We hope you and yours had a great holiday. As San Diego eases into the stretch between Christmas and New Year’s, some of the season’s biggest light displays and holiday events are wrapping up, while New Year’s plans are starting to take shape. With a few lingering showers early and sunshine by Sunday, it’s a perfect weekend to squeeze in one last festive outing — or simply get out and experience the city before January rolls in.

Let’s dive in.

 Steve DeLong
Publisher

PS - This weekly update goes out to folks who registered through our Facebook promotion for local events. If these messages are no longer a fit, there’s a simple opt-out link in the footer—one tap and delivery stops right away. Thanks for giving us a look!

🌟 Lightscape – San Diego Botanic Garden
A mile-long glowing garden walk of tunnels, sculptures, and music — one of San Diego’s most photogenic holiday traditions.
👉 https://sdbg.org/lightscape/

🦒 Jungle Bells – San Diego Zoo
Holiday lights, festive treats, and animal encounters transform the zoo into a cheerful winter wonderland after dark.
👉 https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jungle-bells

🦓 Wild Holidays – San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Seasonal decor, live music, and safari-style holiday cheer set against wide-open savanna views.
👉 https://sdzsafaripark.org/wild-holidays

🎢 Holidays at LEGOLAND California
LEGO® holiday builds, snowfall shows, and seasonal treats make this a hit with kids and visiting family.
👉 https://www.legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/holidays/

🎄 SeaWorld Christmas Celebration
Festive shows, holiday foods, themed lands, and nightly fireworks close out the season seaside.
👉 https://seaworld.com/san-diego/events/christmas/

🛟 Local Heroes: San Diego Lifeguards
San Diego Lifeguards operate year-round — not just in summer — performing water, boat, cliff, and swift-water rescues along our coastline and inland waterways. Even in winter, they respond in rough surf and storm conditions when fewer visitors are on beaches and emergency scenarios can be especially hazardous. Just recently they played a key role in rescuing a dog swept out to sea by a rip current off Ocean Beach, showing the depth of their dedication and skill. sandiego.gov , San Diego Reader

If you’re planning a last-minute New Year’s Eve dinner, these standout San Diego restaurants still had reservations available at press time—a rare win for Dec. 31.

Tip: New Year’s Eve reservations change quickly—check booking platforms or call directly to confirm availability and any prix-fixe menus.

A rugged 13-mile backcountry trek through oak-lined canyons and seasonal creek crossings in Cleveland National Forest — best tackled as a two-day backpacking trip with proper planning.

Know before you go:
This route typically requires backcountry permits, solid navigation skills, and overnight gear. Winter rains bring flowing water and waterfalls, but also colder nights and muddy sections.

Another beautiful San Diego Sunset!

Fri 12/26
High 64° / Low 53° • 🌧️ 88%

Sat 12/27
High 64° / Low 47° • 🌦️ 84%

Sun 12/28
High 69° / Low 49° • ☀️ 1%

A few showers Friday and Saturday give way to a sunny, clear-skied Sunday to wrap the weekend.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Duke’s La Jolla – Jeff Brinkman – La Jolla – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Jehua – Del Mar – 3-6pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Danielle Angeloni – Escondido – 4-6pm
The Camp Store – Blue Creek Band – Carlsbad – 4:15-6:15pm
Humphrey’s Backstage Live – Tradewinds – Point Loma – 5-7pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – Agents of Apollo – Morena – 5-8pm
Seasons Restaurant – Marelle – Carlsbad – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Tim Dierkes “Unplugged” – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Uvas Winery – Ashlyn & Matt Duo – Poway – 5-8pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Kristi Krause – Escondido – 5-9pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Helena Holleran – San Marcos – 5:30-8:30pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Buzz Campbell and the Heartaches – El Cajon – 6-8pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Kevin Ryan – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Bellamy’s Restaurant – Dave Scott & Bobby Lanuza – Escondido – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars – Oceanside – Corey Angeli – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Jolene Cruz – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill – Mission Valley – Perla Negra Cuban Trio – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Two Lane Highway – Santa Ysabel – 6-9pm
Junkyard Sports Bar & Grill – Ryan Hiller – Oceanside – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Keni Yarbro – La Jolla – 6-9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Freddie Walton – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Shake Bar & Lounge – Christian Taylor – Core-Columbia – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Puro Feeling – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – John Bennett – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Jon • Martha • Eric • James – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill – Carlsbad – BlueSuede Crew – Carlsbad – 6-9:30pm
Babcock & Story Hotel Del – Gonzo Solo – Coronado – 6-10pm
The Galley at the Marina – Paradygm – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Renegade Bar – Trey Hill Band – El Cajon – 6:30pm-12:30am
Golden Island Dim Sum & Asian Cuisine – Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra – Mira Mesa – 6:30-8:30pm
Négociant Winery – Friday’s with Don L. – Uptown Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Eddie V’s V Lounge – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
Books & Records Bar – Mercedes Moore – Banker’s Hill – 7-10pm
Fast Times – Christopher Dale – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Angeles y Diablos – National City – 7-10pm
L’Auberge Del Mar – Shay Skylar – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Maxwell the Great – Carlsbad – 7-10pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Swingin Johnsons – Leucadia – 7-10pm
Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Wildside Band – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – Jonny Tarr – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Winstons OB – Shady Groove w/ Tim Johnson and Mike Fishell – Ocean Beach – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill – Poway – HeatWave – Poway – 7-11pm
1st Street Bar – Isaiah Mitchell – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
McP’s Irish Pub – Joe Rathburn – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Humphrey’s Backstage Live – Ristband – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – David Shyde – Del Mar – 8-11pm
The Roxy Encinitas – The Riptide – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Full Circle Saloon – Christy & the Feral Flow – Santee – 8:30pm-11:59pm
The Kraken – I90 – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey’s – Chicken Bone Slim – Allied Gardens – 9pm-12am
Mission Ave Bar & Grill – Boone & Kiel – Oceanside – 9:30-11:30pm

710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Harry’s Sports Bar & Grill – Harryaoke Fridays – Fallbrook – 8pm-1am
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am
Winstons OB – Karaoke w/ Corey Glasper – Ocean Beach – 9pm-12am
Wong’s Dragon Room – Karaoke with DJ Harvest – Rolando – 9pm-1am

Night Parade Brewing Company – Sunset Trivia – Scripps Ranch – 6-8pm
White Labs Brewing Co – San Diego – Trivia – Downtown – 6:30-8:30pm
Dirty Birds – Ocean Beach – Sunset Trivia – Ocean Beach – 7-9pm

Bahia Resort Hotel – Kai Kalama – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
La Valencia Hotel – Orion Song – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Russell Paihinui – Gaslamp Quarter – 11am-2pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Grand Ole BBQ – Big Sky Moon – El Cajon – 1-4pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Nathan Riviera – Encinitas – 1-4pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Jason Jenkins – Escondido – 2-4pm
Winstons OB – Ascentials – Ocean Beach – 2-5pm
The Holding Company – 1st Floor – The Suede Grenades + Guests – Ocean Beach – 2-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Christian Taylor – Del Mar – 3-6pm
Uvas Winery – Amber Lee – Poway – 4-7pm
The Camp Store – Love is a Rose – Carlsbad – 4:15-6:15pm
Humphrey’s Backstage Live – Manzanita Blues – Point Loma – 5-7pm
Pour House – Tim Dierkes (Solo Classic/Blues Rock), Free – Oceanside – 5-8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Todd Wees – Encinitas – 5-8pm
Amalfi Marina Bar – Maxwell – San Marcos – 5:30-8:30pm
Smoking Cannon Brewery – Mark Torpey – Ramona – 6-8pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – Lovalot JAZZ – Morena – 6-8:30pm
Barefoot Bar & Grill – Jesse Johnson – Mission Bay – 6-9pm
Carruth Cellars – Oceanside – Black Pear Reggae – Oceanside – 6-9pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Trevor Davis – La Jolla – 6-9pm
Havana Grill – Mission Valley – Perla Negra Cuban Trio – Mission Valley – 6-9pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Notorious Bottom Feeders – Santa Ysabel – 6-9pm
La Valencia Hotel – Kevin James O’Brien – La Jolla – 6-9pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – The Heart – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina – Andrew Peña – Harbor Island – 6-9pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Rob G – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Jeff • Eric • Courtney • Martha • Dave • Guest Performance by “The Horny Boys” Horn Section – Gaslamp Quarter – 6-9pm
Babcock & Story Hotel Del – Gonzo Solo – Coronado – 6-10pm
The Galley at the Marina – Evidence Band – Chula Vista – 6-10pm
Renegade Bar – Trey Hill Band – El Cajon – 6:30pm-12:30am
Négociant Winery – Janice Edwards • Nathan Fry • Tony Edwards – Uptown Hillcrest – 6:30-9:30pm
Eddie V’s V Lounge – Archie Thompson Trio – Marina District – 6:30-10:30pm
Books & Records Bar – Erika Osuna – Banker’s Hill – 7-10pm
Fast Times – Wicked Rooster – Bay Park – 7-10pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Sol Sacrifice – National City – 7-10pm
L’Auberge Del Mar – Israel Maldonado – Del Mar – 7-10pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Steve Orr – Carlsbad – 7-10pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – John Bennett – Leucadia – 7-10pm
Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – Platinum Vibe – Morena – 7-10pm
Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas – OttoPilot – Encinitas – 7-10pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill – Poway – Cadillac Fringe – Poway – 7-11pm
1st Street Bar – Call of Tomorrow – Encinitas – 7:30-9:30pm
The Holding Company – 1st Floor – The Linkin Park Experience + Guests – Ocean Beach – 7:30-11:30pm
McP’s Irish Pub – Fish & the Seaweeds – Coronado – 8pm-12am
Humphrey’s Backstage Live – Wildside – Point Loma – 8-10pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Freddie Walton – Del Mar – 8-11pm
Winstons OB – Band of Gringos w/ Drew Dvorchak • Pocket Change – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Charlie’s Throbbing Organ Quartet – University Heights – 8pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Mojo Strut – Encinitas – 8:30-11:30pm
Full Circle Saloon – Bastard Sons – Santee – 8:30pm-11:59pm
710 Beach Club – Kings Tide – Pacific Beach – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey’s – Crimson Coils – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
The Kraken – The Celebrities – Cardiff – 9pm-1am
Pour House – Corporate Citizen • Blue Elephant • The Seven Snakes • Torchbug – Oceanside – 9pm-12am
Mission Ave Bar & Grill – Shane Hall – Oceanside – 9:30-11:30pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Charlie’s Throbbing Organ Quartet – University Heights – 10pm

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke w/ Leslie – La Mesa – 6-9pm
Happy Does Bar – Karaoke – Gaslamp Quarter – 8:30pm-1:30am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am

Round Table Pizza – Poway – Trivia – Poway – 6-8pm
Dirty Birds – College Area – Sunset Trivia – College Area – 8-9pm

Bahia Resort Hotel – Jehua Evans – Mission Bay – 10am-1pm
Seasons Restaurant – David Shyde – Carlsbad – 10am-1pm
L’Auberge Del Mar – Orion Song – Del Mar – 11am-2pm
La Valencia Hotel – Javid & Naoko – La Jolla – 11am-2pm
LandShark Bar & Grill – Tim Apple – Gaslamp Quarter – 11am-2pm
Fairmont Grand Del Mar – Adam J. Eros – Del Mar – 12-3pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Jonny Tarr – Escondido – 12-3pm
Coronado Ferry Landing – The Exit – Coronado – 1-4pm
Duke’s La Jolla – Kai Kalama – La Jolla – 1-4pm
Grand Ole BBQ – TK and the Dealist – El Cajon – 1-4pm
Heroes Wood-Fired Pizza – Rhy Thornton – Santa Ysabel – 1-4pm
McP’s Irish Pub Paddy-O – Suenami – Coronado – 2-5pm
Mia Marie Vineyards – Riptide – Escondido – 3-5pm
Carruth Cellars – Oceanside – Campfire Joe – Oceanside – 3-6pm
Monarch Ocean Pub – Lee Melton – Del Mar – 3-6pm
The Kraken – The Waterspots – Cardiff – 3-6pm
Winstons OB – Last Punk Show 2025 – Ocean Beach – 3-6pm
The Galley at the Marina – Manzanita Blues – Chula Vista – 3-7pm
Mainstream Bar & Grill – Poway – Full Circle – Poway – 4-6pm
Carruth Cellars – Liberty Station – Anna Ballew – Liberty Station – 4-7pm
Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa – Danielle Angeloni – La Jolla – 4-7pm
Uvas Winery – Shay Skylar – Poway – 4-7pm
Orfila Vineyards & Winery – Matt Heinecke – Escondido – 4-8pm
The Camp Store – Jagged Machine – Carlsbad – 4:15-6:15pm
Solterra Winery & Kitchen – Geoff Nigl – Encinitas – 4:30-7:30pm
Tio Leo’s Mexican Restaurant & Lounge – The Mikan Zlatkovich Quartet – Morena – 5-7pm
Kimball Bar & Eatery – Evidence Band – National City – 5-8pm
Deft Brewing | The Gärten – The Sandcasters – Morena – 5:30-8pm
Humphrey’s Backstage Live – Tony Exum Jr. – Point Loma – 6-8pm
Eddie V’s V Lounge – Craig Dawson Trio – Marina District – 6-9pm
Le Papagayo Carlsbad – Jimmy Patton – Carlsbad – 6-9pm
Le Papagayo Leucadia – Divina – Leucadia – 6-9pm
The Roxy Encinitas – Jack Attack Band – Encinitas – 6-9pm
The Shout! House – Dueling Pianos w/ Courtney & Dave & Jon – Gaslamp Quarter – 7-10pm
Lou Lou’s Club @ Lafayette Hotel – Electric Louie Land – University Heights – 7pm

American Legion Post 282 – Karaoke with TerryOke – La Mesa – 5-8pm
The Salty Frog – Karaoke – Imperial Beach – 7pm-2am
710 Beach Club – Karaoke – Pacific Beach – 8pm-12am
Winstons OB – OBoke Karaoke – Ocean Beach – 8-11pm
1st Street Bar – Karaoke – Encinitas – 9pm-1am
North Bar – Karaoke – Escondido – 9pm-1am
Pal Joey’s – Karaoke with DJ Harvest – Allied Gardens – 9pm-1am
Werewolf American Pub – Karaoke – East Village – 9pm-1am

Eastbound Bar & Grill – Trivia – Lakeside – 6:30-8:30pm

*Some events may require tickets, reservations, cover charges, or be full/sold out, and typos or errors could happen but we try our best!! …

Answer: B)
The Hotel del Coronado opened fully electrified and generated its own power using steam-driven generators on site — decades before public electric service was common in San Diego.
👉 https://www.hoteldel.com/timeline/new-technologies/

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San Diego Meteor is published every Friday morning by Steve DeLong. Steve is an Escondido High Graduate and has lived in San Diego County since 1972.