Davina Sowers from Davina and the Vagabonds. Learn more at theconrad.org.
La Jolla Open Aire Market
The La Jolla Open Aire Market Winter Carnival will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, on the corner of Girard Avenue and Genter Street. Participants can write letters to Santa Claus, spend time in Santa’s workshop, decorate ornaments, get their faces painted, see balloon art, play games, make art and more. Learn more at lajollamarket.com.
Westfield UTC
The Westfield UTC shopping complex this week unveils its Peppermint Beach Club, which brings the North Pole to sunny San Diego at 4545 La Jolla Village Drive.
Activities include parties, retail pop-ups, snowfall, visits with Mrs. Claus and the elves, and a live DJ to help spread holiday cheer. Among the offerings are Santa’s Villa (not to be confused with Santa’s Village), where photos with the man in red can be taken from 4 to 7 p.m. daily. There’s also ice skating on select days and a specialty menu at Queenstown Bistro, plus a gift-wrapping station Dec. 15-23, with proceeds going to Rady Children’s Hospital.
For daily hours and more information, visit bit.ly/46iq2DK.
Holiday concerts
Davina and the Vagabonds
Ahead of the Holiday Open House at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, Davina and the Vagabonds will play a holiday show at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7600 Fay Ave.
With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band will put its spin on holiday standards, with the audience encouraged to sing along.
Tickets start at $68 and can be purchased at theconrad.org.
Carolers and Clauses
The Lodge at Torrey Pines will present the Westminster Carolers from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23, along with hot apple cider and fruitcake at 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road.
The resort also will host a “Sing Along with Santa and Mrs. Claus” at 5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, Dec. 18 and 20.
To learn more, visit lodgetorreypines.com/holiday-events.
‘Magnificat’
La Jolla Presbyterian Church will host its free Christmas concert with performances of Bach’s “Magnificat” at 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at 7715 Draper Ave.
A free reception will follow the 7 p.m. show. For more information, visit ljpres.org/concert-series.
Choir of Clare
The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, and conductor Graham Ross will make their debut at St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, with what is being called “a magnificent festive program that stretches from the richness of Renaissance polyphony by Praetorius, Morales and Mouton to masterpieces by Howells, Sally Beamish and Will Todd.” The performance will be at 743 Prospect St.
“We have been working to bring the Choir of Clare College to La Jolla for over a decade, knowing how thrilling it would be for our audience,” said St. James music director Alex Benestelli. “I am so grateful that calendars and logistics have finally aligned to make it possible.”
Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at stjamesmusicseries.com.
Athenaeum Jazz at Scripps Research
Trinidad-born trumpeter, percussionist and composer Etienne Charles and his sextet will perform a “Creole Christmas” program at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, as part of the Athenaeum Jazz at Scripps Research fall series.
The concert will be at the Scripps Research Auditorium, 10620 John Jay Hopkins Drive. Tickets are $45 for Athenaeum Music & Arts Library and $50 for non-. To learn more, visit ljathenaeum.org/events/jazz-23-1210.
Camarada
Camarada @ The Conrad will present “Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at 7600 Fay Ave. San Diego jazz guitarist Peter Sprague will put his spin on the soundtrack of the beloved holiday television special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” He’ll be ed by Allison Adams Tucker on vocals, Beth Ross Buckley on flute, Tripp Sprague on saxophone, flute and harmonica, Mackenzie Leighton on double bass, Danny Green on piano and Duncan Moore on drums. Tickets start at $38 and can be purchased at theconrad.org.
Food and drink
Holiday Tea
The La Valencia Hotel will offer tea service with scones, small sandwiches, mini pastries and a glass of champagne from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday in December at 1132 Prospect St. The cost is $95 per person. For reservations, go to bit.ly/40MryNh.
Storytime Brunch
The La Valencia Hotel presents “Storytime Brunch with Santa” on Saturdays from Dec. 2 to 23 at 1132 Prospect St. Brunch will served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Mediterranean Room, with a visit from Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more at bit.ly/3us1ieX.
Taste of the Season
The Lodge at Torrey Pines will offer holiday eggnog, German mulled wine, champagne and caviar dollops, ice wine and cheese and a variety of themed tasting events from 3 to 4:45 p.m. Dec. 8, 15, 22 and 29 in the lobby at 11480 N. Torrey Pines Road. Learn more at lodgetorreypines.com/holiday-events.
Specialty events
Holiday Dog Party
To cover everyone on the “nice” list this year — two-legged and four — Warwick’s bookstore will host a Holiday Dog Party at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7812 Girard Ave. Dogs and their owners are encouraged to wear holiday attire for photos with Santa Claus. Plus, there will be treats and prizes. Learn more at warwicks.com/event/dog-party-2023.
Holiday Art in the Garden
The Bird Rock Artist Guild will present its annual Holiday Art in the Garden shopping event from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at 5571 Bellevue Ave. in Bird Rock.
Guests will make their way through a garden where around every corner or under every tree they will find art in a variety of media from local artists.
Donations will be accepted for ArtReach, Unity 4 Orphans and Center for World Music. For more information, email [email protected].
Chabad of La Jolla
Chabad of La Jolla will present its annual menorah lighting to honor the tradition of Hanukkah beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. The location will be given upon RSVP to (858) 455-5433 or [email protected].
The ceremony commemorates the Jewish holiday, during which menorah candles typically are lit one by one each day at sundown for eight days. This year, Hanukkah runs Dec. 7-15.
Community Center celebration
Shopping, live music, dinner and drinks, a silent auction and raffles will be among the festivities at the La Jolla Community Center’s holiday celebration from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd.
The party is free for Community Center sustaining , $10 for and $25 for non-. To , call (858) 459-0831. For more information, visit ljcommunitycenter.org/holiday-celebration-2023.
Movie Night
For those who have seen the traditional holiday movies one too many times, the La Jolla Recreation Center will present “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” for its Movie Night in the Park at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16.
The event also will include bounce houses, face painting, music and more at 615 Prospect St. The movie starts at dusk.
Gingerbread houses
The La Valencia Hotel will offer gingerbread house decorating from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 1132 Prospect St. Guests can decorate pre-assembled gingerbread houses from top to bottom and have chocolate milk and cookies. The cost is $100. For more information, visit bit.ly/3MRY76L.
Fundraiser
The Positive Movement Foundation will present its third “Cocktails for a Cause: A Not So Silent Night” at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at the La Jolla estate of Joan Waitt. The event includes craft cocktails, bites, live entertainment, live and silent auctions and more.
The address will be provided with a ticket purchase. General ission starts at $159 and VIP tickets begin at $399. For tickets, go to bit.ly/3R2xrTl.
Positive Movement programs include R and basic first-aid training, certification to garden clubs, emotional therapy training using service animals, plus student of the month recognitions and teacher/student catered lunches. ◆
