Demonstrations, film screenings and holiday outings: Things to do in San Diego Dec. 4-8
This week, San Diegans can make tamales for unhoused community members, see film screenings and flock to Balboa Park for December Nights.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Kate Morrissey
From demonstrations against offshore drilling and immigration arrests to holiday celebrations, here’s what’s happening in San Diego County this week. We also have separate lists of upcoming food distribution events and other holiday season happenings.
Do you know an event we missed? To submit an event for consideration to be added to this list and our community calendar, send us the details in our online form.
Dec. 4
Surfrider Demonstration: The Surfrider Foundation will present at a demonstration against offshore drilling. 6 - 8 p.m., Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Dec. 5
December Nights: San Diego’s annual December Nights holiday festival returns to Balboa Park, featuring global food vendors, live entertainment, holiday lights and family-friendly activities. Forever Balboa Park is looking for volunteers to help out during the festivities. Email volunteer@balboapark.org to sign up. This event tends to draw large crowds so it's best to plan ahead for transportation and parking. Dec. 5: 3 - 11 p.m.; Dec. 6: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
Light Up Logan: The Logan Heights Community Development Corporation is hosting a holiday market, toy giveaway kids crafts, snow, live music and a tree lighting ceremony. Admission is free. Email info@loganheightscdc.org or call 619-858-0563 for more information. 2 - 8 p.m., The Soap Factory, 2995 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
‘The Great Debaters’ Screening: The Black Panther Party of San Diego is hosting a free community movie night showing of “The Great Debaters.” The 2007 film directed by and starring Denzel Washington tells the story of a 1930s debate team at Wiley College, a historically black college. RSVP online. 6 - 8:30 p.m., 6 Hensley St., San Diego, CA 92102
Dec. 6
Watershed Warriors: Casa de Oro - Campo Road Sweep: I Love A Clean San Diego, Casa de Oro Alliance and the County of San Diego are hosting a community cleanup. Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes, closed-toed shoes and some form of sun protection, and bring a water bottle or two. 8 - 10 a.m., 9805 Campo Road, Spring Valley, CA 91977
Tamalada: Volunteers will gather to make tamales to give to unhoused San Diegans. The event will include music and cultural activities, and local leaders will later distribute the tamales. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Joe Balderrama Recreation Center, 709 San Diego St., Oceanside, CA, 92058
Water and Kindness Free Store: Every Saturday, Water and Kindness hosts a free store at Popup Winona where visitors can donate items or get needed supplies. The group is seeking donations of baby formula, bags, blankets, diapers, first aid items, harm reduction supplies, hats, gloves, hygiene products, mobility aids, rolling carts or wagons, shoes, sleeping bags, socks, tarps, tents, undergarments and water. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., 4951 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, California, 92115
Free Clothing and Toy Swap: The La Mesa Library is hosting a free clothing and toy swap. Donations should be gently used with no odors, stains or rips, and limited to no more than one grocery bag. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., La Mesa Library, 8074 Allison Ave., La Mesa, CA, 91942
Toys & Joy: Roosevelt Williams III, Feeding San Diego, InspireSD and Greene Cat Liquors are giving away free toys and food to 400 families. Packages will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis, but online registration is recommended. Anyone interested in supporting the program can make donations online. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Greene Cat Liquors, 5102 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Peace Vigil for Palestine: CODEPINK San Diego, Palestine Pals and other local activism groups host a weekly peace vigil to advocate for peace in Gaza and beyond every Saturday in Ocean Beach. The group invites attendees to wear pink and bring peace-themed posters. For more information, email sandiego@codepink.org. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
Grinchmas in the Alley: Creative Collective is hosting a holiday food drive to support the local community with the North County LGBTQ Resource Center. The event will include more than 30 vendors, live mural art, music and a food drive. Bring two food items (food, hygiene products or baby items) to receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two gift baskets. 12 - 5 p.m., 212 Artist Alley, Oceanside, CA 92054
Winter Gathering: The San Diego American Indian Health Center is hosting a gathering with traditional food, music, kid's activities and prizes. People are requested to bring side dishes, and donated sliced turkey and ham are also welcomed. Noon - 3 p.m., 2660 First Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
Party For the Planet: San Diego 360 is hosting a party to celebrate new and existing volunteers. 1 - 3:30 p.m., Morley Field, 2601 Jacaranda Place, San Diego, CA 92104
Welcome to Whoville: The National City Public Library is hosting a holiday event, including visits with Santa Claus, raffles, free books, crafts and live music. 1 - 3 p.m., National City Public Library, 1401 National City Blvd., National City, CA 91950
Reimagining Refuge: Theater group IMAGINE, in partnership with the UCSD Center for Comparative Immigration Studies, Majdal Arab Center and the Chrysalis: Monarch's Center for the Arts, is hosting a community dialogue about refuge that will include live performance, art installations and music. Ticket pricing is flexible, and all of the proceeds go to the performing artists. 4 - 6 p.m., 1805 Main St., San Diego, CA 92113
Dec. 7
Lowtide Holiday Market: Lowtide is hosting a holiday market featuring vintage items, ceramics, art, live upcycling and a food drive. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 980 Hornblend St., San Diego, CA, 92109
The Mudd House Holiday Market: The Mudd House is hosting a holiday market where shoppers can find ceramics, prints, jewelry and other crafts made by local artists. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 802 N Coast Highway 101, Encinitas, CA, 92024
Santa's Sip & Shop Holiday Market: Viridian Productions is hosting a holiday market with local makers and a visit from Santa Claus at Local Roots Boochyard in Vista. Noon - 4 p.m., 1430 Vantage Court, Suite 101, Vista, CA 92081
Cumbia Holiday Market: Mujeres Brew House is hosting a holiday market that will feature cumbia music, food, vendors, raffles and craft beer. The event is all ages and pet-friendly. Noon - 6 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA, 92113
Occupy Otay Demonstration: Demonstrators gather every Sunday on the sidewalk outside Otay Mesa Detention Center to protest the Trump administration's increase in arrests and detentions related to immigration enforcement. 2 - 4 p.m., 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA, 92154
Dec. 8
Swing Dance Under the Dome: The San Diego Central Library is hosting a free swing dance lesson under the dome on the rooftop at 6 p.m., followed by open social dancing. 6 to 7:45 p.m., Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
