DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: NOTABLE NOVEMBER EVENTS

By Miriam Raftery

October 27, 2024 (Ramona) – Notable November events are coming up –including the Ramona Art and Wine Fest, Valor Awards for Veterans, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, East County Magazine’s Roaring ‘20s party at La Mesa Wine Works, the Romeros Spanish guitar concert, comedy night at Sycuan, Santee’s tree lighting and sledding, North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, a country tree lighting in Julian, and Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon.

RAMONA ART AND WINE FEST NOV. 2

The Ramona Art, Wine & Music festival takes place November 2^nd at Begent Ranch in Ramona. All proceeds from the festival go to support the nonprofit Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project.

The festival features wines from local winemakers, foods from local caterers and food trucks, artisans, vendors, and an auction.

For tickets and details, visit https://ramonaartandwinefest.net

VALOR AWARDS FOR VETERANS NOV. 14

The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Valor Awards luncheon honoring local veterans. The event will be held at the Jamul Casino’s Rooftop Venue on November 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

For tickets, visit https://www.eastcountychamber.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 4^th 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.

ROARING ‘20s PARTY TO BENEFIT EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE NOV. 17

East County Magazine invites you to a Roaring ‘20s party on November 17 at 6 p.m. at La Mesa Wine Works. Advance registration is required and early-bird rates are available through November 2.

Don your best flapper, Gatsby, gangster or cocktail attire to enjoy an evening that harkens back to the era of speakeasies and the Jazz Age. Savor award-winning wines, a feast from Cupid’s Catering, live jazz music by the Joseph Luna duo, and a raffle with wonderful prizes—all to benefit local nonprofit award-winning journalism

For tickets and details, visit www.EastCountyMagazine.org .

ROMEROS SPANISH GUITAR CONCERT NOV. 17

The Poway Symphony Orchestra will open its 21st concert season with “A Trip to Spain with The Romeros,” presenting a program of lively Spanish-inspired music and featuring the world-renowned Romeros guitar quartet. The concert will take place on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. at the Poway Center for Performing Arts.

 The Romeros will be joining the Poway Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto Andaluz for four guitars and orchestra. The concerto was written in 1967 specifically for the Romeros. The concert, will also include Hector Berlioz’s vibrant and adventurous Le Corsaire Overture and Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suites 1 and 2. 

For tickets and more information, visit https://www.powaysymphonyorchestra.org/.

SYCUANHAHA COMEDY NIGHT NOVEMBER 21

Sycuan Casino offers SycuanHaha, a night of comedy on November 21 at 7:30 p.m.  This event is first-come,first-serve with no admission fee, open to everyone age 21 and up at the west end of the casino.

Comedians featured include Mia Jackson, a stand-up comic who opened for  Amy Schumer’s national tour and has hosted comedy specials on MGM+ and Comedy Central.  Also performing is Brian King, a stand-up comedian from Atlanta, Georgia who regularly performs at venues in Georgia and at comedy festivals.

For details,visit https://www.sycuan.com/events.

SANTEE TREE LIGHITNG NOVEMBER 22

Santee hosts its holiday tree lighting on Friday, November 22 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Santee Trolley Square (9884 Mission Gorge Rd., Santee)

This event features sledding, live music, face painting and photos with Santa. The tree-lighting takes place at 6:15 p.m.

Find full details at https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/calendar/events/santee-holiday-lighting/45618 .

NORTH POLE LIMITED TRAIN RIDES BEGIN NOV. 29

The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season Fridays and Saturdays, November 29^th through December 21^st 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 .

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

PREVIEW OF DECEMBER EVENTS (More coming soon!)

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

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 4^th 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.

SAN DIEGO CONCERT BAND HOSTS HOLIDAY CONCERT DECEMBER 19

The San Diego Concert Band kicks off its 35^th season with the annual holiday concert on December 19 at Joan B. Kroc Theatre at 7 p.m.. Barbara Allen returns as guest vocalist, backed by the band playing special arrangements by local musician, composer/arranger, and music educator Adam Pezdek. 

Tickets are available at the door and on the Band’s website, www.SanDiegoConcertBand.com.