Looking for things to do in San Diego in the first month of the new year?
Although it’s winter in San Diego, there are still plenty of activities going on throughout San Diego County. Ice skating, holiday festivals, shopping, art festivals and the Farmers Open is back! Unfortunately one of my favorites, the San Diego International Auto Show was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.
Walk The Block: Barrio Logan – Saturdays
“Walk The Block” is a community initiative that was created in July 2020 to
help struggling small businesses in Barrio Logan. Shop owners and local
vendors set up their outdoor booths all along Logan Avenue. Food, Drinks,
Clothing, & Gifts all available with a chican@ twist.
12-6pm / Logan Avenue: Chicano Park to 26th St.
www.walktheblocksd.com
Snow N Glow Holiday Festival – Through Jan. 2
You can snow tube down our giant Snow Hill made with real snow! There
will also be an open area to play in the snow. Sip on hot cocoa while you
stroll through a million festive lights! Our Winter Wonderland glowing lights
are here to make your holidays bright. Holidays in Your Car: This twinkling
event is back! Experience a separate holiday light display from the comfort
and safety of your vehicle! Igloo private party rentals are available to create
your perfect Holiday experience. Space is limited!
4-10pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
805-585-7811 / Snow N Glow Del Mar
Winter Wonder at Belmont Park – Through Jan. 2
Our 95-year-old beachside park will offer a day-and-night experience,
featuring 15-foot-tall holiday-themed sculptures, Christmas Tree Farm,
Seasonal Character appearances, Holiday Movie Nights, face painting and
balloon art; plus, Illuminated Winter Nights when the sun goes down. Take
a walk-through Winter Wonder with our new interactive Holiday Map filled
with festive fun at every stop!
3190 Mission Blvd., San Diego www.belmontpark.com
Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo – Through Jan. 2
The Zoo will be aglow with holiday cheer and decorations, with music filling
the air, joyful roaming entertainers, and special food items and sweets
available.
9am-8pm / San Diego Zoo https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jungle-bells
Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park – Through Jan. 2
Seasonal decorations, special wildlife experiences and a festive atmosphere
will greet visitors at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as the Park spreads its
own version of holiday cheer.
9am-8pm / San Diego Zoo Safari Park
https://sdzsafaripark.org/WildHolidays
Skating by the Sea – Through Jan. 2
This spectacular beachfront ice rink features stunning views of the Pacific
and benefits Make-A-Wish® San Diego. Now you can reserve your own rink
side lounge at Frostbite – A Place to Chill. Guests will enjoy plush seating
around a roaring fire pit with full food and beverage service. Choose from
your favorite holiday-themed libations and snacks as you enjoy watching
the beachfront ice skating.
Mon-Fri 4-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-8pm / Hotel del Coronado
619-435-6611 / www.hoteldel.com
Rady Children’s Ice Rink – Through Jan. 9
Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, Sentre and NTC Foundation welcome
the community to celebrate the holiday season with the return of their
outdoor ice skating. All net proceeds from the ice rink will benefit the
Thriving After Cancer program at the Peckham Center for Cancer and
Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s.
10am-10pm / Central Promenade at Arts District Liberty Station
619-573-9300 / www.ntcfoundation.org
San Diego International Auto Show – Dec. 30-Jan. 2
Cancelled
Features an incredible variety of new vehicles under one roof from top
global manufacturers. Be among the first in the U.S. to see San Diego
debuts of newly unveiled vehicles not yet in showrooms that are expected
to be on display at the show. When not captivated by the cars, show visitors
can participate in exciting, fun new features, family entertainment, and
interactive activities.
San Diego Convention Center
858-550-0080 / www.sdautoshow.com
New Year’s Day Brunch Cruise – Jan. 1
Spend New Year’s Day 2022 aboard a yacht sipping mimosas and enjoying
a delicious brunch. Bring your appetite, because Flagship’s New Year’s
Brunch Cruise includes all your breakfast and brunch favorites.
11am-1pm / Flagship Cruises & Events: 990 N Harbor Dr.
619-234-4111 / www.flagshipsd.com
Poway Winter Festival Jan. 7-8
Feel snow between your fingers while sledding down the snow hill; smell
roasting marshmallows as you devour delicious s’mores; experience the
wind in your hair skating around the synthetic ice rink; and more! Lights
will twinkle, as music sets the tone and laughter fills the air. Winter Festival
brings to life all of the charm and entertainment of a cold-mountain town,
set right in Poway.
Fri 5-9pm, Sat 3:30-8:30pm / Poway Community Park
858-668-4671 / Poway Winter Festival
San Diego Home Improvement Expo – Jan 7-9
Offers deals on kitchen and bath remodeling, home decor and more all
under one roof. Speak to experts from a large variety of home-improvement
and maintenance organizations.
Fri & Sun 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-5pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
858-350-3738 / www.sandiegohomegardenshows.com
City Hike – Jan. 8
This short but challenging 4.5-mile hike will explore the Santa Fe Valley Trail,
itself a segment of the classic Coast to Crest Trail, as it winds southwest
through The Crosby Open Space Preserve. Hikers will be treated to peek-a-boo views of the San Dieguito River. There will be some steep switchbacks
with a total elevation gain of 535’. Hike rating = Moderate.
9am-12pm / Santa Fe Valley Trail
760-744-1050 / www.san-marcos.net
Del Mar Antiques + Art + Design Show – Jan. 14-16
Will feature over 100 premier exhibitors offering a broad range of quality
antiques including fine antique furniture, silver, paintings, bronzes,
porcelain, Asian antiques, antique and estate jewelry and watches, pottery,
rare books, lighting, crystal, prints, rugs, textiles, posters, toys, dolls,
vintage designer clothing and accessories, crystal and porcelain repair and
much more.
11am-6pm / Del Mar Fairgrounds
708-366-2710 / www.dolphinfairs.com
Beyond Van Gogh – Jan. 14-Mar. 6
In an imaginative and immersive presentation crafted for our unique
times by world renowned audiovisual designers, Beyond Van Gogh uses
cutting-edge projection technology to create an engaging journey into
the world of Van Gogh. Using his dreams, his thoughts, and his words to
drive the experience as a narrative, we move along projection swathed
walls wrapped in light, color, and shapes that swirl, dance and refocus into
flowers, cafes and landscapes.
Wyland Center at Del Mar Fairgrounds
800-441-0819 / www.vangoghsandiego.com
Mariela Contreras – Jan. 15
Mariela Contreras’ love for poetry and natural ability to write music allows
her to capture her life experience through song. Her intimate melodies
and lyrics are inspired by love, nature, and the complicated relationship
between the heart and mind.
7-9pm / Museum of Making Music, Carlsbad
760-304-5840 / www.museumofmakingmusic.org
Star Walk XV – Jan. 16
Learn beginner astronomy concepts, about specific stars, constellations
and simple astronomy facts and principles. Tonight’s features: Mercury,
Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and a Waxing Gibbous Moon; Flying Horse, Flying
Dragon, and Flying Chair constellations are brilliant; Quadrantids Meteor
Shower. Recommended Equipment: LED flashlight with red filter, or red
lens cover. Binoculars. Warm clothes. Blanket and/or ground cloth.
5:30-7pm / Double Peak Park, San Marcos
760-744-1050 / www.san-marcos.net
Farmers Insurance Open – Jan. 26-29
We are excited to welcome fans back to the course for this year’s tournament
to experience San Diego’s premiere social & golf event. Don’t miss out on
the breathtaking views, world-class golf, and an unrivaled experience at
Torrey Pines.
Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla
858-886-4653 / www.farmersinsuranceopen.com
Pure Project 6th Anniversary Party – Jan. 29
Beer Garden & Food: We’ll be blocking off a large portion of our parking
lot for beer tents, food trucks, music, games and more. Rare Beers: We
have been stockpiling beers for this party. Rare & specialty beer tappings
will take place throughout the event. Cellar Bottle Sale: We will be pulling
bottled beers out of our cellar for purchase. Many of these beers will only
be available on this day.
1-5pm / Pure Project Miramar: 9030 Kenamar Dr. #308
858-252-6143 / www.purebrewing.org