29th Annual December Nights     December 1-2
Balboa Park is alive with the joy of the holidays and the spirit of Christmas! Amid twinkling lights and seasonal decorations, the Organ Pavilion will light up the night with a glorious Christmas Tree and holiday concert. Enjoy the electric mix of music, food, shopping, rides, museums, and more.  5:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Stephen Shushan or Jimmy Parker (619) 239-2437 or www.balboapark.org      

23rd Annual Mainly Masters 10K      December 2
Are you ready to join a 10K race that will give you a competitive edge for your age group? This event will include a run for persons age 40 and younger known as the “Open Group” and a separate run for persons over the age of 40 known as the “Master Group”. 7:30 am - 10:00 am. Location: East Mission Bay (Fiesta Island) $12.00 - $18.00. Peter Stern (619) 223-2599 or www.sdtc.com

Arbor Day at Mission Trails Park     December 2
You’re welcome to join a group of happy nature lovers and bring a shovel to plant trees, pull weeds, and other activities that will enrich the natural resources of the park for future generations and the animals that live there. Donations for oak and cottonwood trees will be greatly appreciated. 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Location: Mission Trails Park (meet at the East Fortuna Equestrian Staging Area) Information desk (619) 668-3281 or www.mtrp.org 

43rd Annual North Park Toyland Parade     December 2
Come early so you can watch the band competition before the parade begins. Then line up along the street so you’ll get a good view of the marching bands, floats, antique cars, motorcycles, clowns, dancers, cheerleaders, and more. 9:30 am - 1:30 pm. Location: North Park (University Avenue between Utah St. & 32nd St.) Steve Haselhurst (619) 252-7918

“Sun Diego” Skate Demo     December 2
Skateboard ramps will be set up in the parking lot at Belmont Park for a skating demonstration. Professional skateboard athletes from the ZERO Skate Team will demonstrate amazing stunts with skateboards. It may look easy, but it takes nerve, skill, balance, and good timing to do it. 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Location: Mission Beach (Belmont Park parking lot at Mission Blvd.) Paul Kobriger (760) 476-9201 or www.sundiego.com 

Canyoneer’s Walk Lake Murray     December 2
Walk with a group led by a trail guide and learn about plants and animals in the area. This easy walk will leasd you around the west side of the lake where wildflowers grow and waterfowl are plentiful. Your trail guide will tell you all about the history of the lake and the 1918 dam. 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm. Information desk (619) 255-0203 or www.sdnhm.org 

An Irish Christmas     December 2
On stage at the East County Performing Arts Center in El Cajon. 619-440-2277 or www.ecpac.com

27th Annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade     December 2
Residents of Ocean Beach will be lining up along the sidewalk to watch a holiday parade with a “beachy” twist. Marching bands, marching groups, antique cars, floats, and surfers will proudly march by. A small festival will accompany this parade where Santa will light up a tall Christmas Tree. 5pm - 7pm. Claudia Jack (619) 846-6269

George Lopez     December 2
Performing in the fabulous 12,000 seat facility of Cox Arena on the SDSU campus. 619-594-0429 or www.cox-arena.com

7th Annual Little Italy Holiday Tree Lighting     December 2
Little Italy will be aglow tonight! Shoppers and residents will enjoy the season’s festivities with roaming entertainers, music, and the lighting of a Holiday Tree. Come and enjoy hot cider, Italian cookies, a stilt-walking Santa, constest, and prizes. Stores will be open for late-night shopping. 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Location: Little Italy (Date Street between India St. & Columbia St.) Chris Gomez (619) 233-3898 or www.littleitalysd.com 

24th Annual La Jolla Holiday Festival     December 3
La Jolla is busy with holiday fun and excitement! A delightful festival will offer great gift items, delicious food, musical entertainment, a Fun Zone for children, and a tree lighting ceremony at the end of the day. This event is in conjunciton with the “La Jolla Christmas Parade”. Michele Addington (858) 790-6477 or www.ljparade.com

Deck the Palms at Seaport Village     December 3
Seaport Village is kicking off the holidays on Dec. 3, 2006. The first ever “Deck the Palms” event will include creatively decorated palms, an award winning sand sculptor creating life-sized “sandmen,” a craft for the kids and of course, holiday shopping. Santa will arrive by boat and will be available for pictures in his board shorts and rash guard while live rock and calypso style holiday music plays. A local charity fundraiser Fruit Cake Chuck-n-Hurl will also take place. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Megan Capizzi 619 235-4014 or mcapizzi@gmsrealty.com or www.seaportvillage.com

6th Annual Central Village Holiday Tree Lighting    December 7
Central Village is proud to bring the community together for a festive holiday tree lighting event. Everyone can enjoy pleasing entertainment that includes a visit from Santa, mariachis, and holiday music. The highlight of the evening will be when a 9-foot Christmas Tree lights up the night sky! 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm. Location: Central Village (25th Street between Imperial Ave. & L St.) Chris Gomez (619) 233-5009

16th Annual NBC/USMCR Toys for Tots Toy Drive    December 8-9
You can bring cheer to needy families across the country by making this a special holiday season for many children. Simply stay in your car and drop-off new, unwrapped toys at Broadway Circle. Local U.S. Marines will receive them. The gifts you give will bring joy and happiness to many faces. 6:00 am - 6:30 pm. Location: NBC Studio (225 Broadway Circle near Horton Plaza) Admission: New Unwrapped Toy. Isabel Valdez (619) 578-0502 or www.nbcsandiego.com

Christmas on the Promenade     December 8-9
If you’re eager to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, then come to this festival! Everything is Christmas! Christmas music, hot chocolate, holiday food, gift shopping, carriage rides, fun jumps, a snow hill, clowns, and art activities….plus, 25 elaborately decorated Christmas Trees! 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Location: Point Loma (Liberty Station NTC Promenade near Luce Court & Legacy Plaza) De De Knapp (858) 320-2055 or www.christmasonthepromenade.org

12th Annual Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis     December 9
Today, many jingle bells will be ringing in Balboa Park to raise funds to help cure arthritis. You can ring a “jungle” by attaching little bells to the laces of your shoes when you join this event that offers a 5K race and a leisurely 1-mile stroll. All that jingling will get you motivated! 6:00 am - 10:00 am. Location: Balboa Park (Morley Field) Admission $25.00-$30.00 (adult) ~ $15.00 (child age 6-12) ~ FREE (child age 5 & younger) Rachel Landolt (858) 492-1090 x-114 or www.arthritis-sandiego.org

Snow at Park at the Park     December 9
Actual snow will cover Park at the Park at Petco Park on Saturday, December 9. Bring the whole family for FREE sledding and other children’s activities. (A canned good is your entry.) Afterwards, stay downtown and explore a flurry of holiday activities, such as the Gingerbread House Building Contest at Peacock Plaza at the NBC Building! Location: Park at the Park-behind Petco Park, J Street behind Eighth and Ninth Avenues. 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Grace Madamba 619-533-7148 or madamba@ccdc.com

21st Annual Pacific Beach Christmas Parade     December 9
People will be lined up along the streets in Pacific Beach to watch a community parade that inspires a holiday spirit of red and green. You’ll see uniformed marching bands, marching groups, drill teams, floats, clowns, and more. Then look around for Santa to see what he’s riding on at this parade. 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Location: Pacific Beach Middle School - Haines St. - Garnet Ave. - Bayard St. Benjamin Nicholls (858) 273-3303 or www.pacificbeach.org

35th Annual Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights     December 9
Enjoy an enchanted evening by viewing a lighted boat procession in the waters of Mission Bay. Many delightfully decorated boats and yachts with colorful lights will parade in single file and brighten up the evening sky. For added pleasure, some of them will broadcast traditional holdiay music. 6pm - 9pm. Bryon Miller (858) 457-0416

An American Christmas     December 10-30
Lamb’s Players Theatre presents An American Christmas, a turn of the century feast and celebration at the historic Del Coronado Hotel. Step into the Hotel Del’s fabulous ballroom for a delightful 1906 family celebration. This remarkable evening is filled with story, song, dance and laughter - woven around a delicious 5-course meal. 619-437-0600 or www.lambsplayers.org

51st Annual Las Pasadas Luminarias     December 13
A Biblical procession will unfold at Old Town State Park with a costumed re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking lodging at an Inn. A live donkey will be present along with shepherds, wise men, star bearers, and creche carriers. A chorus will provide joyful singing of Christmas songs.  7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Alana Coons (619) 297-9327

7th Annual Hanukah Menorah Display     December 14-28
A Menorah is a candelabrum containing seven to nine candles that is used in Jewish worship. Throughout the holiday of Hanukah, a huge and beautiful 7-food Menorah will be traditionally displayed in the heart of La Jolla. 7:00 pm - 12:00 am. Location: La Jolla (Prospect St. & Herchel St.) Rabbi Ezabvi (619) 507-8340 or www.chabad.org 

5th Annual Christmas Extravaganza     December 16-17
A community outreach event will unfold in Southeast San Diego that will provide a holiday message and Christmas cheer for everyone. It offers a Kids Zone with fun carnival games and rides and FREE tasty hot dogs. When Santa arrives, he’ll be giving away toys to happy-faced children. 10:00 am - 10:00 pm. Location: Willie Henderson Sports Complex (1035 South 45th St.) Pastor James Ward (619) 527-7154 or www.icysd.org

Christmas Eve Champagne Sunday Brunch    December 24
Award-winning Champagne Sunday Brunch featuring more than 50 gourmet items that change seasonally. Speciality stations include: salads, elaborate seafood, breakfast, carving, hot entree and exquisite desserts. Live entertainment. $ 52.00 per person. Location: The Westgate Hotel. 10:00am-2:30pm. Eva Marie Gutierrez 619-557-3655 or egutierrez@westgatehotel.com or www.westgatehotel.com

11th Annual Memorial Christmas Motorcycle Toy Run     December 24
A large group of motorcycle riders will escort Santa to this holiday event. Santa and his elves will not be arriving by sled and reindeer; they’ll arrive on motorcycles! It’ll be a joyous evening filled with music and laughter as Santa and his elves hand out Christmas gifts to everyone there. 6pm-10pm. Location: Market Street (between Morrison St. & Derby St.) Netreia Carroll (619) 886-1023 or www.shabach.org 

17th Annual Big Bay Balloon Parade     December 28
Come and watch America’s largest balloon parade with over 100 entries and many massive air balloons. See marching bands, floats, specialty units, animals, and the Weinermobile carrying the winning dachshund of the dog race. This event is in conjunction with a festival and a 5K run/walk. 9:30 am - 11:30 am. Location: Harbor Dr. (County Administration Building parking lot) - Harbor Dr. - Pacific Hwy./Harbor Dr. Laura De La Montaigne (619) 283-5808 x-311 or www.pacificlifeholidaybowl.com

29th Annual Pacific Life Holiday Bowl     December 28
Don’t miss this spectacular and agressive college football game! The Holiday Bowl’s history is one of high scoring games and down to the wire finishes. It will feature the runner-ups in the PAC-10 Conference against the third selection from the Big-12 Conference. Get your tickets early! 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Location: Qualcomm Stadium (9449 Friars Rd.) Admission $55.00 - $70.00. Mark Neville (619) 283-5808 or www.holidaybowl.com 

Hot Air Balloon Fundraiser for Troy Peckham     December 29
A 14-year old boy has helped to organize this hot air balloon event to raise funds to help pay medical bills for a friend who is having extensive chemo therapy. Adventure Flights is offering hot air balloon rides, 50-feet into the air, hovering, and descending. It’s a rewarding experience for all. 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Location: Lake Hodges. $20.00 Suggested Donation. Sheryl Charleston (858) 357-6763 

New Year’s Casino Night     December 31
Viva Las Vegas! We’ve taken all the glitz and glamour of the city of lights, so don you world poker face & be prepared for a thrilling night with all of you favorite gaming events. What happens here, will stay in the magnificent Versailles Ballroom! Live entertainment & dancing. $ 95.00 per person. 7:00pm. Location: The Westgate Hotel. Eva Marie Gutierrez 619-557-3655 or egutierrez@westgatehotel.com or

www.westgatehotel.com

Information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.