November 2008 Calendar of Events California

Sunday, November 30, 2008

ARROYO GRANDE - Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony & Concert. The annual Christmas event begins with a concert at the Rotary Bandstand in the Nelson Green from 3:30 to 5 p.m.  A small-town parade then follows, and next, a Tree Lighting ceremony. Time: 3:30 - 7 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Downtown District, Arroyo Grande, CA. Call: (805) 473-2250. arroyograndevillage.org

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: 12:30 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

COSTA MESA - The Color Purple Play. Mature content in this award-winning production. Time: 1 & 6:30 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

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

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 thru Jan. 4, 2009.  Time: 5:30 to 10 p.m.; open till  11 p.m. Fri & Sat nights. 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

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

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: 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. Cost: $20-45. Call: 714-54-GLORY (714-544-5679) or 877-544-5679. crystalcathedral.org
HOLLYWOOD - Hollywood's Santa Parade. Holiday parade with floats, marching bands, equestrian units,
celebrities and, of course, Santa Claus. The parade has been in existence since 1928. This year the parade will travel Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset between Highland and Vine in Hollywood, CA. Address: Hollywood Boulevard and Highland, Hollywood, CA. Time: 5 p.m. Cost: Grandstand seating $35 each; curbside seating free. Call: (866) PARADE1. hollywoodsantaparade.com

IRVINE - An Irish Christmas. Presented by Kerry Records, Riverdance stars Darren Maguire and Maeve Croke headline a concert of Irish Christmas carols, stories, uileann pipes and Celtic fiddles. Time: 2 p.m. Tickets: $48, $40 adults; $28, $22 children. Location: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4646 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA. Call: (949) 854-4646. thebarclay.org

LEMOORE - Tree Raising and Holiday Festival. Time: 6 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Fox & D streets, Lemoore, CA. Call: (559) 924-6401. lemoorechamberofcommerce.com

LONG BEACH - Santa Claus Visits. 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 - 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

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 - 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: 2 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

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Auto Show. Prototypes, domestic and imported cars, and concept cars are showcased at this premier car event. Time: 9 a.m. to 8 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. Call: (310) 444-1850. laautoshow.com

MALIBU -  Westside Ballet Nutcracker is one of the longest running Nutcracker Ballets in California. Time: 1:30 & 5:30 p.m. Location: Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA. Tickets are $26 through ticketmaster.com/ westsideballet.com

NAPA - Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House. Time: Noon to 2 p.m. Cost: $35; extra house $25; extra kid or adult $10. 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 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

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

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

SALINAS - Holiday Parade of Lights, One City, Many Cultures. Revelers weave through Oldtown by float, car, horse or foot in the community parade which offers float lessons to entrants who pay a fee to participate. Time: 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: Free to attend. Location: South Main to Salinas Street, Salinas, CA.  salinasparade.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: $15/adult; $10/child; Skate Rental: $5. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado Island, CA. hoteldel.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 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 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.

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 5 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

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.

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice. This seasonal ice skating rink offers holiday exercise and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Time: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cost: $11 - 15. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA. Call: (925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com

YUBA CITY - Handel's Messiah. Handel's Messiah will be performed by the Yuba-Sutter Oratorio Society. Time: 4 p.m. Reservations, call (530) 742-1904. Location: St. Isidore Catholic Church, Yuba City, CA.

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