Options remain for local holiday entertainment

There is just a couple weeks left to incorporate some holiday events into this season of celebration. Options include Hanukkah parties, performances of “The Nutcracker” ballet, music concerts, a chance to play in the snow and opportunities to visit with Santa Claus.

Rancho Bernardo

► The Rancho Bernardo Recreation Council presents the third annual “Snow in the Park” from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 in Rancho Bernardo Community Park, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive. There will be 40 tons of snow for all-ages sledding enjoyment. Sleds will be provided. Other activities will include a jumper, inflatable obstacle course and visits with Santa.

The Rancho Bernardo Community Council will provide free hot cocoa and cookies, photos with Santa and activities.

The event is free and food available for purchase. Attendees are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy or game for youths at the Polinsky Children’s Center. Call 858-538-8129.

► San Rafael Catholic Church is inviting everyone to its free annual “Christmas Concert” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 in the church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive. It will feature the traditional, contemporary and handbell choirs. There will be Christmas music from across the ages and sing-a-long carols. Call 858-487-4314.

► The Rancho Bernardo History Museum will welcome visitors from 4 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18 to 23 as part of Bernardo Winery’s “Holiday Nights” activities. The museum is near the winery’s entrance at 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte. There will be holiday songs, pianist, violinists, opportunities to take pictures with Santa on the mudwagon and see holiday items on display.

Admission is free. Call 858-775-5788 or go to rbhistory.org.

► “Breakfast with Santa” will be held at Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte, from 9:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 18 to 23. Children can meet with Santa in a relaxed setting, enjoy breakfast and get up close with some animals from Wild Wonders. There will also be face painting, holiday craft activities and cookie decorating.

Cost: $40 for adults, $30 for ages 7 to 12 and $10 for ages 2 to 6. Seating is limited. Tickets only sold in advance. Purchase at tinyurl.com/WinerySanta17. Call 858-487-1866.

► “Holiday Nights” returns to Bernardo Winery with activities offered each evening until 9 p.m. from Dec. 18 to 23 at the winery, 13330 Paseo del Verano Norte. The Tasting Room and Village Shops will be open late for holiday shopping.

The winery will be decorated with twinkle lights and seasonal décor. There will be carolers, arts and crafts vendors, carriage rides and more. Santa will not be at Holiday Nights. Admission and parking are free. Some activities have a nominal cost. No pets or outside food and beverages. Call 858-487-1866 or go to BernardoWinery.com.

► The Rancho Bernardo High School choirs will present their “Holiday Concert” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 and Thursday, Dec. 21 in the RBHS Performing Arts Center, 13010 Paseo Lucido.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

Poway

► Southern California Ballet will have more than 100 dancers presenting Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 plus 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 14598 Espola Road. Professional guest artists will perform principal roles.

Tickets are $25 to $43, with child (under 18), student (with ID, including college), senior (65-plus), military and group discounts offered. Purchase at powaycenter.com or 858-748-0505.

► Temple Adat Shalom will hold its annual “Hanukkah Party” from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the synagogue, 15905 Pomerado Road. The family-friendly celebration will include a havdalah service, menorah lighting, the Hanukkah story and seasonal songs. There will be a light latke supper, games and crafts for the entire family. All are welcome. Temple membership is not required.

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children (ages 2 and under are free) or $20 per family. RSVP by mailing payment by Dec. 8 to Outreach Committee, Temple Adat Shalom, 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway, CA 92064. For details, call 858-451-1200 or send an email to outreach@adatshalom.com.

► Santa Claus will visit with children at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 in the Poway Library, 13137 Poway Road. Bring wish lists and cameras. Call 858-513-2900.

► Chabad of Poway is offering a “Hanukkah Fun Zone” from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 at Chabad, 16934 Chabad Way. There will be giant inflatables, arts and crafts, kids’ entertainment, food, a chocolate gelt drop from a fire truck and more.

For details, call 858-451-0455 ext. 12 or email mendel@chabadpoway.com.

► The Poway High School Jazz Band will present its “Winter Concert” at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road.

Tickets are $10 for adults and free for students at the door. Call Mike Cook at 858-748-0245 ext. 5255.

► The Poway High School Orchestra will present its “Winter Concert” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 in the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road.

Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and free for students. Call 858-745-0245.

4S Ranch

► The Del Norte High School Instrumental Music Department will present its “Holiday Concert” at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 in the DNHS Performing Arts Center, 16601 Nighthawk Lane. The color guard, jazz band, wind ensemble, concert band, string orchestra and symphonic orchestra will perform.

Tickets at the door are $10 for general admission and $8 for seniors, military and students.

► The Oak Valley Middle School concert band and wind ensemble will perform their “Winter Concert” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 in the Del Norte High School Performing Arts Center, 16601 Nighthawk Lane.

► The Oak Valley Middle School orchestra will present its “Winter Concert” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 in the Del Norte High School Performing Arts Center, 16601 Nighthawk Lane.

► The Oak Valley Middle School choir will perform its “Holiday Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 in the school’s multi-purpose room, 16055 Winecreek Road.

Regional

► California Ballet will present its 47th annual production of “The Nutcracker” in the San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave. in downtown San Diego. Matinee and evening performances from Dec. 15 to 23 are with the San Diego Symphony. This is for ages 4 through adult.

A 60-minute autism/sensory friendly version will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. For details, go to AutismFriendlyNutcracker.com. Other special performances include Military Night (Dec. 20).

Tickets are $25 to $105. Children 4-12 receive a 20 percent discount. Purchase at 619-570-1100 or CaliforniaBallet.org.

► Enjoy the second annual “Winter Wonderland” at the Welk Resort, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive in Escondido, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17. All ages are welcome. There will be sledding down a snow-covered hill; a snow play area; opportunities to take pictures with Santa and pet his reindeer; wrap presents, build toys and go on elf missions in Santa’s Elf Academy; ride the Polar Express; play carnival rides and roast s’mores. There will also be live bands, food truck vendors and Christmas cuisine tastings from around the world ($24 more).

Cost: Early general admission tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Purchase at tinyurl.com/WelkWinter16. For questions, call 877-706-0264.

► The San Diego Symphony will present “Noel Noel” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and Friday, Dec. 22; plus 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 in Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B Street in downtown San Diego.

Tickets are $20 to $75. Purchase at sandiegosymphony.org.

► The San Diego Symphony will present “Noel Noel — A Family Concert” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 in Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B Street in downtown San Diego.

The orchestra will be joined by the San Diego Master Chorale, San Diego Children’s Choir and Santa Claus. Pre-concert activities will begin at 1 p.m. in the lobby, where children can play an instrument in the Discovery Zone, meet the musicians and more.

Tickets are $10 to $25. Purchase at sandiegosymphony.org.

► The 46th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17. Around 80 lavishly decorated boats will be participating. The theme is “Arrgh! A Pirate’s Christmas.”

The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at Shelter Island, then proceed to Harbor Island (5:30 p.m.), the Embarcadero (6 p.m.), Seaport Village (6:30 p.m.), the Pier at Cesar Chavez Park (6:45 p.m.) and end at the Ferry Landing in Coronado (7 p.m.). The announcers’ areas will be at the Maritime Museum on the Embarcadero and at Coronado Landing. At these viewing points, the announcers offer a brief history and description of the vessels.

The parade takes about an hour to pass any given point. There are many waterfront viewpoints along the route. For a map of the route and parking areas, go to tinyurl.com/SDboats17. Due to traffic and parking demand, observers are encouraged to plan ahead or take the trolley.

► Patio Playhouse Community and Youth Theater presents the play “Greetings!” through Dec. 17 at 116 S. Kalmia Street in Escondido. It is about a guy who brings his Jewish atheist fiancee to meet his Catholic family on Christmas Eve and what happens when his severely-challenged younger brother, who never says more than “Oh, boy” and “Wow,” suddenly says “Greetings!”

Tickets are for $18 adults; $15 for seniors, students and military; and $10 for ages 16 and under. For tickets, call 760-746-6669 or go to patioplayhouse.com.

► The San Diego Symphony will present “Fanfares and Celebrations” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20 in Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B Street in downtown San Diego.

Tickets are $35. Purchase at sandiegosymphony.org.

► The Welk Theatre presents “A Christmas Carol” at 1 p.m. on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; plus 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays through Dec. 31 at the Welk Resort, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive in Escondido. This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ story about Ebenezer Scrooge features the music of Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid”).

Tickets are $59 (special pricing for ages 4 to 13). An optional pre-show three-course dinner is an additional $21. Purchase at welkresorts.com or 888-802-7469.

► The Old Globe is presenting its 20th annual production of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” in matinee and evening shows through Dec. 24.

The Old Globe is at 1363 Old Globe Way in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Children under 3 may only attend 11 a.m. shows and those under age 2 are free if sitting on an adult’s lap.

Tickets start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Purchase at TheOldGlobe.org, 619-234-5623 or at the box office.

► City Ballet of San Diego will present “The Nutcracker” at Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway in downtown San Diego, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 24.

Tickets are $25 to $85. Saturday nights have an optional post-show on-stage champagne reception for $20 more. Buy tickets at 858-272-8663 or cityballet.org.

► San Diego Musical Theatre presents “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” in matinee and evening performances through Dec. 24 in the Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave. in downtown San Diego. The play about a department store Santa claiming he is the real Kris Kringle is adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio Hour Broadcast and staged with many holiday carols.

Tickets are $25 to $60, with senior, child, student, under 30 and group discounts available. Purchase at sdmt.org or 858-560-5740.

► Cygnet Theatre presents the classic holiday musical “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 24 at 4040 Twiggs Street in San Diego’s Old Town.

Tickets start at $43, with discounts for children, seniors, students, active-duty military and groups. Call 619-337-1525 or go to cygnettheatre.com.

email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com