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By Miriam Raftery
November 29, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – There’s a dazzling array of holiday events coming up across our inland region--including synchronized light shows at Camp Christmas in Pine Valley, North Pole Limited Train Rides at the Campo depot, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, a holiday bonfire in Lemon Grove, holiday lights on Main in El Cajon, a Snow Day at Lindo Lakes in Lakeside, a Christmas Market in Crest, caroling on Broadway in Lemon Grove, Christmas on Mt Helix, and the German-American Societies Christmas in El Cajon.
Scroll down for full details on these festive events.
DANCING LIGHTS, TALKING TREES AND A LIGHT SHOW AT CAMP CHRISTMAS
Camp Christmas in Pine Valley is back, with dazzling lighting displays and more from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1, Dec. 6-8, and Dec. 13-22. Visitors will see thousands of computerized lights strung on trees and a spectacular water show, both synchronized to holiday music.
There’s also hayrides, a bounce house,laser tag, archery, food, live entertainment, and a talking Christmas tree, a Nativity presentation, Camp Christmas train rides, a children’s playground, climbing wall, face painting, gift shop, and more.
Food options include a buffet, barbecue dinners, snack bar, sweet treats, and more.
For reservations and details, visit https://pinevalleycampchristmas.com/
NORTH POLE LIMITED TRAIN RIDES BEGIN NOV. 29
The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season Fridays and Saturdays, November 29th through December 21st at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum’s Campo Depot. Trains depart Fridays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Arrive at least 30 minutes early to receive your tickets, explore our holiday gift shop, and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Once onboard the North Pole Limited, a jolly elf crew will entertain you with holiday sing-alongs, festive stories, and delicious hot chocolate and cookies. As the train winds through the breathtaking backcountry, keep your eyes peeled for the North Pole, where the train will pick up Santa and his lovely Mrs. Claus! Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with every passenger on the train as the 90 minute ride returns to the Campo Depot.
For tickets, which sell out early for the North Pole Limited, visit https://www.psrm.org.
COUNTRY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING NOV. 30 IN JULIAN
Julian holds its annual Country Christmas Tree Lighting celebration on November 30 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. at the Julian Town Square. The event features craft booths, vendors, live music all day, a Christmas market, tree-lighting and Santa Claus meet-and-greet starting at 6 p.m.
For details, visit the Julian Country Christmas page on Facebook or https://www.visitjulian.com(link is external) .
HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON MAIN IN EL CAJON NOV. 30
Kick off the holiday season at El Cajon's Holiday Lights on Main, hosted by the downtown businesses on Saturday, November 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., featuring festive fun for the whole family with amusement rides, an ice skating rink, a cookie decorating station, live music, and photos with Santa in the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott.
For details, visit https://www.downtownelcajon.com(link is external)
LEMON GROVE HOLIDAY BONFIRE DECEMBER 6
Lemon Grove invites you to the city’s annual community bonfire on Friday, December 6 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Treganza Heritage Park, 3200 Main St. in Lemon Grove.
Enjoy visits with Santa, music with a live band, a game truck, crafts, inflatables, free cookies, hot chocolate and popcorn, more foods for purchase, welcoming remarks from the mayor, an ugly sweater contest and more.
SNOW DAY AT LINDO LAKES DEC. 6
Even sunny San Diego can get snow with the assistance of modern technology. You’re invited to Snow Day at Lindo Lake on December 6 from 2 to 5 p.m., as the County turns this popular park into a family-friendly winter wonderland with fresh snow for sledding and snow play.
You can also enjoy games, giveaways, and photos with Santa. The event will take place at the ballfield at Lindo Lakes, 12660 Lindo Lane in Lakeside.
For more information call 619-443-9176 or visit sdparks.org
CHRISTMAS ON MT. HELIX DEC. 7
On December 7 from 3 to 8 p.m., the Mt. Helix Park will transform into a winter wonderland. This festive night features a Christmas market with crafts, local vendors, food and beverages, kids’ crafts, a caroling sing-along, and more. Free shuttles are available to the public at Grossmont High School’s lower parking lot.
Santa will be present from 3 to 6 p.m., followed by the sing-along from 6 to 8 p.m. with the Christmas Rock N Roll band and Kindred Spirits.
SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS ON MAINE DEC. 7 IN LAKESIDE
Lakeside’s 26th annual Spirit of Christmas on Maine Avenue will be held December 7 from 3 to 7:30 p.m., with Santa arriving at 430 and a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. at the Olde Presbyterian Church, now the Lakeside Historical Society.
Santa and theLakeside Chamber of Conmerce invite you to enjoy an old-fashioned hometown celebration including shopping, children’s activities, treats, local youth performances, a classic car show, and a mailbox for the North Pole. Parking is available at the El Capitan Stadium Association's Lakeside Arena. For more information, visit https://lakesidechamber.org/spirit-of-christmas.
CREST CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR DEC. 8
The reindeer are taking a day off on Sunday, December 8, when Santa will arrive at the Crest Christmas Craft Faire aboard a fire truck!
Santa arrives at 4 p.m. and will visit with children until 6 p.m. The Craft Faire begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. with unique crafts, vendors, raffle baskets, musical entertainment, food, and photo opportunities.
The event will be held at the Crest Clubhouse, 113 North Park Drive, in the Crest community of El Cajon.
CHRISTMAS AT THE GERMAN-AMERICAN SOCIETIES IN EL CAJON DEC. 7-8
The German-American Societies of San Diego and Dia Rasselbande Preschool invite you to a traditional Christmas Market. This festive event features shopping for handmade gifts, delicious German dishes, holiday beer and Glühwein, choral performances, kids’ activities, and photos with Santa.
This festive event will be held at the German American Societies’ headquarters at 1017 S. Mollison Avenue in El Cajon on Saturday, December 7 from 2 to 7 p.m. and again on Sunday, December 8 from 2 to 6 p.m.
Find more information at https://www.germanclubsandiego.org/
LA MESA HOLIDAY IN THE VILLAGE DEC. 14
The La Mesa Holiday in the Village is an event open to the community featuring live music, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, holiday photo opportunities including selfies with Santa, and a kids’ area bigger than Santa’s Toy Shop. The festivities take place on Saturday, December 14 from 12 noon to 9 p.m. along La Mesa Boulevard between Spring Street an 4th Street.
Visitors can walk the streets of La Mesa’s historic downtown village while exploring dozens of local craft vendor stands, then cozy up with artisan and craft food and snack specialties. Friends and family can relax by the fire pits while enjoying holiday caroling, cheerful holiday music, and fun live entertainment from local schools, clubs and more.
For full information and a schedule of events, visit http://www.lamesavillageassociation.org
CAROLING ON BROADWAY: DEC. 13 AND 21 IN LEMON GROVE
‘Tis the season to be jolly – so Revitalize Broadway invites singers (no experience required) to join in spreading some holiday cheer. Caroling on Broadway in Lemon Grove will take place Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 21.
Meet at the Lemon Grove Promenade at 5:30 p.m. for caroling down Broadway, which will begin at 6 p.m. Song packets will be provided.
You can suggest a song using the QR code in the flyer and email revitalizebroadway@gmail.com with questions.
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