The 36th annual Carlsbad Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is back on Jan. 18. Races will start at The Shoppes at Carlsbad from 6:15 to 7:45 a.m. The marathon route features an 18-mile stretch along the ocean, the half-marathon will showcase the beachfront for 8 miles and the 5K will take runners along a scenic out-and-back route passing the Buena Vista Lagoon. There will also be a Double-Down Challenge combining the half-marathon and 5K for a 16-mile run. The event will also include a variety of participant perks. The Finish Line Festival will be from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at The Shoppes at Carlsbad with festivities including live music, refreshments and a beer garden. The expo and packet pickup are from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 16 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 17 at Holiday Inn Carlsbad/San Diego, 2725 Palomar Airport Road. Visit inmotionevents.com/event/carlsbad-marathon.
Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be offered through Jan. 4 at Legoland California, One Legoland Drive. Throughout the holidays, the park’s 30-foot Lego tree will be decorated with lights and Lego ornaments; it is built out of more than 350,000 Lego and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive Lego models or costumed characters such as a Lego Santa, a toy soldier, a gingerbread man and elf characters. The annual Kids’ New Year’s Eve Party is Dec. 31. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. Visit legoland.com/california.
San Diego Jewish Academy will host a Middle & High School Expo on Jan. 11, which will spotlight new learning opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology. Courses include “Ideas to Products,” an introduction to business and entrepreneurship. One example of student innovation is a “Sip Smart” wearable device to help young people protect themselves in social settings against drugging and sexual assault. Competition opportunities include First Tech Challenge SDJA Robotics Team and Cadena Humanitarian Challenge. The festival-style event will showcase innovation, creativity, and the San Diego Jewish Academy experience. Registration and details are at sdja.com/admissions/schedule-a-tour.
Chula Vista Animal Services started a new “Home for the Holidays” foster program, where community members can foster a long-term shelter dog into their homes for one week this holiday season. The social experience often makes the pet more adoptable and increases chances of being adopted. The shelter will help match participants with a dog that fits their lifestyle and provide the necessary supplies, including food, materials and ongoing support. The program runs through the holiday season. Dogs can be picked up at Chula Vista Animal Services, 130 Beyer Way. Visit chulavistaca.gov/departments/animal-care/foster.
Seaside Center for Spiritual Living’s 24th annual New Year’s Eve Ceremony for the community is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at 1613 Lake Drive. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. The event also can be accessed via Zoom; registration is appreciated but not required at seaside.breezechms.com/form/NewYearWaterCeremony2025.
Lightscape runs through Jan. 4 at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive. The immersive experience guides visitors through a 1-mile garden trail with tunnels of lights featuring light installations designed by international artists. Installations range from California poppies and a field of fireflies to a laser garden. There will be seasonal treats. Tickets start at $28; $18 for children. Visit sdbg.org.
Brock’s Community Pet Food Bank at Rancho Coastal Humane Society is open from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 3 and Saturdays at 389 Requeza St. The food bank provides food and other supplies for the pets of senior citizens, low-income families, people with disabilities or terminal illnesses, veterans and homeless community members. For information on donating, call 760-753-6413 or visit sdpets.org.
The Veterinary Care Assistance Program for Seniors at Rancho Coastal Humane Society provides financial assistance, resources and support to senior pet parents (60 years and older) facing economic hardship in providing veterinary care for their pets. Expenses include quality of life medical issues. Applicants must be on a fixed or limited income. Financial documentation and a written estimate and treatment plan from an accredited San Diego County veterinarian is required. For more information, call 760-579-2426 or visit sdpets.org.
Wild Holidays festivities are on select nights until 8 p.m. through Jan. 4 at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road. Entertainment includes the “Light Up the Holidays” choreographed lighted tree show, Bridge of Lights, Enchanted Lagoon and visits with Santa along with Holiday Troubadour, Forest of Color and Nairobi Lantern Walk. Wild Holidays activities are free with Safari Park admission or membership. Visit sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays.
The Senior Service Council of Escondido is looking for volunteer tech tutors, tax preparers and receptionists. Tech tutors help seniors with technology, including computers, laptops and smartphones, during one-hour sessions at the council’s computer lab on a flexible schedule. Tax preparers for low-income seniors are needed from February to April; training provided. Receptionists work three hours per week answering phones, scheduling appointments and helping seniors. Since 1972, the council has assisted local seniors. Call 760-480-0611, email [email protected] or visit escondido-senior-services.org.
The Senior Service Council of Escondido offers free income tax preparation for simple 1040 and 540 tax returns prepared and filed by IRS-trained volunteers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays from Feb. 1 to April 15 at 728 N. Broadway. Make an appointment at 760-480-0611 or visit supersaas.com/schedule/SSCE_tax_prep/SSCE_tax_appt.
St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, a nonprofit that educates community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities, will host its 13th annual Tea by the Sea event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at the oceanfront Marine Room, 2000 Spindrift Drive. The traditional tea service will also include signature cocktails, bites and hors d’oeuvres, live music, an opportunity drawing and shopping from Sophie’s Gallery. Wear your favorite tea-time attire. Proceeds benefit the Sophie’s Gallery and Art Program in downtown El Cajon, where adults with disabilities explore their creativity. Tickets are available starting at $170. Visit teabythesea.org.
The annual Winter Wonderland at Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd., runs through Jan. 4 with hundreds of twinkling lights, carolers, holiday-themed treats and drinks and special events on weekends. Attractions include the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Peppermint Putt Putt at Tiki Wonderland and Candy Cane Lanes Go Karts and and Polar Plunge. Tickets and passes are at belmontpark.com.
The Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association and Cleveland National Forest, Descanso District, seek adult volunteers who love the outdoors to help out in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Volunteers are needed to lead guided hikes and help with campground programs, trail maintenance and the visitor center, and serve as trail ambassadors. On-the-job training is provided. An informational session is from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Red-tailed Roost, 10385 Sunrise Highway, Mount Laguna. Snacks, drinks and materials will be provided. Registered participants will be notified of alternative plans if there is bad weather. Register at [email protected].
The Poway Interfaith Team will partner with Palomar Health to distribute 500 stuffed animals Jan. 5 to patients at Palomar Medical Center Escondido, Escondido Rehabilitation Institute, Pomerado Hospital in Poway and the Palomar Villas in Poway as part of the third annual “Gift of Love Day.” Community members can donate new stuffed animals with their tags and deliver them by Jan. 1 to Palomar Medical Center Escondido, 2185 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, with a note “To Frank Safranek Supervisor Volunteer Services Gift of Love Day.” For questions, email [email protected].
The North County Widows and Widowers Club holds a number of events in January:
To RSVP or get information, call 760-716-9000.
David Winston will perform his “Mind-to-Mind” show, which combines ESP, telepathy and audience participation, at the Rancho Bernardo Woman’s Club luncheon Jan. 9 at Maderas Golf Club, 17750 Old Coach Road. Social hour begins at 11 a.m. with lunch served at noon. Cost is $42, payable via check or cash at check-in. Guests are welcome. RSVP by 5 p.m. Jan. 2 at 858-521-8790.
A Christmas carol singalong is at 10 a.m. Dec. 28 with the youth group playing ukuleles during the worship service at Incarnation Lutheran Church, 16889 Espola Road. Visit godamong.us.
The Inland North County Parkinson’s Support Group for people with Parkinson’s disease and their care partners meets from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 5 at San Rafael Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, in the Parish Hall. The featured speaker is Sheila Coulbourn, who will talk about “Brain Healthy Living.” Discussion sessions will follow. Call 760-749-8234 or 760-518-1963.
The American Red Cross holds a blood drive from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 30 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 10125 Azuaga St. There will be free snacks and long-sleeved ARC T-shirts for donors. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be made at 1-800-RED-CROSS or redcrossblood.org. For donor guidelines, call 866-236-3276.
The 30th annual Port of San Diego Game Day 5K Run/Walk is slated to start at 9:45 a.m. Jan. 2, taking place along the bayfront, beginning at Harbor Drive and Ash Street. The 5K kicks off the 46th annual Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, featuring marching bands, floats, drill teams and a procession of huge themed-balloons at 10 a.m. Jan. 2 on North Harbor Drive along downtown San Diego’s waterfront. Street-side viewing of the parade is free. Grandstand tickets are $30. The Holiday Bowl game is at 5 p.m. Jan. 2 at Snapdragon Stadium. Visit holidaybowl.com.
Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tour runs through Dec. 30 (except Dec. 25) with a mix of sightseeing, holiday singalongs and a 90-minute trip from the Old Town Market, 4010 Twiggs St., through festively decorated neighborhoods, including Old Town, Bankers Hill, Little Italy and Garrison Street. Reservations are required at trolleytours.com/san-diego/holiday-tour-tickets.
The USS Midway Museum is decked with more than a million lights as part of its Jingle Jets holiday light show and festivities from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on select nights to Dec. 30. Highlights include Holiday Dancing Light Show, Midway’s Magical Penguin Search, Christmas Carol Karaoke, Bring Your Dog Night, Santa’s Christmas Rush Virtual Reality Ride and expanded Reindeer Games, among other festivities. Holiday eats and treats will be sold. Tickets are $20-$30 and sold only online; discounts for museum members; free for children 3 and younger. Visit midway.org/event/jingle-jets-2025.
The Rady Children’s Ice Rink in the Central Promenade at Arts District Liberty Station is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 4, with modified hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $15-$25 and raise money for the Thriving After Cancer Program at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego. Visit rchicerink.org.
The San Diego Zoo’s annual Jungle Bells holiday event runs through Jan. 4 at the zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive. Jungle Bells features a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, music and views of wildlife, along with a magic of Aurora immersive performance about the power of nature with 3D projection mapping, music and lights. Highlights featured at various times include Reindeer Games, Jingle Brass concerts and Holiday Troubadour along with Northern Frontier’s Holiday Forest, Zoo characters, snow and a visit with Santa. There will be food, drinks, and shopping for gifts. The zoo is open late from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this event. Free with zoo admission or membership; parking is free. Visit sandiegozoo.org/junglebells.
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration runs daily through Jan. 4 with live musical shows, faux snowfall, over a million lights, Santa and real reindeer, singing elves and the SkyTower decorated as San Diego’s largest Christmas tree along with festive food and beverages. There is a new Clyde & Seamore’s Christmas Special at Sea Lion Stadium and a Mrs. Claus story time show. All are included with park admission. Tickets start at $62.99, depending on the date. Visit seaworldsandiego.com.
Campland on the Bay, a waterfront family campground on Mission Bay, is celebrating the season with daily recreation and holiday-themed activities for registered guests throughout December. Programs include arts and crafts, dodgeball, pickleball, Candy Bar Bingo, treasure hunts and sports tournaments. Campland will also host a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration for overnight guests featuring a DJ dance party. Visit campland.com/things-to-do.
The Navajo Canyon Club of the Republican Women of California will meet from 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at The Legacy Hotel, 875 Hotel Circle South. The featured speaker will be Tom del Beccaro, who will discuss updates on the status of CA Voter ID and offer insights on other timely topics. Santee City Councilmember Laura Koval will discuss her work with the San Diego Republican Party, current Santee politics and her leadership role with Santee Lakes. Register by noon Jan. 8 at rwcnavajocanyon.org.
The city of Santee hosts a free guided nature walk from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 10 at Walker Preserve. Participants meet at the Santee Historical Society, 9200 Magnolia Ave., before heading out on the educational trail walk. This walk is open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit cityofsanteeca.gov.
A free, family-friendly event to learn about the environment and plant a tree alongside city staff and fellow community members, is from 9 to 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, hosted by the city of Santee. The San Diego River Park Foundation will be hosting a concurrent event, “Rollin With The River,” from 9 to 11 a.m. where participants can explore the San Diego River Trail during this rolling tour while they learn about the flora and fauna in the area. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit cityofsanteeca.gov.
The Solana Sliders, a walking group for ages 55 and older, meets at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 5 for a guided walk led by a San Elijo Lagoon Park Ranger. Participants meet at the Annie’s Canyon trailhead on Solana Hills Drive at the lower entrance (paved path). For questions, call 858-720-2454 or email recreation program coordinator at [email protected].
Read more on San Diego Union-Tribune
