Feeling the turkey (and leftover) coma already? There’s options to be active ahead of the gorge, of course. And as this Sunday we turn the page and arrive at December (!), the holiday rush is on as of this San Diego weekend.
Get a little run or walk in at one of the many Turkey Trots on tap early Thursday:
- Oceanside – The O’side Turkey Trot features races for all ages and skill levels, starting at the Civic Center and finishing at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheater. Choose from two start times – 6:45 and 8:05 a.m.
- Balboa Park – the 5K, for Father Joe’s Villages, kicks off at 7:15 a.m. Don a turkey-themed costume, hit the course, then enjoy post-race festivities at the Plaza de Panama, including live music, a beer garden and a pop-up thrift store. Santa and other characters appear for the kids.
- Encinitas – This one includes a 10K for the extra ambitious. That race starts at 7:30 a.m., followed by a 5k at 8 a.m. Try the costume contest and children’s race too, at South Coast Highway 101 and West D Street.
- Coronado – The 8 a.m. 5K at Tidelands Park welcomes runners and walkers of all ages on a course along San Diego Bay.
Black Friday is the thing for major retailers but Small Business Saturday is a tradition that’s taken hold. Show your support in North Park where Shop Local Saturday includes a 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. and free yoga at North Park Mini Park at 11:30 a.m. Deals, scavenger hunts and pop-ups will abound. In Ocean Beach, shop in the community and play OBeachy Bingo to win gift cards and OB merch.
We hate to remind you, but Thanksgiving was late this year, so you have less time to shop and the holidays start in earnest, believe it or not, NOW. Yultide celebrations up this weekend:
- Liberty Station –The Tree Lighting & Holiday Festivities take place in the North Promenade and Building 177 from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday with fire truck rides and a showing of The Grinch.
- Julian – The Country Christmas Tree Lighting begins with music and vendors at noon, Santa’s arrival at 6 p.m. Saturday, then the tree lighting on Washington Street.
- Seaport Village – Surfin’ Santa arrives at noon Saturday to lead a parade from the boardwalk to the fountain courtyard. There even will be “snow” at Malibu Farm.
- East Village – The Tree Lighting & Holiday Market begins at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Quartyard with shopping, live entertainment, food and drinks and activities for children. The lighting follows at 6:45 p.m.
- La Jolla – The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) hosts the Winter MKT, a fusion of music, merchandise, and contemporary art, starting at 11 a.m. Sunday. The market is free and museum admission is half off for the fest.
- Chula Vista – a tree lighting event begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, with the Downtown Chula Vista Farmers Market open for extended hours to offer drinks, bites and holiday shopping. The lighting ceremony starts at 5:45 p.m. at Memorial Park.
- Ocean Beach – (post-weekend extra) The OB Holiday Tree, donated by a local neighbor. arrives on the beach Tuesday at the corner of Newport Avenue and Abbott Street.
And carols! We have those too, both at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, depending on your style. Broadway fan? Leslie Odom Jr., Tony winner for Hamilton, is for you, as he brings his “Christmas Tour” to the re-fashioned Jacobs Center. Tickets start at $72. Slide east to the Balboa Theatre where Big Bad Voodoo Daddy throws their “Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party.” Admission starts at $54.