Ready for Christmas? Downtown Merchants Are

A bit of Christmas swept through Horton Plaza park on Friday with Santa Claus and carolers on hand to promote an array of musicals, fund-raisers, parades and tree lightings that will make up the city’s Christmas events.

More than 30 holiday activities were brought together under the title of “Christmas in the City” for the first-time effort to “focus (the attention of San Diegans) on events that are happening downtown during the Christmas season,” said Clark Siebrand, president of the Central City Assn.

The events, which begin Nov. 24 and end three days before Christmas, will feature the lighting of trees outside Horton Plaza on Dec. 2 and the “Holiday Bowl-Christmas in the City Parade” at 10 a.m. Dec. 21.

Former Olympic racer and world-record holder Zola Budd will run Dec. 1 in a 10-kilometer race through the heart of downtown. Riders can take a free tour of downtown decorations a day later at 6:30 p.m. on the “Molly Trolley.” Pickup is in front of the Harbor House Restaurant in Seaport Village and the 20-minute trip will wind through the Gaslamp Quarter.

For those in a mood for song and dance, the San Diego Symphony will feature guest conductors and soloists during the early part of December, and the Poinsettia Ball, featuring live music and comedian Phyllis Diller, will take place Dec. 19 at the Hotel Inter-Continental. “The Nutcracker” ballet will be performed Dec. 21 and 22 at the Civic Center, 202 C St.

Saint Nicholas will make an early arrival from the North Pole to light up the eyes and hearts of children and grown-ups alike at 2 p.m. Nov. 29 at Seaport Village. Then on Dec. 22, Seaport Village will light a 40-foot Christmas tree in front of the Harbor House Restaurant at 6 p.m.

A musical version of the play “A Christmas Carol” will run nine days at the California Performing Arts Center, with the first show Dec. 14.

And don’t forget the “Parade of Lights” at 6 p.m. Dec. 22. More than 150 boats covered with lights will make the two-hour journey from the Coronado Bridge to Shelter Island.