DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

East County News Service

November 25, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, outdoor ice skating at Viejas, the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, Breakfast with Santa in Alpine, San Diego Festival Chorus & Orchestra’s Christmas concert and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as Fleetwood Mac, LeAnn Rimes, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, a comedy appearance by Trevor Noah,and a swingin’ holiday party with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY WILD AND SWINGIN’ HOLIDAY PARTY NOV. 30

You’re invited to swing into your holiday season at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, November 30th at 8 p.m. with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party.  So, break out the zoot suits and swing dance dresses to take a step back in time to the ‘40s and ‘50s.

The high-energy group has appeared in concert venues across the world, sold millions of records, and had their music appear in hundreds of movies and television shows, revitalizing jazz and swing music to bring joy to audiencesaround the world. For tickets and more information, visit www.PowayOnStage.com.

NORTH POLE LIMITED TRAIN RIDES NOV. 30-DEC. 22

The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo. Aboard the historic 1920s train, Santa’s elves will sing Christmas carols, read a popular holiday story, passing out cookies and hot chocolate to all—then stop at Santa’s workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Advance tickets are recommended as this popular attraction often sells out.  Arrive at the Campo depot at least 45 minutes early – and be sure to stop by the Hobo Camp next to the depot to hear tales from railroading’s pass before boarding.

The North Pole Limited train will run Fridays and Saturdays,November 30th through December 22nd. For tickets options and information, visit the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum website at psrm.org. 

AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE DEC. 1 IN SANTEE

The Santee Historical Society invites you to an old-fashioned Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 1st from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Santee Barn (9200 Magnolia, between Mast and Mission Gorge Rd.)

Festivities include a visit with Santa, a petting zoo, museum tours, holiday refreshments and holiday music by the Santee Community Choir.

For more information, visit www.SanteeHistoricalSociety.org.

RAMONA CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING DECEMBER 1ST

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce invites you to Ramona’s 26th annual Christmas tree lighting and celebrations from 5 to 8 p.m.  

Main Street will come alive with over a thousand Ramona residents out to celebrate the Christmas Season on Saturday, when shops will stay open late, Main Street will be closed to thru traffic for sleigh rides, a classic car show,Santa and the Lighting of the annual Christmas tree in front of the Guy B. Woodward Museum at 6 p.m. There will be a DJ, local entertainment, carolers and crafters.

For more information, visit https://ramonachamber.com/ and click on the events tab at the top.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IN LAKESIDE DEC. 1

The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce hosts Spirit of Christmas along the town’s Maine Avenue on December 1st from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will be entertainment, food, games, crafts, Santa Claus and lighting of a community tree to celebrate the season. For more information, visit the Lakeside Chamber website at https://lakesidechamber.org/spirit-of-christmas.   

VIEJAS ICE RINK NOW OPEN

The largest outdoor ice skating rink in Southern California is open now through January 6th at the Viejas Outlets Center in Alpine. Rental skates are available.  In addition to ice skating, visitors can enjoy holiday entertainment and a seasonal water show.  

For more information, visit Viejas.com.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY NOV. 30-DEC. 15

Pickwick Players in Santee will present It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play opening November 30th and running through December 15th.

The production recounts the classic story of George Bailey’s Christmas Eve, when the depressed man is visited by a guardian angel who shows him the lives he has touched and then shows him how different his community of Bedford Falls would have been without him.

On opening night, a champagne reception will also be held.  For tickets, visit www.PickwickPlayers.net.

TONY ORLANDO AT SYCUAN NOV. 30

Singer Tony Orlando will perform at Sycuan’s Live and Up Close Theatre on November 30th at 8 p.m.

The Grammy nominee celebrates five decades of endearing entertaining including five hit records: “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree,” “Knock Three Times,” “Candida,” “My Sweet Gypsy Rose” and “He Don’t Love You Like I Love You.”

Tie A Yellow Ribbon” was the number one Billboard Song of 1973 and became Orlando’s theme song. For tickets, you can visit www.Sycuan.com.

ALPINE PARADE OF LIGHTS AND SNOW FESTIVAL DEC. 7

The 23rd annual Alpine Village Parade of Lights and Snow Festival offers Santa, snow sledding and fun for the whole family on December 7th. The parade begins at Alpine Blvd. and West Victoria Drive at 6 p.m. and ends at the Alpine Creek Town Center, 1347 Tavern Road in Alpine.

Organized by the Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce, the parade features floats and other entries all aglow with holiday lights.  The snow festival features real snow with a sledding hill as well as vendor booths, children’s activities and more. 

For more information, or to sign up to enter December 7ththe parade by Dec. 5, visit www.alpinechamber.com

HOLIDAYS IN THE VILLAGE DEC. 7-8

The La Mesa Village Association will present Holiday in the Village December 7th and 8th.  You’re invited to stroll through the streets of La Mesa’s historic downtown to enjoy live music and dance, cozy fires, craft vendors, food, and a kids' area with holiday movies and activities.

There will also be fire pits, caroling and more in the spirit of the season.

Find more information at http://www.lamesavillageassociation.org/.

FLEETWOOD MAC DEC. 8 AT SDSU

Fleetwood Mac, one of the world’s best-selling bands, will be live in concert at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on December 8th at 8 p.m.

The stellar British rock group known for hits such as Black Magic Woman, still includes its two original title members, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie, along with some new talent.  The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide as well as an Emmy award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since its inception 50 years ago. For tickets, you can visit Ticketmaster.com.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA DEC. 8 IN ALPINE

You’re invited to bring the kids and savor breakfast with Santa at the Alpine Community Center (1830 Alpine Blvd., Alpine) on Saturday, December 8 from 9-11 a.m.

Every child will receive a gift from Santa! There will also be holiday crafts for kids.

Proceeds benefit the Alpine Community Center.  Tickets ($15 adults, children ages 4-9 $5, under 3 years free) are available at www.AlpineCommunityCenter.com.  

SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL CHORUS & ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS CONCERT DEC. 9

The San Diego Festival Chorus & Orchestra will present its annual Christmas concert on Sunday, December 9th at 3 p.m. at the College Avenue Baptist Church (4747 College Ave., San Diego.)

The program opens with Charles Gounod's Saint Cecilia Mass, written in honor of the patron saint of music, St. Cecilia. The second half of the program features a selection of seasonal music ranging from traditional carols to new settings of old favorites to some less familiar Christmas songs.  

For tickets and details, you can visit www.SanDiegoFestivalChorus.org.

BARRY MANILOW’S “BARRY MERRY CHIRSTMAS” DEC. 13 AT SDSU

Singer Barry Manilow will present a “Barry Merry Chirstmas” concert December 13th at 7:30 p.m. at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University.  The winner of a Grammy Award and a Tony Award for Broadway appearances, Manilow began his career singing duets with Bette Midler and jingles for McDonalds commercials before gaining fame as a solo performer. He is best known for hit songs such as Mandy, I Write the Songs and Copacabana.  

For tickets, visit the Viejas Arena website.

LEANN RIMES IN CONCERT AT VIEJAS DEC. 14

The youngest singer to win a Grammy and also be nominated by the Academy of Country Music, LeAnn Rimes will be live onstage at Oak Ballroom stage at Viejas Casino & Resort on Friday, December 14 at 8 p.m. With a string of hits throughout her career, she is still best known for her signature song “Blue”.

For tickets and details, visit Viejas.com and click on the entertainment option.

TREVOR NOAH AT SDSU DEC. 15

Comedian and author Trevor Noah brings his Loud & Clear tour to the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on December 15th. The host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” known for his humorous take on politics is also the author of “Afraid of the Dark” and “Born a Crime,” his memoir; the title references his birth to mixed raced parents in South Africa, a crime under apartheid rule at the time. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

That’s all for this week! You can find details on all of these events and more in the calendar and events section at our website, www.EastCountyMagazine.org.

If you have an event you’d like added to our calendar, or if you would like to sponsor the Destination East County column on our website, or the Destination East County show on KNSJ Radio, you can contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  Destination East County is the most-read feature on our website.

We’ll be back next week with more festivals, events and attractions in San Diego’s East County!