November 2008 Calendar of Events California

Saturday, November 29, 2008

ANAHEIM - Disneyland's Holiday Celebration includes Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle, “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks show, Santa’s Reindeer Round-up, A Christmas Fantasy parade, Haunted Mansion Holiday and It’s a Small World holiday. Time: 8 a.m. to Midnight. Location: 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA.

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

CAPITOLA - Surfing Santa arrives. Santa and his Reindeer surf into Capitola main beach at noon. Be sure to bring your camera to capture Santa's wave-riding arrival. Once Santa has dried off, he will visit with all the children and hear their holiday wishes. Location: Main Beach in Capitola Village. Time: Noon, 12 p.m.

COPPEROPOLIS - Christmas Tree Lightings. Join everyone (including Mr. & Mrs. Santa) to get a look at the new shops during an open house before the tree lighting ceremony begins.  Time: 3 - 7 p.m. (Lighting is at 5:30 p.m.) Cost: Free. Location: Town Square, Copperopolis, CA.

COSTA MESA - Crossroads of the West Gun Show. Time: Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: Adults $12, Seniors $11, children under 12 are admitted free with an adult. Location: Buildings 10, 12, 14 and 16, and Parade of Products and Main Mall, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA. Call: (801) 544-9125. ocfair or crossroadsgunshows.com

COSTA MESA - Fiesta Navidad. Join Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano as they perform Fiesta Navidad at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The mariachi tradition of Nati Cano and Mariachi Los Camperos is one of the finest in the world. Fiesta Navidad takes you on a musical journey through the various regions of Mexico while exploring holiday customs through music, song, and dance. Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $30 -95. Location: Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, CA. Call: (714) 556-ARTS. ocpac.org

COSTA MESA - The Color Purple Play. Mature content in this award-winning production. Time: 2 & 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. Over 400 twinkling displays at Del Mar Fairgrounds.  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

EUREKA - Craftsman's Days. Living history and artisan fair where guests learn about the traditional arts of blacksmithing, woodworking, ceramics and much more. Demonstrations in the traditional arts include blacksmithing, woodworking, spinning.  Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Blue Ox Millworks Historic Park, 1 X Street, Eureka, CA . Call: (800) 248-4259. blueoxmill.com

FAIRFIELD - Jelly Belly Tree Lighting Ceremony. Kick off the holiday season with the lighting of a 40-foot Christmas Tree! Lots of family friendly entertainment, music and fun! A highlight of the evening is welcoming Santa Claus, himself, to the Visitor Center! Activities begin at 5:30pm The Visitor Center will be open until 7:30pm. Tours and the Jelly Belly Cafe will observe extened hours. Location: Jelly Belly Visitor Center, One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, CA. jellybelly.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

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

GEYSERVILLE - Tree Lighting Ceremony. Lighting of Olive Trees , Arrival of Santa on Big Red Engine, Carols Led by Geyserville Christian Church Singers, Collection Barrels for Gifts for Children & Teenagers and afterward the local galleries, tasting rooms, shop and restaurants are open, serving refreshments in an open house. Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Downtown Geyserville, California. geyservillecc.com

HOLLISTER - Lights on Celebration Tree Lighting and Parade. This annual event features a ceremonial lighting of downtown buildings and trees, a parade, merchant open house, Santa's Village, live entertainment, and the arrival of Mr. & Mrs. Claus! Time: 5 p.m. Location: Downtown Hollister, CA. Call: (831) 636-8406. downtownhollister.org

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Smooth Jazz Holiday Concert. Features Norman Brown's Jazz Christmas with musicians Eric Darius, Jeff Lorber, and SHILTS. Time: 7 p.m. Cost: $55- 145. Location: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa, 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA. Call: (714) 377-7574. bbjazz.com

JULIAN - Living Christmas Tree Lighting. Julian celebrates the holiday season with a program of Christmas carols sung by local vocalists.  Santa arrives aboard a fire engine just before 6, when the tree is lit. The tree lighting set to take place in Julian’s Pioneer Park at 6 p.m., marks the beginning of the annual Julian Country Christmas celebration, three weeks of holiday festivity. Time: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Location: Pioneer Park, Julian, CA. Call: (760) 765-1857. julianca.com

LAKE ISABELLA - Lake Isabella Christmas Parade. Santa Claus ushers in the holiday season with an old fashioned community parade. Time: 9 a.m. to Noon. Cost: Free. Location: Lake Isabella, CA. Call: (760) 379-5236.

LONG BEACH - Chicago City Limits Comedy Performance. This is New York's longest running comedy revue.  Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $35. Location: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach, CA. Call: (562) 985-7000. carpenterarts.org

LONG BEACH - Santa Arrives. Santa will appear every Saturday and Sunday till Christmas. Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Marketplace Long Beach, 6501 E. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH & 2nd St.), Long Beach, CA. Call: (562) 431-6282. longbeachmarketplace.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 - Miniature Railroad to Santa's House. Passengers will leave the station aboard an enchanted train and will arrive at the North Pole within minutes, and will visit Santa's festively decorated house with brilliant light displays and holiday scenes to get you in the holiday mood. Cost: $6/ train ride & small gift from Santa; infants under 19 mths free. Location: Travel Town Museum (Griffith Park) 5200 Zoo Drive Los Angeles, CA. Call: (323) 913-4688.

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

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 - Little Tokyo Walking Tour. Relive history and learn about present-day Little Tokyo with National Museum docents .Time: 10:15 a.m. Cost: $13, includes Museum admission. Comfortable walking shoes and clothes recommended, weather permitting. Location: Japanese American National Museum, 369 East First Street, Los Angeles, California. Call: (213) 625-0414. janm.org

LOS ANGELES - Blood & Dumplings. Esotouric offers a tour with narration voted one of the best entertainment values in Los Angeles.  Check in is at 11:30am for a 12pm sharp departure from the Lincoln Heights/Cypress Gold Line Metro station. Call: (310) 995-4591. Price: $63. esotouric.com

LOS ANGELES - Reindeer at the Zoo. See Santa, make reindeer antlers and see live reindeer at this holiday event each weekend through December. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $7-12 (kids 2 & under free). Location: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Call: (323) 644-4200. lazoo.org

MALIBU -  Westside Ballet Nutcracker is one of the longest running Nutcracker Ballets in California. Time: 2 pm and 7:30 pm. Location: Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA.    Tickets are $26 through ticketmaster.com/ westsideballet.com

MCCLOUD - McCloud Dog and Pony Show Parade. Awards for all kids and free hot apple cider. Stick Pony Contest, meet "Sparky" the Fire Dog, dress up in costumes and come have fun on Thanksgiving weekend.  Time: 12 Noon. Cost: No entry fee. Location: Main Street, McCloud, CA. mccloudchamber.com

NAPA - Napa's Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade. Napa's 45th Holiday Parade begins at Napa City Hall, winding its way from downtown Napa and ending at COPIA (The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts) for a fun Tree Lighting Party. Santa and floats in the Nutcracker Sweets Parade end at Copia for hot chocolate and cookies, tree lighting with the Mayor, caroling and dance performances. Time: Parade goes from 5 to 6 p.m. Tree lighting is held at the end of the parade. Cost: Free. Call: (707) 257-0322. napadowntown.com.

NAPA - Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House. Time: Noon to 2 p.m. Cost: $35. Location: COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, 500 First Street, Napa, CA. Call: (888) 512-6742. copia.org

OAK GLEN - Apple Butter Hoedown. Rileys at Los Rios Rancho celebrates the bounty of the harvest season with its fourth annual Apple Butter Hoedown. The Riley's Mountaineers band will pick, fiddle, and sing traditional bluegrass, Western, and gospel tunes, and dance caller Dennis Riley will lead guests through old-fashioned, kick-up-your-heels polkas, quadrilles, reels, and waltzes. A delicious meal of pumpkin bread and Harvest Soup is included with admission. The hoedown is part of the Thanksgiving weekend Apple Butter Festival, which runs from November 28th through the 30th. The hoedown begins at 6 p.m. Ticket: $25 adult; $18 child 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling Rileys at Los Rios Rancho: (909) 797-1005 or  losriosrancho.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

RED BLUFF - Red Bluff Christmas Parade. This festive and annual parade features floats, equestrian entries, bands, marching groups and Santa Claus! Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Downtown Red Bluff, CA. Call: (530) 527-6220.

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: 10 a.m. to 10 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 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: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.;  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 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 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

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

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 - An Irish Christmas.
The brilliance of the dance as Riverdance stars Darren Maguire and Maeve Croke join in the fun, the sacred moments, stories of Christmas, Irish Christmas carols, the music of the uilleann pipes, Irish flutes, bodhráns and Celtic fiddles. Time: 8 p.m. Cost: $24 -51. Location: Fred Kavli Theatre - Thousand Oaks Civic Arts, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA. Call: (805) 449-2787. civicartsplaza.com

VACAVILLE - Christmas in my Home Town. Reminiscent of the holiday specials presented by Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra, enjoy music and dance.  Time: 7 p.m. Cost: $25.  Location: Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Dr., Vacaville, CA. Call: (707) 449-6217. vpat.net

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

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.

YREKA - Yreka Holiday Parade. Annual Yreka parade is the largest daytime holiday parade in northern California & southern Oregon. Time: 11 a.m. Location:  downtown historical district, Yreka, CA. Call: (530) 842-1649. shastacascade.org

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