November 2008 Calendar of Events California

Friday, November 28, 2008

BAKERSFIELD - It's a Merry Christmas at Stars. The Stars Christmas show is written to be a light-hearted and fast moving revue that charms and amuses the large number of individuals and groups who come to see it. Time: 6:30 p.m. Cost: $31- $54. Location: Stars Theater, 1931 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA. Call: (661) 325-6100.

BASS LAKE - Bass Lake Christmas Tree Lighting arts and crafts fair. The event includes live musical entertainment and a festive holiday atmosphere with plenty of gift-buying opportunities for all ages. Times: Friday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Location: Pines Resort,  'Pines Village,' Bass Lake, California, just 8 miles northeast of Oakhurst and Hwy 41, 54432 Rd 432, Bass Lake, CA 93604. Cost: Free admission. thecraftfair.org

BERKELEY - Golden Dragon Acrobats. The company has traveled to over 65 countries on five continents and is recognized internationally as one of the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring companies. Time: 8 p.m. Cost:  $24 - $46. Location: UC Berkeley, Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley, CA. Call: (510) 642-9988. calperformances.org

BUENA PARK- Knotts Christmas Crafts Village. Inspirational products, holiday decor, handpainted glass, tole painting, jewelry, children's crafts and dolls, personalized gifts, stained glass, handblown glass, soaps & such, embroidery, ceramics & pottery and much more will be sold by crafters at this fair.  Hours: Open daily except Christmas. Cost: Free admission to Crafts Fair on weekdays. Location: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA. knotts.com

COSTA MESA - The Color Purple Play. Mature content in this award-winning production. Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $28.50 - 88.50. Location: Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, CA. Call: (714) 556-ARTS. ocpac.org

DEL MAR - Holiday of Lights Drive-Thru Display. Largest animated drive-through light show on the west coast features more than 400 twinkling displays at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Event runs nightly through Jan. 4, 2009.  Time:  Sundays-Thursdays, 5:30 to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Cost: $14/ car up to 5 people; $19/ vehicle of 6 or more people; $49/ bus. Location: The Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Call: (858) 755-1161. sdfair.com

FREMONT - Train of Lights is an actual train that offers a holiday light display in a 75 minute ride between Niles and Sunol. The brightly decorated holiday train, covered with thousands of lights, as it winds through the darkness of Niles Canyon on a 75-minute round-trip ride from either Niles or Sunol runs through Dec. 29, seating is limited.  Time: 4:15 & 6:45 p.m. from Niles & 4:30 & 7 p.m. from Sunol. Cost: $25. Location: Niles Station, 37001 Mission Blvd., Freemont, CA.  Sunol Depot, 6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol, CA. Call: (510) 996-8430. ncry.org

FREMONT - Niles Festival of Lights. Fremont's historic Niles district celebrates traditions with a tree lighting ceremony and annual parade of lights, complete with unique acts such as  flame-tossing jugglers, Mexican dancing horses, tap dancing trees, and the big man in red, St. Nick. Live music and snacks are also included. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Niles Boulevard at H Street, Fremont, CA. Call: (510) 792-8023. niles.org

GARDEN GROVE - The Glory of Christmas Musical. 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 - Tree Lighting Ceremony. Visit the Bella Terra mall for a tree lighting ceremony, live music with Greg Young and the 2nd Street Band, and Santa Claus. Time: 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA. bellaterra-hb.com

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Auto Show. Prototypes, domestic and imported cars, and concept cars are showcased at this premier car event. Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Location: Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA.  Cost: $10; free children 12 and under free when accompanied by adult; $7 seniors. Call: (310) 444-1850. laautoshow.com

LOS ANGELES - Holiday Light Festival Walk Only Nights. 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. A pedestrian only and vehicle free event goes through December 7. 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 - 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

OAK GLEN - Apple Butter Festival. Hands-on demonstration of apple butter making the old-time (and slow!) way - outdoors in a big copper kettle. Learn how to “start the snitz” and “add the money”, plus enjoy pioneer crafts and games, music, carriage rides, and lots more. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free admission. Call Rileys at Los Rios Rancho: (909) 797-1005 or  losriosrancho.com

OAKLAND -  Jack London Square Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Oakland’s 70-ft. Holiday Tree, pictures with Santa, arts & crafts fair, live entertainment. Kids' Jump Houses and games offer free entertainment. Time: 1 to 7 p.m. Lighting Ceremony is at 6 p.m. Location: Jack London Square (Broadway and Pavilion), Oakland, CA. jacklondonsquare.com

ORANGE - Christmas Train to Santa's Village. Hop aboard the train in Irvine Regional Park for a starlit, holiday ride to Santa's Village where you can meet Santa, take photos and enjoy many activities. Time: 5 to 8 p.m. Cost: $8, Free under 24 months. Parking for Christmas Train is free after 5 p.m. Santa photos can be purchased, or bring your own camera. Location: 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA.  Call: (714) 997-3968. irvineparkrailroad.com

PASADENA -  Pasadena’s Biggest Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival. The event kicks-off the season with the Rose Queen guest appearance, holiday sing-a-long and the official start of the Charles Cherniss Tournament of Toys. Be there when Santa arrives to light the dazzling 35-foot One Colorado Christmas tree! Location: in the Courtyard at One Colorado, Pasadena, CA. Time: 6 p.m. onecolorado.com

PASO ROBLES - Holiday Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony. Caroling, candle light, and Mrs. Claus. Time: 5:30 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: City Park,  Paso Robles, CA. pasoroblesdowntown.org

PLACERVILLE - Festival of Lights on Historic Main Street. The old-fashioned festivities begin around 5:30PM at various locations on Main Street with music, entertainment, Santa, stagecoach rides, Holly Jolly Trolley rides to outlying parking lots, and the tree-lighting at 6PM at the Courthouse. Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Call (530) 672-3436. placerville-downtown.org

REDONDO BEACH - Seaside Ice Rink. Public Skating. Santa will be available for pictures from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Skate 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
RIDGECREST - Star Party. Star Parties are an activity where members and guests come together to view the skies. If you have a telescope, bring it, if not, come and look through someone else's. They are held at a site in the open desert south of Ridgecrest. Time: 5:30 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Open Desert, Ridgecrest, CA. Go south on China Lake Boulevard 6.5 miles from its intersection with Ridgecrest Boulevard. Continue straight across Highway 395 and you will be on Brown Road (old highway 395). Follow Brown Road as it curves to the right and goes west. After 2.3 miles there will be a 30-inch orange cone on the left. Turn left and follow the dirt road marked by 12-inch cones. The China Lake Astronomical Society star party is 0.5 miles along this road. Signs and cones will be put out about a half hour before viewing starts.Call: (760) 375-7247.

ROSEVILLE - An Old Fashioned Holiday Exhibit Opening. Open House and the opening of our special exhibit at the museum. Time: Noon 12 to 4 p.m. Location: Carnegie Museum Roseville Historical Society, 557 Lincoln St, Roseville, CA. Call: (916) 773-3003. rosevillehistorical.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 FRANCISCO - The Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Public invited to the re-creation of the novel Charles Dickens novel with festive costumes, A Christmas Carol, includes live entertainment, food, music, and family fun.  Runs weekends through Dec. 21, 2008. Cost: Adult Advance Tickets $17; Child (5-11) $10. Day of: Adult: $22; | Child $10. Time: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Location: Cow Palace, East Exhibit Halls, Geneva Ave., San Francisco, CA. Call: (415) 404-4111. cowpalace.com

SAN FRANCISCO - Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting Ceremony. Holiday festivities include a visit from Santa Claus and musical entertainment. Time: Tree Lighting at 5:30 to 6 p.m.; Santa Claus Visit 5:30 to 8p.m. Call: (415) 775-5500.

SAN JOSE - Harvest Festival. 36th annual event features over 24,000 one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, gourmet foods with free samples and musical entertainment. Artist quality glass art, jewelry, ceramics and gifts sold at this holiday event. Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $9 Adult; $7 Senior 62+; $4 Youth 13-17; Free 12 and under when accompanied by an adult. One ticket is good for all three days. Location: San Jose Convention Center, 408 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose, CA. havestfestival.com

SAN JOSE - Downtown Ice. Outdoor ice skating rink for the holidays. Time: Noon to Midnight. 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

SAN RAFAEL - Parade of Lights, Tree Lighting Ceremony & Winter Wonderland. 29th Annual Parade of Lights in Downtown San Rafael begins at Fourth and “E” Streets at 5pm. Participants in the Parade of Lights will end at Courthouse Square.  This is the 19th annual free snow sledding on A Street between Fourth & Fifth Streets. The snow will be open to the public from noon to 4pm, closed during the Parade of Lights and Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony, re-opened at approximately 6pm, and closed again at 8pm. There is also a Holiday Market  from 4p to 8pm, located on Fourth Street between Lootens Place and B Street. Holiday entertainment and musical performances at different locations on Fourth Street between Lootens and “A” will be featured. Cost: Free admission. downtownsanrafael.org

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

SEAL BEACH - Christmas Tree Lighting. Seal Beach will host an annual holiday tree lighting in Eisenhower Park overlooking the beach and pier on Ocean at Main, Seal Beach, CA. Time: 4 p.m. Cost: Free admission. sealbeachchamber.org

SONORA - Sonora Christmas Festival. 34th Annual Christmas celebration is held at Sonora's Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $7.  Location: 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora, CA. Call: (209) 533-3473. fireonthemountain.com

THOUSAND OAKS - Jim Brickman Holiday Concert. Jim Brickman has earned three #1 and twelve Top 10 Adult Contemporary radio hits, consistent debuts at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s New Age chart, a Grammy nomination, SESAC "Songwriter of the Year" award, a Canadian Country Music Award for "Best Vocal/ Instrumental Collaboration," and more. For over a decade, his holiday concerts have been musical homecomings for fans of the composer, recording artist, radio personality and concert headliner. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $49 -59. Location: Fred Kavli Theatre at Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA. Call: (805) 449-ARTS (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 11 p.m. Cost: $11 - 15. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA. Call: (925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com

YOUNTVILLE -Festival of Lights. 19th annual light festival is a holiday faire featuring food, wine and entertainment throughout this Napa wine country city. Santa Claus will be on hand with visits for the children, and there will be carolers strolling, along with horse-drawn carriage rides. After dark Yountville magically lights up with thousands of twinkling lights adorning trees and shops along Washington Street. V Marketplace will be open until 8pm for holiday shopping. Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call: Yountville Chamber of Commerce, (707) 944-0904.

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