The double-chocolate Peppermint Patty Waffle is available at Cafe 222 for a limited time only.
There are lots of ways to celebrate Christmas weekend in San Diego, from ugly sweater parties to teddy bear teas. Check out the top San Diego weekend events for December 20-25.
By Jordan Fraser.
EVENTS
December Days & Nights
Dec. 20-22. Head to Rancho Bernardo Inn for an overload of Christmas cheer. Enjoy caroling, photos with Santa, cookie decorating for kids, storytelling, festive refreshments and more. Explore Christmas Tree Row where many full-size Christmas trees are decorated to the nines, watch an outdoor light show and ogle a life-size gingerbread house constructed in the lobby. 5-8 p.m. 17550 Bernardo Oaks Dr., Rancho Bernardo, 858.574.5356. ranchobernardoinn.com
Gingerbread Classes
Dec. 21-23. Adults and children alike are welcome to join in the spirit of the holidays with the Park Hyatt Aviara’s expert pastry team as they cheerfully guide you through a festive gingerbread decorating class. Reservations are required and space is limited. 1:30-3:30 p.m. $60. Avalon Ballroom, 7100 Aviara Resort Dr., Carlsbad. hyatt.com
’80s Christmas and Ugly Sweater Party
Dec. 21. Dust off your worst Christmas sweater, your finest 1980s couture or some combination of the two for Betamaxx’s ’80s Christmas and Ugly Sweater Party. Best known for their high-energy performances packed with non-stop, nostalgia-filled ‘80s cover jams, Betamaxx will merge holiday cheer with the right amount of ‘80s flair. Doors open at 8 p.m. $16-$36. 1337 India St., Little Italy, 619.795.1337. musicboxsd.com
CHRISTMAS
Chandler’s Christmas Eve Dinner
Dec. 24. Spend the holiday at Cape Rey Carlsbad with a three-course prix-fixe dinner. Begin with a first course of lobster bisque, little gem salad or smoked avocado tartare, followed by your choice of entree including braised short rib, mustard glazed salmon, herb roasted Jidori half chicken and smoked fettuccine alfredo. Finish off the evening with a gingerbread yule log or chocolate peppermint cheesecake. 4-9 p.m. Price based on entree selection, wine pairings $25 additional; $24 children ages 12 and under. 1 Ponto Road, Carlsbad, 760.683.5500. chandlerscarlsbad.com
Christmas at Cafe Sevilla
Dec. 24-25. Spend Christmas with the tastes of Spain thanks to Cafe Sevilla’s special three-course holiday menu. First course options include roasted butternut squash soup or croquetas de paella, followed by a choice of herb-scented turkey breast, aged flat iron steak or pan-roasted Chinook salmon. Finish with Tahitian vanilla bean bread pudding. Enjoy live flamenco guitar music by Oscar Aragon’s Trio from 7-10 p.m. on Christmas Eve and live Gypsy King-style music by Joef from 7-10 p.m. on Christmas Day. $39.50. 353 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter, 619.233.5979. cafesevilla.com
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Grant Grill
Dec. 24-25. Settle in for fine dining this Christmas Eve and Day at The U.S. Grant’s signature restaurant. Menu highlights include amuse bouche featuring sea scallop, pickled persimmons and passion fruit; roasted sunchoke soup with pumpkin seed, Brussels sprouts and brioche croutons; sea urchin with bottarga, porcini cavatelli and extra virgin olive oil. 5-9 p.m., $97, $140 with wine pairings. 326 Broadway, downtown, 619.744.2077. grantgrill.com
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at JRDN
Dec. 24-25. Celebrate with friends and family on Christmas Eve without any of the cooking or clean up with JRDN’s festive holiday prime rib dinner. On Christmas Day, gather around the table for a three course festive dinner served from noon-8 p.m. $45-$60 adults, $25 for children under 12. Reservations are recommended. TOWER23, 723 Felspar St. Pacific Beach, 858.280.2323. t23hotel.com
Christmas at Pacifica Del Mar
Dec. 25. Chef Chris Idso offers a special prix-fixe menu complete with stunning ocean views. Start off with chef’s pear endive salad or butternut squash soup with spiced apple crème fraiche. Move on to entrees like free-range turkey, slow cooked Angus prime rib or seared Atlantic sea scallops. Save room for Idso’s Chocolate-pecan tartlet or blackberry sorbet. Noon-9 p.m. $65. 1555 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, 858.792.0476. pacificadelmar.com
Christmas Brunch at The Abbey
Dec. 25. Experience a spectacular holiday buffet complete with all the holiday trimmings at The Abbey. Enjoy an elaborate seasonal brunch buffet, decadent desserts, holiday carolers and background holiday music. Reservations required. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $59 adults; discounts available for seniors, children and military. 2825 Fifth Ave., Bankers Hill, 619.686.8715. hornblower.com
FOOD + DRINK
Holiday Lunch at The Marine Room
Dec. 20-21. Take advantage of the only time of year this San Diego dining institution is open for lunch. The a la carte menu is filled with favorites such as the restaurant’s signature Spindrift Seafood Crepes, Pistachio Crusted Maine Lobster Tail and more. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, 2000 Spindrift Dr., La Jolla, 858.459.7222. marineroom.com
Ugly Sweater Holiday Cocktail Cruise
Dec. 22. Don your ugly holiday sweater aboard the only floating holiday happy hour in San Diego with radio personality guest hosts Tati and Frankie, plus DJ Gigi from Jam’n 95.7. The cruise includes a boarding holiday cocktail, passed and stationary appetizers, and a cash bar with plenty of drink specials. Boarding 6 p.m., cruising 7-9 p.m. $40. Pier 2, 970 N. Harbor Dr., San Diego. hornblower.com
Peppermint Patty Waffle at Cafe 222
Dec. 22-24. Forget cookies and milk, Santa wants these seasonal Peppermint Patty Waffles. Crafted by proprietor Terryl Gavre to brighten up breakfast, the festive double-chocolate waffle is topped with mint whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies. Other popular breakfast selections include the pumpkin waffle and banana bread french toast. $12.25. 7 a.m.-1:45 p.m. 222 Island Ave., downtown, 619.236.9902. cafe222.com
Teddy Bear Tea
Through Dec. 23. Bring the little ones to this long-standing Christmas tradition that culminates with a visit from Santa Claus. Holiday beverages, premium teas, fresh housemade pastries and desserts will be available. Each child will get a one-on-one with Santa and receive a keepsake teddy bear. 2:30-5 p.m. $59 adults, $39 children ages 4-12, free for children 3 and under. The Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Ave., downtown. westgatehotel.com
12 Days of Hoppiness
Through Dec. 24. Join Nason’s Beer Hall for 12 days of daily specials including buy a pretzel, get one free; specially priced pitchers; buy a charcuterie board and get a glass of wine for $1; and more. Friday, select draft pitchers are $19 and Saturday, get $10 flatbreads all day. 570 J St., downtown, 619.738.7060. pendryhotels.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“The Nutcracker”
Through Dec. 23. Channel your inner sugar plum fairy and follow Clara’s magical journey at this elaborate and elegant production of the holiday classic by the San Diego City Ballet. Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown, 619.235.9500. spreckels.net
“Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas”
Through Dec. 29. The perfect holiday tradition for spirited kids young and old, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas is a colorful production of the heartwarming Dr. Seuss classic. See website for show times and ticket prices. Shriley Stage at the Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
Photos: ‘80s Christmas and Ugly Sweater Party courtesy Music Box. Ugly Sweater Holiday Cruise and Christmas Brunch at The Abbey photos courtesy Hornblower Cruises. Chandler’s Christmas Eve Dinner photo courtesy Raluca State. Christmas at Pacifica photo courtesy Nth Element. Christmas Eve and Day at JRDN courtesy Eat. Sleep. Drink. Peppermint Patty Waffle photo courtesy Wicked Creative. Teddy Bear Tea courtesy Westgate Hotel. “The Nutcracker” courtesy Spreckels Theatre. “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” courtesy The Old Globe.
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