East County News Service

January 6, 2018 (Santee) – From fishing events to movies, concerts, and holiday celebrations, you’ll find lots of activities coming up in the New Year at Santee Lakes—starting with Trout Re-Opener days on January 13 and 14, when the lakes will be stocked with 2,000 pounds of rainbow trout.

Scroll down for details and learn more at www.SanteeLakes.com.

By Miriam Raftery

January 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes hawk watch in Ramona, falconry demonstrations in Wynola, a star party and ancient Tibetan music at Mission Trails, Sinatra and friends in Borrego Springs and Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including a pianist John Nilsen in Descanso, llore of the Kumeyaay at the Water Conservation Garden, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, the Mousetrap at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa,  Martin Luther King Day events in Lemon Grove, live music at the San Pasqual Winery and Riviera Supper Club in La Mesa, a local authors expo in El Cajon, the Oak Ridge Boys in concert at Sycuan, San Diego Chamber Music Society performers at the La Mesa Library, a star party at Mission Trails, and Seussical the Musical in Spring Valley.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 30, 2017 (Borrego Springs) – Rams Hill Golf Resort in Borrego Springs is hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner/dance on December 31^st starting at 5:30 p.m.   Before the ball drops, you can enjoy live Sinatra-esque music from the Golden Era.

The evening begins with tray pass hors d’oeuvres, followed by a three-course meal at $99 a person.

By Miriam Raftery

December 27, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s celebrations in Alpine and Jamul, New Year's Day at an Alpaca Farm, plus an art show at the Wieghorst Gallery in El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have coming attractions including Hawk Watch in the Ramona Grasslands, falconry demonstrations at Wynola Pizza, a Star Party at Mission Trails, Sinatra and Friends in Borrego Springs, Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan, full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, an ancient Tibetan music concert at Mission Trails, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, pianist John Nilsen in concert in Descanso, and a fingerstyle guitar concert at San Pasqual Winery’s La Mesa tasting room.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 20, 2017 (Dehesa) -- Carnaval Fantastique will bring performers from around the world to Sycuan’s Live and Up Close Theatre on January 7^th in a celebration of music and action that combines gravity-defying acrobatics, contortionists, jugglers, comedy, beautiful dancers and dynamic laser special effects.

December 11, 2017 -- It's time for East County Magazine's annual festive and fabulous "Feasting and Merrymaking Holiday Party!"

This year's event will be held on Sunday, December 17th from 3 to 7 p.m. at 4438 Hideaway Place, La Mesa, 91941. The event is open to our newsletter and wildfire alert subscribers, dining club members and invited guests. Subscriptions are free! Sign up here:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts.

This year's party includes a potluck international feast, so bring your best holiday dish or international dish to share.  We will also have live music with Paul Nichols playing folk, pop and holiday carols (yes, you can sing along!). Plus we'll have a treasure trove of prizes and surprises.

East County News Service

December 12, 2017 (Alpine) –  East County’s biggest New Year’s festivities happening at the Viejas Resort and Casino. On New Year’s Eve, December 31^st, you’re invited to ring in the new year at one of two celebrations.

By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, the Ramona Holiday Wine Trail, a Christmas Cabaret in La Mesa, reindeer at Grossmont Center, and a Toy Parade in El Cajon, a performance of Handel’s Messiah in the College area,

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, Caroling in Borrego, Santa and Snow at Santee Lakes, a Christmas Carol in Julian, big band and jazz holiday concerts in El Cajon and Santee, Tony Orlando at Sycuan, fiddling and clogging with Celia Lawler at Parkway Plaza, Sinatra and friends at Borrego Performing Arts, and Carnaval Fantastique at Sycuan.

So scroll down tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 3, 2017 (Santee) — Santa comes to Santee Lakes on Sunday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Children can also delight in meeting favorite characters from Star Wars and Disney movies on Storybook Island, sliding down Snow Hill, crafts, face painting, carnival rides and rides on ponies, tractors and a train.

Source: Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

December 2, 2017 (Ramona) -- Participating wineries from the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA) are featuring a  “Holiday in the Country” when you “Follow the Ramona Wine Trail” in the heart of San Diego Wine Country during the first three weekends of December: 2/3, 9/10, and 16/17.

Wine fans can visit 14 wineries decked out for the holidays. In addition to discounted tastings, individual wineries are presenting their own selected special holiday happenings to accompany tasting, such as tree lighting ceremony, tree trimming, holiday music, crafters’ goods for a little shopping, signed magnum bottles, and the introduction of white wines for a White Christmas theme. Santa is also expected to hover.

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2017 (La Mesa)—Ho, ho, ho! As Santa’s Christmas Eve sleigh ride approaches, you can bring children to take photos and feed a live reindeer at Grossmont Center on Sunday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on December 3, 10 and 17.

East County News Service

November 30, 2017 (Alpine) -- You’re invited to celebrate a  rural Christmas on Friday, Dec. 1, at the 22^nd Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Snow Festival in Alpine. A parade of glittering lighted entries begins at 6:30 p.m. on Alpine Boulevard, where shops are aglow with holiday lights.

The parade ends at the annual (free!) Snow Festival in the Alpine Creek Town Center complete with sledding on a hill with real snow There will also be children’s activities, entertainment, and a visit by Santa Claus, as well as vendors and food for purchase.

By Miriam Raftery

November 21, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes holiday hay rides in Santa Ysabel, holiday lighting and skating in El Cajon, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, and Julian’s Country Christmas heralding in the start of the holiday season.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions over the next month including Lemon Grove’s holiday bonfire complete with ice skating and hay rides,  Ramona’s holiday tree lighting with sleigh rides and carolers, the Spirit of Christmas on Maine Street in Lakeside, a hike up Volcan Mountain during a Super moon, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, a Christmas cabaret, San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s holiday concert, and a presentation of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, a Christmas Carol, in Julian.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

November 15, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes a Swing with Santa charity golf tournament, live music at La Mesa Wine Works, a meteor shower watching event at Oakoasis Park in Lakeside, and the ever-popular Mother Goose Parade.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions over the next month including Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, Holiday Lights on Main in El Cajon, holiday hay rides in Santa Ysabel, a Julian Country Christmas, a bonfire and ice skating in Lemon Grove, Lakeside’s Spirit of Christmas on Maine, a Christmas Cabaret, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s “Sounds Good” performance of Handel’s Messiah and other holiday favorites.

So stay tuned for all of these events and many more!