Tag: december nights

Signs of the holiday season appear in San Diego!

Signs of the holiday season have sprung up around San Diego a week or two before Thanksgiving.
Signs of the holiday season have sprung up around San Diego a week or two before Thanksgiving.

The holidays are almost upon us! Four days until Thanksgiving!

While walking around San Diego this weekend, I noticed some signs of the coming holiday season. So I took pictures!

Ushers file past the Dr. Seuss Grinch Christmas Tree at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park.
Ushers file past the fun Dr. Seuss Grinch Christmas Tree in front of the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park.
Holiday lights are up in the courtyard of Balboa Park's House of Hospitality.
Holiday lights are up in the courtyard of Balboa Park’s House of Hospitality.
Poster in Balboa Park advertises New Direction at the North Pole! Joyful music will fill San Diego during the holiday season.
Poster in Balboa Park advertises New Direction at the North Pole! Joyful music will fill San Diego during the holiday season.
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park is almost ready for December Nights, which will be held December 4 and 5 this year.
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park is almost ready for December Nights, which will be held December 4 and 5 this year.
Frosty the Snowman painted on a store window in San Diego's sunny East County.
Frosty the Snowman painted on a store window in San Diego’s sunny East County.
The Salvation Army will be serving Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless in Golden Hall at the Civic Center.
The Salvation Army will be serving Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless in Golden Hall at the Civic Center.
White Christmas opens Friday at the Spreckels Theatre.
White Christmas opens Friday at the Spreckels Theatre.
Kansas City Barbeque is offering active military a free Thanksgiving dinner.
Kansas City Barbeque is offering active military a free Thanksgiving dinner.
The San Diego Run For the Hungry takes place Thanksgiving morning.
The San Diego Run For the Hungry takes place Thanksgiving morning.
Traditional holiday garland and colorful ornaments festoon the famous Donut Bar in downtown San Diego.
Traditional holiday garland and colorful ornaments festoon the Donut Bar in downtown San Diego.
One of many beautiful wreaths hung all around the Horton Plaza shopping center in downtown San Diego.
One of many beautiful wreaths hung all around Horton Plaza in San Diego.  Christmas shopping is about to really get started on Black Friday!
Surfing Santa poster in a window of the Seaport Cookie Company.
Surfing Santa poster in a window of the Seaport Cookie Company.
Some shiny Christmas tree ornaments and festive entertainment near the Seaport Village carousel.
Some shiny Christmas tree ornaments and festive entertainment near the Seaport Village carousel.
Jolly old Saint Nick is being hung with care near stockings and candy cane pillars at the front door of a Seaport Village shop.
Jolly old Saint Nick is being hung with care near stockings and candy cane pillars at the front door of a Seaport Village shop.

…

Join me for more fun sights on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you like to read inspirational, thought-provoking fiction? Visit my Short Stories by Richard writing blog!

Joyful colors of Christmas at December Nights.

House of England's Victorian gentleman with top hot and monocle!
House of England’s Victorian gentleman with top hot and monocle!

This afternoon I enjoyed several daylight hours at the 2014 December Nights event in Balboa Park! It looks like the Christmas spirit is alive in San Diego!

December Nights, which used to be named Christmas on the Prado, is an annual holiday celebration that attracts around three hundred thousand people over two absolutely amazing days. The best time to experience December Nights is after dark, when Balboa Park from end to end is lit with thousands of lights. The scene is vast and magical. Carolers and choirs seem to be everywhere you turn. There are so many jolly Santas taking pictures with families you might think you’d arrived at the North Pole! The traditional sights, yummy smells, and cheerfully lit colors of Christmas abound.

But, alas, my camera doesn’t cope well with darkness. So here are some sunny pics from a couple hours ago!

Santa, Frosty and joyful San Diegans at December Nights in Balboa Park.
Santa, Frosty and joyful San Diegans at December Nights in Balboa Park.
Presents, ornaments and cacti in Balboa Park's Spanish Village!
Presents, ornaments and cacti in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village!
An artist studio in Spanish Village behind many very colorful Christmas trees.
An artist studio in Spanish Village behind many very colorful Christmas trees.
These handmade blown glass ornaments were out on display.
These handmade blown glass ornaments were out on display.
Artist's message: Let there be Peace on Earth...
Artist’s message: Let there be Peace on Earth…
Is this face painter by the Balboa Park carousel Mrs. Claus or a ladybug.
Is this face painter by the Balboa Park carousel Mrs. Claus or a ladybug?
A smiling gingerbread man greets one and all to Casa del Prado.
A smiling gingerbread man greets one and all to Casa del Prado.
San Diego Floral Association hosted many Christmas trees created by local folk.
San Diego Floral Association hosted many Christmas trees created by local folk.
Sign acknowledges the Balboa Park Centennial, kicking off this weekend!
Sign acknowledges the Balboa Park Centennial, kicking off this weekend!
Lots of vendors everywhere had holiday crafts that would make great gifts.
Lots of vendors everywhere had holiday crafts that would make great gifts.
A table full of unique Christmas stocking stuffers.
A table full of unique Christmas stocking stuffers.
One table had cool model ships! I know what this kid wants for Christmas!
One table had cool model ships! I know what this kid wants for Christmas!
Kids from Colegio Ingles in Tijuana, Mexico perform in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Kids from Colegio Ingles in Tijuana, Mexico perform in the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir sings rousing gospel music!
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir sings rousing gospel music!
Manger scene in one of the huts along back of Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Manger scene in one of the huts along back of Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Gingerbread house in organ pavilion sells Christmas treats to the growing crowd.
Gingerbread House in the organ pavilion sells Christmas treats to the slowly growing crowd.
Santa Claus has landed with his little reindeer on a rooftop!
Santa Claus has landed with his little reindeer on a rooftop!
Huge, glorious poinsettia display inside the popular Botanical Building.
Huge, glorious poinsettia display inside the popular Botanical Building.
It's Wendy! No, I don't want a hamburger today. Thank you!
It’s Wendy! No, I don’t want a hamburger today. Maybe tomorrow.  Thank you!
Photos with Santa will take place here and elsewhere once the sun sets.
Photos with Santa will take place here and elsewhere once the sun sets.
Lots of people dressed for the holidays this afternoon at December Nights in San Diego.
Lots of people dressed for the holidays this afternoon at December Nights in San Diego.
These guys were probably informed they were naughty.
These guys were probably informed they were naughty.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Dr. Seuss lives at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas banner on the Old Globe Theatre.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas banner on the Old Globe Theatre.

I saw on television that the Dr. Seuss Christmas tree in Balboa Park’s theatre complex was officially lighted a few days ago. I missed the event! Darn it! It looked like a whole lot of fun!

During my walk this morning, I decided to swing past San Diego’s famous Old Globe Theatre and check things out. It looks like all the colorful holiday decorations are up, and everything’s ready for the big Balboa Park December Nights festival in a couple weeks.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas has played at the Globe for seventeen consecutive seasons. Theodor Geisel, better known as much-beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss, lived in nearby La Jolla, a beautiful neighborhood just north of downtown San Diego.

Dr. Seuss Christmas tree at the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
Dr. Seuss Christmas tree at the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center.
The fun Christmas tree is up again in Theodor Seuss Geisel's hometown!
The fun Christmas tree is up again in Theodor Seuss Geisel’s home city!
Kids love the Dr. Seuss displays all around the Old Globe plaza area.
Kids love the whimsical Dr. Seuss displays all around the Old Globe plaza area.
Another Who from Whoville near bench in the Craig Noel Garden.
Another Who from Whoville hanging out near a bench in the Craig Noel Garden.
Fun Grinch shirts for sale at the very cool Old Globe gift shop.
Fun Grinch shirts for sale at the very cool Old Globe gift shop.
Family gets a festive holiday photograph by the Seuss tree in Balboa Park.
Family gets a festive holiday photograph by the Seuss tree in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
The grouchy old green Grinch is peering over the gift shop!
The grouchy old green Grinch is peering over the gift shop’s roof!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is playing at the Old Globe for its 17th season!
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is playing at the Old Globe for its 17th season!

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Lots of Balboa Park December Nights photos!

Here comes a batch of photos taken Friday afternoon and early evening at 2013 December Nights.  If you haven’t been to Balboa Park’s massive holiday festival, you’re really missing out.  Hundreds of thousands of people turn out during the two day event, enjoying colorful lights, decorations, music, Christmas carols, food, entertainment, and just a whole bunch of fun.  Every corner of the park is crammed with stuff to see and do.  And it seems half of San Diego comes out to experience it all!

Some might recall that December Nights was once called Christmas on the Prado.  Fortunately, the event is as joyful, bright, inspirational and heart-warming as ever.  And the crowds seem bigger than ever!

Vendors set up festive booths in courtyard in front of the Museum of Man.
Vendors set up festive booths in courtyard in front of the Museum of Man.
Front of the Old Globe Theatre features a banner of the Dr. Seuss Grinch.
Front of the Old Globe Theatre features a banner of the Dr. Seuss Grinch.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas holiday tree in Balboa Park's theatre complex.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas holiday tree in theatre complex.
Getting ready for the evening crowds in Balboa Park's central plaza on Friday afternoon of December Nights.
Getting ready for crowds in Balboa Park’s central plaza on Friday afternoon.
Funnel cakes, lemonade and kettle corn for the holidays!
Funnel cakes, lemonade and kettle corn for the holidays!
December Nights crowd grows in Spanish Village by late afternoon.
December Nights crowd grows in Spanish Village by late afternoon.
Santa awaits beyond colorful decorations in Spanish Village.
Santa awaits beyond colorful decorations in Spanish Village.
An enormous Christmas tree decorates the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Enormous Christmas tree decorates the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
One nativity scene in the large creche at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
One nativity scene in the large creche at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Tijuana school kids dressed as vaqueros and angels wait to perform at December Nights.
Tijuana school kids dressed as vaqueros and angels wait to perform.
Children perform in front of big Christmas tree on Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage.
Children perform by big Christmas tree on Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage.
The December Nights fun zone rides will become more active after dark.
The December Nights fun zone rides will become more active after dark.
This guy's shirt wishes everyone a Merry Solstice.
This guy’s shirt wishes everyone a Merry Solstice.
Food and yummy smells can be found all over Balboa Park.
Food and yummy smells can be found all over Balboa Park.
Sunset nears and the tower atop the San Diego Junior Theatre building turns gold.
Sunset nears and the tower atop San Diego Junior Theatre building turns gold.
A December day fades above Balboa Park and the clouds are tinged with color.
A December day fades above Balboa Park and the clouds are tinged with color.
Now the evening crowd is really growing at December Nights!
Now the evening crowd is really growing at December Nights!
Glee Club of Australia kids sing and dance in Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Glee Club of Australia kids sing and dance in Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
One of several Santas in Balboa Park.
One of several Santas in Balboa Park.
San Diego Junior Theatre kids sing Christmas carols.
San Diego Junior Theatre kids sing Christmas carols.
Balboa Park Miniature Train in front of San Diego Zoo lit up with Christmas lights.
Balboa Park Miniature Train in front of San Diego Zoo lit with Christmas lights.
Balboa Park fountain and Natural History Museum illuminated for December Nights.
Balboa Park fountain and Natural History Museum lit up for December Nights.