thursday, dec. 24
A Christmas Carol
This season welcomes the return of the holiday classic adapted from Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption. This re-imagined, fully staged production features original new music, creative stagecraft and puppetry and live sound effects. Step into a Victorian Christmas card for a unique storytelling experience that is sure to delight the entire family!
Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs Street in San Diego, 2 p.m., tickets $44, 619-337-1525, cygnettheatre.com
friday, dec. 25
Christmas Day Brunch at Hotel del Coronado
Hotel del Coronado has been celebrating the holidays in grand tradition since 1888. It was here in 1904 that America experienced the first electrically-lit outdoor Christmas tree. Hotel del Coronado’s oceanfront Ballroom and the magnificent Crown Room will feature traditional holiday buffet dinners decked with all the trimmings with live musical entertainment. Both rooms will be beautifully decorated for the season.
Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado, noon-6 p.m., adults $105 in the Ballroom and $120 in the Crown Room, 619-522-8490, hoteldel.com
saturday, dec. 26
The Nutcracker
In its 26th anniversary year, this ballet fantasy delights with over 100 beautifully costumed dancers, reveling in Tchaikovsky’s beloved score. The San Diego Ballet’s Nutcracker features professional dancers from China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Mexico and the United States, as well as San Diego School of Ballet’s children from all over San Diego County. Come and join the San Diego Ballet on an enchanting journey through a landscape of Yuletide dreams.
Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B Street in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets from $20, 619-235-0804, sandiegoballetdancecompany.org
sunday, dec. 27
Doug Benson
Doug Benson (Last Comic Standing, Super High Me) has been on an album-a-year schedule since 2008 (his most recent release being Promotional Tool), plus he has several popular podcasts (including Doug Loves Movies and Getting Doug With High), does the occasional film (The Greatest Movie Ever Rolled, Chronic-Con) and makes regular appearances on @midnight on Comedy Central.
The American Comedy Company, 818B Sixth Ave. in San Diego, 7 p.m., tickets $18, 619-795-3858, americancomedyco.com
monday, dec 28
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin
In a virtuoso performance, award-winning showman and San Diego favorite Hershey Felder (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein) brings to life the remarkable story of Irving Berlin, long thought of as America’s composer. From the depths of anti-Semitism in Czarist Russia, to New York’s Lower East Side, and ultimately all of the country and the world, Irving Berlin’s story epitomizes capturing the American Dream.
La Jolla Playhouse, Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr. in La Jolla, 7:30 p.m., tickets from $55, 858-550-1010, lajollaplayhouse.org
tuesday, dec. 29
Tim Mantoani: Behind Photographs
San Diego-based Tim Mantoani has spent the last six years making portraits of the photographers responsible for some of the most iconic images in our popular cultural consciousness. While these images are instantly recognizable, their makers often remain unknown in mainstream culture, their names appearing in fine print and their likeness rarely shown. Using a 20 x 24 Polaroid camera, Mantoani shoots these photographers holding their favorite or most famous images.
Museum of Contemporary Arts La Jolla, 700 Prospect Street in La Jolla, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., general admission $10, 858-454-3541, mcasd.org
wednesday, dec. 30
Gilbert Castellanos Jazz Jam
Southern California trumpet virtuoso, Gilbert Castellanos, makes music that sounds effortless. Skilled with impressive dexterity and control, his clarity of expression moves listeners on a deeply emotional level.
Seven Grand San Diego, 3054 University Ave. in San Diego, 9 p.m., no cover, 619-269-8820, sevengrandbars.com
