December 2008 Events California

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

BRENTWOOD - Holiday on Ice. Outdoor seasonal ice rink offers outdoor fun. Twinkling outdoor light-filled rink under a big tent. Time: 2:30 -10:30 p.m. Cost: $10; $5/skate rental. brentwoodholidayonice.com

BUENA PARK- Knotts Christmas Crafts Village. Holiday decor, gifts, strolling carolers and visits from Santa are included in this unique once-a-year shopping extravaganza.  Hours: Open daily except Christmas. Cost (Monday through Friday): $10 adult; $5 senior; $5 age 3-11. Must pay park admission to access fair on weekends. Location: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA. knotts.com

BURBANK - Buckingham Toy Soldier Band. This seasonal band and other holiday entertainment perform  in Downtown Burbank. Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Location: AMC movie theater. downtown-burbank.org

DEL MAR - Holiday of Lights Drive-Thru Display. Largest animated show on the West Coast features over 400 displays. Time: 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Fri & Sat open till 11 p.m. Cost: $14/ car (up to 5 people). Location: The Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Call: (858) 755-1161. sdfair.com

GARDEN GROVE - The Glory of Christmas Musical. Discount Night. A blend of Christmas carols, pageantry, live animals, flying angels, and special effects unfold in the nativity story. Location: Crystal Cathedral, 12141 Lewis St., Garden Grove, CA. Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $20-45. Call: 714-54-GLORY (714-544-5679) or 877-544-5679. crystalcathedral.org
HUNTINGTON BEACH - Jazz at Stage West. Tom Kubis will direct this Improvisation Workshop. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $Free. Location: Golden West College Stage West, 15744 Golden West Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92647. Call: (714) 714-895-8150 x1. gwctheater.com

LONG BEACH  - Harbor Lights Christmas Cruise. See the decorated homes and boats of Naples Island on a one-hour cruise aboard the 140 passenger Party Boat, The Star. Offering a cash bar with beer, wine, cocktails and snacks for kids, there's also some sweets, cocoa and foods to munch on for adults.  Christmas Cruise departs from Alamitos Bay Landing, 140 Marina Dr., Long Beach, CA 90803. Call for times: (562) 799-7000. Tickets: $10 -15. reggaeboat.com

LOS ANGELES - Holiday Light Festival. 13th Annual Los Angeles Department of Water and Power holiday lights event in Griffith Park is a display of lights spanning a mile of Crystal Springs Drive. The driving route, walking and shuttles all run December 8 through December 30. Shuttle buses will be available weekends and December 19-30. Walkers on these days will enjoy the walking path. Both options are accessible from the Los Angeles Zoo parking lot. Time: 5 to 10 p.m.  Location: 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Call: (213) 367-1255. dwplightfestival.com

LOS ANGELES - Carmen, the Opera. Emmanuel Villaume conducts the Los Angeles Opera presentation of this stage favorite is about a gypsy temptress, set in 19th-century Seville, Spain. Time: 1 p.m. Cost: $20 to $250. Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA.  Call: (213) 972-8001. laopera.com

LOS ANGELES - Downtown on Ice. Holiday ice rink is an annual event with free concerts and paid ice skating at temporary rink constructed at Pershing Square near the Civic Center. Rink is open daily through Jan. 19, 2009. Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Cost: $6/ adult, $3 child 4 to 12, free age 3 & under. Location: Pershing Square 532 South Olive Drive Los Angeles, CA. Call: (213) 847-4968. laparks.org

OXNARD - Holiday Lights on the Water at Channel Islands Harbor. The Channel Islands Harbor Water Taxi offers "Holiday Lights on the Water" charters with one-hour tours of the sparkling waterways that reflect the lights from decorated homes in the channel. Time: 6  & 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10. Call: Call: (805) 985-5828. channelislandsharbor.org

REDONDO BEACH - Seaside Ice Rink. Public Skating and Ruby's Diner 50's Night features 50's Music, Skating, and Games! Best 50's Costume wins Ruby's Burger, Fries, and Soft Drink! Time: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Cost to skate: $12 - 14. Location: Seaside Lagoon, 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA. Parking at 181 N. Harbor Drive Call: (310) 318-6300. seasideice.com

SAN CARLOS - Tree Lighting and Holiday Traditions - 20th Annual holiday program of outdoor entertainment with refreshments following at the San Carlos Adult Community Center and a visit from Santa. Bring a non-perishable food donation for the Mayor's Food Drive and/or an unwrapped toy for the Youth Advisory Council's Toy Drive. Time: 7 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: City Hall Park, Corner of Elm Street and San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA. Call: (650) 802-4382. sancarloschamber.org

SAN DIEGO - Fantasy on Ice. Holiday public ice skating rink at Horton Plaza. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Location: 225 Broadway, San Diego, CA. sdice.com

SAN DIEGO - Skating by the Sea. Hotel del Coronado resort offers outdoor ice-skating overlooking the Pacific! Time:  2 to 5 p.m. & 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $20/adult; $15/child age 10 & under; matinee session: $15/adult; $10/child; Skate Rental: $5. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado Island, CA. hoteldel.com

SAN JOSE - Downtown Ice. Outdoor ice skating rink for the holidays. Time: 5 to 10 p.m. Cost: $15/ adult. $13/ youth 12 and under. Admission includes rental skates and ice time. Runs through Jan. 11, 2009. Location:  120 S. Market St., San Jose, CA. Call:  (408) 279-1775. sjdowntown.com

SANTA ANA - The Science of Gingerbread. Discovery Science Center annual exhibit. Study it and build a gingerbread  creation in the Science of Gingerbread. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $9 - 13, plus $3 parking. Location: 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA. discoverycube.org

STANFORD - A Chanticleer Christmas Concert. One of Lively Arts most popular programs of the year brings the return of the Grammy-winning "orchestra of voices" for a Christmas celebration. The 12-man a cappella ensemble explores centuries of holiday repertoire, from medieval and Renaissance works to traditional Christmas spirituals and the world's best-loved carols, injecting inspiration and flawless execution. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $34- 38. Location: Memorial Church, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA. Call: (650) 725-2787. livelyarts.stanford.edu

THOUSAND OAKS - Larry the Cable Guy Comedy. Rough 'n Southern comedy from the guy who says, Git 'r done.  Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $52.75. Location: Fred Kavli Theatre - Thousand Oaks Civic Arts, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA. Call: (805) 449-2787. civicartsplaza.com

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice. This seasonal ice skating rink offers holiday exercise and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost: $11 - 15. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA. Call: (925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com

WALNUT CREEK - Holidays at Shadelands Faire and Teas.  Walnut Creek Historical Society annual decorated, historic home, will be filled with high-quality crafts and specialty holiday items for sale. Hand-made gifts and quilts, clothing, jewelry, porcelain, and gourmet foods are only a few of the items available. Admission to the house and vendors is free, and free parking is available.  A high tea three-course luncheon will be served in the parlor and dining room daily at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., for $28 per person. Time: a.m. to 4 p.m. Call: (925) 935-7871. Location: 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA. 

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