Holiday markets, art events and conversations: Things to do in San Diego Dec. 12-16
This week, San Diegans can participate in a baked goods exchange and community festivals, attend art exhibitions and pick up free items at no-cost markets.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Sam Barney-Gibbs and Kate Morrissey
This week, San Diego has more winter holiday festivals, a yarn art workshop, no-cost food and clothing opportunities and a conversation on the history of deportation. 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. 12
Día de la Virgen: Por La Mano Press Y Arte is holding its seventh annual Día de la Virgen Night Market and Celebration commemorating Madrecita Tonantzin Guadalupe with a community altar. The event will have a mariachi band, a posada piñata, a mini art show, vendors, food and performances. 4 - 10 p.m., 1983 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Plaza Central Holiday Bazaar: Vendors will offer food, artisan gifts and live music at the Civic Center Plaza. Food carts, creators/makers and volunteers are currently being accepted. Scan the QR code on the post to join. 4 - 7:30 p.m., 1200 Third Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Winter Fest: The Spring Valley Community Center is hosting Winter Fest, a free family event including a night of games, arts and crafts to celebrate the holidays. For more information, call the County of San Diego's Parks and Recreation at 619-479-1832. 4 - 7 p.m., Spring Valley Community Center, 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley, CA 91977
Towards a Queer Historiography: Photographic Practices and the Archive: San Diego City College History of Photography students are hosting an exhibit recreating and reinterpreting moments from LGBTQ+ history based on collections from the Lambda Archives of San Diego. 5 - 7 p.m., San Diego Pride Office, 3620 30th St., San Diego, CA 92104
Sticky & Tipsy: CraftedbyT Studio is teaching a yarn art workshop with wine at The Block Club. Tickets are $45 and include all materials (yarn, glue and canvas), step-by-step instruction and a glass of wine. Reserve tickets online. 6 - 9 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Black Nativity: Common Ground Theatre's production of “Black Nativity: The Promise, The Praise, The People” will hit the stage for just four performances. This reimagining of Langston Hughes' classic is directed by Yolanda Marie Franklin featuring the gospel sound of Eddie Baltrip and Fulfillment. Dec. 12 at 6 p.m., Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and Dec. 14 at 3 p.m., Morse High School (New Theater), 6905 Skyline Drive, San Diego, CA 92114
The Fannie Lou Hamer Legacy Celebration: Project New Village is hosting a fundraiser party to support food sovereignty in the greater Southeast San Diego region. 6 - 8 p.m., San Diego City College, A-Terrace, 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Black Trans & Nonbinary Community Group: The San Diego LGBT Community Center is hosting a space for Black trans, gender nonbinary and gender non-conforming folks to receive and provide peer support through discussion. The group meets in person the first and third Fridays of each month. 6:15-7:45 p.m., 3909 Centre St., San Diego, CA 92103
Rocky Horror Picture Show: Crazed Imaginations hosts a screening and shadowcast performance of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" at the La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas on the second, fourth and fifth Fridays of each month. The second Friday performance is lingerie night, and fifth Friday shows have a special mashup theme. Tickets can be reserved online and prop bags can be purchased at the theater for $5. 10:30 p.m., La Paloma Theatre, 471 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas, CA 92024
Dec. 13
Maker's Arcade Holiday Fair: The San Diego Made Factory is hosting a two-day maker's market featuring more than 140 local makers, live music, food trucks, photo booths, make-and-take craft stations, cocktail and mocktail bars, interactive art and play areas. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Broadway Pier, 1000 N Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92132
Mission Bay Beach Club Holiday Market: Mission Bay Beach Club is hosting a free artisan market featuring Santa and live jazz. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mission Bay Beach Club, 2688 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
Green Corridor Holiday: Mundo Gardens, Urban Collaborative Project CDC, Vision Culture Foundation, Elementary Institute of Science and Tree San Diego are hosting a holiday celebration in the Southeast San Diego/National City Green Corridor community. The event features hot cocoa, arts and crafts, holiday music and a toy giveaway. 9 a.m. - Noon, Palm Ave. and Division St., National City, CA 91950
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
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. - Noon, Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
Kinfolk Holiday Market: SD Melanin is hosting a festive market featuring Black-owned vendors, pictures with Black Santa and holiday crafts. The organization is still accepting vendors. Tickets are $7, and children 10 and under are free. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 4999 Holly Drive, San Diego, CA 92113
Painting in Sidro: PANCA, who currently has an exhibition at The Front Arte Cultura, will provide art tips and company to create art. The venue asks attendees to bring art-making materials. Free snacks and drinks will be provided. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., 147 W San Ysidro Blvd., San Diego, CA 92173
Barrio Logan Snow Day y Mercado: The Barrio Logan Association is hosting a market with real snow, food, a toy giveaway and an appearance from Santa Claus. Noon - 6 p.m., Mercado del Barrio, 1101 Cesar E. Chavez Parkway, San Diego, CA 92113
Winter Extravaganza: The City Heights Community Development Corporation is hosting a winter celebration with activities, games, snow, entertainment and vendors. Parking will be available at Metro Villas Apartments. Noon - 5 p.m., Teralta Park, 4100 Central Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Winter Fair at North Park Vegan Market: Viridian Productions presents a winter fair-themed North Park Vegan Market with a Santa photo booth and seasonal food and beverages. Noon - 4 p.m., North Park Mini Park, 3812 29th St., San Diego, CA, 92104
Dark X-Mas Market of Vista: The fourth annual Dark X-Mas Market of Vista will be held in Downtown Vista. Celebrating ancient winter folklore, there will be food, live entertainment, dark fantasy artists and makers, a contest for best Krampus Horns and a stein-holding contest. RSVP is free. 4 - 8:30 p.m., 110 Citrus Ave., Vista, CA 92084
Prophecy Opening Reception: “Prophecy: Joy Futurism in a World Renewing” — a one-week art exhibition — is opening with a reception including cacao, food and time to mingle with the artists and other attendees. Admission is free, but RSVP here to reserve a meal and drink. 4:30 - 8 p.m., 147 W San Ysidro Blvd., San Diego, CA 92173
Winter Walk: University Heights is hosting its first ever winter walk, a night of open houses, treats and holiday cheer along Park Boulevard. 5 - 9 p.m. University Heights, San Diego, CA 92116
Caroling in the Heights: The University Heights Community Association is leading its annual evening of caroling. Carolers will sing holiday songs and share treats starting at 5 p.m. at the Big Front Door, make their way to the Vermont Street Bridge at 5:45 p.m. and end at Pemberley Realty at 6:30 p.m. 5 - 7 p.m., Big Front Door, 4075 Park Blvd. #101, San Diego, CA 92103
The Suite Escape : Mixed Grounds is hosting a night of music featuring DJs, food, coffee and conversation. The event is meant to serve as a safe space for fun and creativity for all ages, give featured DJs an open space to play what they choose and to meet new people. This event is free and open to all ages. 6 - 10 p.m., Mixed Grounds, 4555 30th St., San Diego, CA 92116
Where Does Deportation Come From?: Zócalo Public Square, MacArthur Foundation, Times of San Diego and Bread & Salt are hosting a conversation on deportation with Kelly Lytle Hernández and Alex Rivera. RSVP online. 6 - 8 p.m., Bread & Salt, 1955 Julian Ave., San Diego, CA 92113
Dec. 14
Feeding Daygo Holiday Mutual Aid Mall: Feeding Daygo is providing a space to donate supplies, volunteer time or collect free necessary goods. Free clothes, toys, groceries and hygiene supplies will be offered while supplies last. Kids can also meet Santa and the Grinch. 9 a.m. - Noon, 2995 Commercial St, San Diego, CA 92113
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego Winter Market: The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is hosting a free market featuring live vinyl DJs. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., 700 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
South Park Shop Local: Artisans at a monthly makers market will offer crafted items like candles, planters and jewelry at Wicked Fit in South Park. Noon - 4 p.m., 1504 30th St., San Diego, CA 92102
Sweet Swap: Lets Go Girls is hosting a gathering where bakers can bring sweet treats to swap. Noon - 3 p.m., New Motion Beverages, 8655 Production Ave. Suite A, San Diego, CA, 92121
ReGiftmas: SD350 North County is hosting its second annual ReGiftmas. Bring new or gently used items from home to donate. Gifts cost $2 each and proceeds go to sustainability projects. There will also be cookies and cocoa. Register online. Noon - 2 p.m., Pilgrim Church, 2020 Chestnut Ave., Carlsbad, California 92008
Oh What Fun in Sherman Heights: Mid-City CAN is partnering with the Sherman Heights Community Center to host a holiday celebration. The event will include creative projects with Sew Loka (Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski). 1 - 4 p.m., Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92102
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
The 55th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: About 80 boats decked out in holiday lights will parade along the San Diego Bay on Dec. 14 and 21. The route starts in Shelter Island and ends at the Ferry Landing on Coronado Island. Email sdparadeoflights@gmail.com with any questions. 5:30 - 8 p.m., San Diego Bay, visible from multiple locations (See map and schedule)
Dec. 15
Trans-Inclusive Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Training: This free training educates attendees about preventing intimate partner violence through awareness, stigma reduction and strengthening affirming support. A Q&A will follow the training. Register online. 7 - 9 p.m., virtual
Dec. 16
LGBTQ+ Professionals Holiday Mixer: Pride Point Network is hosting a mixer for queer professionals in San Diego. Guests can sip on wine and make floral bouquets. RSVP online. 6 - 9 p.m., 1035 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
