Things to do in December

Nov. 30, 2017 5:05 PM PT

Events in San Diego during the last month of 2017 include December Nights, the Island Food and Beer Fest and the San Diego International Auto Show.

Through 1.7: Global Winter Wonderland

Indulge in international cuisine amid illuminated landscapes at this weeks-long celebration of multicultural holidays featuring shopping, carnival rides and a visit from St. Nick himself.

SDCCU Stadium, Mission Valley, globalwonderland.com

12.1: 42nd Annual Holiday Parade

Start the yuletide season in style at this traditional hometown parade set to a soundtrack of carolers. One lucky family will have the chance to light up Star Pine, the island community’s giant holiday tree.

Rotary Plaza, Coronado, coronadochamber.com

12.1, 2: 40th Annual December Nights

Admission to this iconic two-day extravaganza includes international food samples, plus access to exhibitions and entertainment at the park’s many museums.

Balboa Park, sandiego.gov

12.2: 54th Annual North Park Toyland Parade & Festival

Marching bands, vintage cars, beauty queens and more stroll between Utah and Iowa streets during this festive event.

University Avenue, North Park, toylandparade.com

12.2: 2017 Encinitas Holiday Parade

Schmooze your way onto any of nearly 100 floats or join the throngs of cheering spectators during this Coast Highway tradition that culminates with a tree-lighting ceremony and a cameo by Kris Kringle.

Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, encinitaschamber.com

12.2: 19th Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village

Enjoy holiday shopping, horse-carriage rides and a 25-foot poinsettia tower while soaking in Little Italy’s charm amid live entertainment and an endless variety of holiday treats.

India Street, Little Italy, littleitalysd.com

12.2: Island Food and Beer Fest

Knock back unlimited tastings of locally brewed beer, then soak up those suds with delicious dishes from the Pacific Islands prepared by some legendary local restaurants.

Waterfront Park, Little Italy, facebook.com/coconutsandcocktailspromotions

12.2: Chula Vista Starlight Parade

Bring the family to this holiday-themed parade including a snack alley, science and technology labs, and Mrs. Claus’ gingerbread bounce house.

Third Avenue Village, Chula Vista, starlightparade.com

12.2: 59th Annual Vista Christmas Parade

See some of Vista’s best and brightest community groups during this parade that commences at the Civic Center and winds down at the Wave Waterpark.

Civic Center, Vista, vistachamber.org

12.2: 38th Annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade

With a theme of California Dreamin’ in the Season of Love, and showcasing classic Woodies, VW Beetles, and the Roller Derby Dolls, O.B.’s holiday parade is bound to bring out the neighborhood’s best.

Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach, obtowncouncil.org

12.2: Sugar Rush 5K

In this unique exhibit of athleticism, participants consume a Krispy Kreme Donut at each mile marker before celebrating over games such as corn hole, giant checkers and ladder ball.

Embarcadero Marina Park North, Little Italy, thesugarrush5k.com

12.3: Holiday Bazaar

Cross any remaining names off your shopping list at this pop-up holiday market offering a curated selection of local fashion, handmade gifts and vintage treasures from 150 vendors.

Corky McMillin Event Center, Liberty Station, libertystation.com

12.3: 60th Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival

Sporting a new Christmas Jewels theme for 2017, this yearly parade through downtown La Jolla gives guests a glimpse of the community’s incredible talent.

Girard Avenue, La Jolla, ljparade.com

12.3: SoNo Fest Chili Cook-Off

More than three dozen of the city’s best restaurants compete in this chili smackdown brimming with craft beverages, three stages of live music and food trucks (for those who abhor beans).

32^nd and Thorn streets, North Park, sonofestchilicookoff.com

12.3: 5th Annual Over the Edge for Brain Cancer

Try not to lose your lunch while rappelling down the tallest building on downtown’s waterfront during this no-experience-necessary event benefiting brain-cancer research.

Manchester Grand Hyatt, downtown, abc2.org

12.9: The Toast of Gaslamp

Save your cheat day for this decadent evening chock full of cocktails and bites from 20 of the Gaslamp’s top restaurants, then score some scorching deals at 20 of downtown’s most desirable retailers.

Toast of Gaslamp, Throughout the Gaslamp, gaslamp.org

12.9: Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights

Bring a blanket, a jacket and some hot cocoa to sip on while watching decked-out boats of all shapes and sizes float amid this seafaring celebration along O’side’s coast.

Oceanside Harbor, Oceanside, visitoceanside.org

12.9: 5th Annual San Diego Santa Run

Run with 3,000 Santas through the streets of P.B., then put your free drink ticket to good use at the post-race celebration, which wraps up right before the neighborhood’s holiday parade begins.

Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach, sandiegosantarun.com

12.9: 4th Annual Makers Arcade Fair

Meet makers, listen to live music and express yourself at the make-and-take craft center during this one-of-a-kind event that includes scrumptious bites, a free photo booth and finely crafted cocktails.

Port Pavilion at Broadway Pier, downtown, makersarcade.com

12.10: 10th Annual Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade

Pet owners and their companions from the animal kingdom are invited to don costumes and compete in any of nine categories during this romp through the Gaslamp Quarter.

MLK Promenade Park, downtown, holidaypetparade.com

12.10, 17: 46th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

More than 100,000 locals are expected to attend this bayfront tradition showcasing 80 lavishly decorated boats fitting this year’s theme: Arrrgh! A Pirate’s Christmas.

San Diego Bay, downtown, sdparadeoflights.org

12.15: Red Nose Run

Choose between a 3K or 5K course for this dog-friendly fun-run fully managed by volunteers and benefiting two local nonprofits.

Del Mar Beach, Del Mar, therednoserun.com

12.15-16: Queen Bee Market

The city’s original urban-style, artisan market features more than 100 local and national vendors specializing in handmade and vintage accessories, along with clothing, home décor, furniture and more.

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, thequeenbeemarket.com

12.16: 12 Bars of Charity

Dedicated drinkers can donate $10 to join any of eight charity teams before taking a free shuttle to a dozen participating watering holes offering a variety of drink specials.

Various locations around downtown and Little Italy,
12barsofcharity.com

12.17: Great Chocolate Race

Go on a scenic 5K- or 10-mile run through downtown, Hillcrest and Balboa Park, then be treated to truffles and cocoa upon arriving at the Fifth Avenue finish line.

Downtown to Balboa Park, greatchocolaterace.com

12.28: Holiday Bowl Parade

This larger-than-life balloon parade begins on downtown’s bayside streets and brings together world-class marching bands and entertaining drill teams amid a sea of awe-inspiring inflatables.

North Harbor Dr., downtown, holidaybowl.com

12.28: San Diego County Holiday Bowl

Two Division I football teams will face off after a heart-pounding pregame featuring marching bands, parachute jumpers and a football-field-sized American Flag.

SDCCU Stadium, Mission Valley, holidaybowl.com

12.28-1.1: San Diego International Auto Show

Auto aficionados are welcome to feast their eyes on more than 400 vehicles from 40 manufacturers at this year’s show, including many 2017 and 2018 models that haven’t yet hit the road.

San Diego Convention Center, downtown, sdautoshow.com

San Diego Gulls home games

12.13 vs Stockton Heat

12.16 vs Stockton Heat

12.22 vs Ontario Reign

12.27 vs Tucson Roadrunners

San Diego Sockers home games

12.3 vs Sonora Soles

12.17 vs Turlock Express

December 2017 Movies

12.1 He’s Out There

12.8 The Shape of Water, Just Getting Started

12.15 Ferdinand, Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi

12.20 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The Greatest Showman

12.22 Pitch Perfect 3, Downsizing, Father Figures

The Shape of Water

A Fairy Tale for Troubled Times

Directed by Guillermo Del Toro

Starring Michael Shannon, Doug Jones, Sally Hawkins

Set in Baltimore during the height of the Cold War, a mute cleaning woman working in a government facility discovers a classified creature confined to a tank.