California Corner

Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE--Charles Dickens’ characters will greet visitors to the Valhalla Holiday Faire: A Dickens Experience next weekend, Nov. 19-21. At the Tallac Historic Site, at U.S. Highway 50 and California 89. 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. (530) 542-4166.

HEALDSBURG--The Holiday Preview and Open House on Friday and Saturday will include a tree-lighting ceremony in the town plaza at 7 p.m. Friday. There will be carriage rides 5-8 p.m. Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday ($6 for up to six people). Downtown merchants will provide refreshments at the Holiday Preview, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to stores’ closing times Saturday. Free. (707) 433-6935.

SAN FRANCISCO--The Pier 39 tree-lighting festivities will begin at 1 p.m. next Sunday, Nov. 21. Sylvester and Tweety will be on hand to amuse the kids, along with children’s entertainers Lori & RJ, who will appear at 5 p.m. The lighting of the 65-foot Christmas tree will begin at 5:30 p.m. Pier 39 at Fisherman’s Wharf. 1-6 p.m. Free. (415) 705-5500.

OCEANSIDE--The 20th annual Mission San Luis Rey Christmas Faire next weekend, Nov. 20 and 21, will include trucked-in snow, arts and crafts, and activities for kids. San Luis Rey Mission, 4050 Mission Ave. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days. Free admission; parking $1. (760) 722-1534.

EL CAJON--The 53rd annual Mother Goose Parade will be the centerpiece of a weekend dedicated to children, Nov. 19-21. The parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. next Sunday on West Main Street. A three-day children’s carnival on Park Avenue will be open 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Free. (619) 444-8712.

Schenden’s e-mail address is lkschenden@msn.com.