- Garden of Lights
thursday, dec. 12
Garden of Lights
The San Diego Botanic Garden brings your favorite elements of the winter season all to one location. Leave the hustle and bustle of the malls behind and enjoy a relaxing evening strolling through the lighted Garden. The San Diego Botanic Garden is a dazzling winter wonderland filled with more than 100,000 sparkling lights illuminating the Garden for a magical holiday experience. Adding to the sparkle is the Poinsettia Garden, festively decorated with many varieties of poinsettias.
San Diego Botanic Gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive in San Diego, 5 – 9 p.m., adult admission $14, 760-436-3036, sdbgarden.org
- Mistletoe, Music, & Mayhem
friday, dec. 13
Mistletoe, Music, & Mayhem
Five talented performers are the key to this outrageous musical comedy adventure that transcends the holidays! A line-up of original comedy scenarios mixed with a bevy of holiday inspired songs that will melt your heart and tickle your funny bone.
Ocean Beach Playhouse, 4944 Newport Ave. in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets $26.87 with service fee, oceanbeachplayhouse.com
- Rockin’ Around the Water Cooler
saturday, dec. 14
Rockin’ Around the Water Cooler
The Hillcrest Wind Ensemble (HWE) will present a special holiday concert and musical show, Rockin’ Around the Water Cooler , presenting traditional holiday classics along with music of Vienna celebrating the New Year. During the second half of the evening’s presentation, the band will become the “pit orchestra” for the staged musical. Produced and directed by Paul Terrell with original script written by Keith Schooler, the play takes place at a holiday office party with all its drama and dysfunction. The show promises to delight with song, laughter and surprises. Refreshments will be served during the intermission including home baked treats.
San Diego Woman’s Club, 2557 Third Ave. in Bankers Hill, 8 p.m., tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door, 619-692-2077, hillcrestwindensemble.com
- The Nutcracker (Men in Tights)
sunday, dec. 15
The Nutcracker (Men in Tights)
The award-winning San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (SDGMC) is back with its celebrated annual holiday show Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. “Our family-friendly show promises the whimsical magic of traditional holiday songs together with the fun and hijinks people have come to love and expect from our chorus,” said SDGMC Artistic Director Gary Holt. “No one does the holidays like 130 gay men! There’s singing and dancing, naughty and nice, and, yes, actual men in tights!”
Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. in San Diego, 3 p.m., tickets from $27, 619-570-1100, sdgmc.org
- Naturespow by Lisa-Colette Martin
monday, dec. 16
Featured artists: LaShawn Krom, Lisa-Colette Martin and Shelly Dyer
Nature inspired works in a variety of mediums on exhibit 12/16/13 – 12/31/13. Come by to experience nature ‘reaching out’ to you as each of these artists explores how we connect with, and are impacted by, elements within nature around us!
Southwestern Artists’ Association, Gallery 23, Spanish Village Art Center, 1770 Village Place in Balboa Park, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., admission free, 619-232-3522, swartists.com
- An American Christmas
tuesday, dec. 17
An American Christmas
Step inside the gorgeous Ballroom of the historic Hotel Del and you are back in 1913 for a memorable Christmas feast and celebration! This remarkable 3-hour evening is filled with music, dance, story, song and laughter, all woven throughout a delectable 5-course holiday meal. Your hosts are the Marshall family who love to celebrate the season each year at the beautiful Hotel del Coronado. 27 multi-talented performers sweep you up in a festive party that will be the pinnacle of your holidays!
Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave. in Coronado, 6:30 p.m., tickets $125, 619-437-6000, lambsplayers.org
- Eric Himan
wednesday, dec. 18
Eric Himan
Award-winning singer/songwriter, Eric Himan, returns to San Diego for one night only at Lestat’s Coffeehouse. Himan may be a staple in his current city of Tulsa, but more and more, there are people outside of Oklahoma who are taking notice of him. The San Diego stop is part of the singer/songwriter’s current West Coast tour performing songs from his most accomplished release to date, Gracefully. Himan will be joined onstage with his upright bassist, Matt Hayes, who also performs with Wayne Newton and formerly the Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey.
Lestat’s Coffeehouse, 3343 Adams Ave. in San Diego, 9 p.m., 619-282-0437, lestats.com
