November 2009 Events

Saturday

BENICIA - Benicia Ballet Nutcracker. Benicia Ballet Theatre's 19th annual Nutcracker. Time: 2 & 7 p.m. Cost:  Location: Hogan High School Theater, 850 Rosewood Avenue, Vallejo, CA. Cost: $20; $15 student age 18 & under, seniors age 55 & over. Benicia-Ballet.org. see more Nutcrackers

BRENTWOOD - Brentwood Holiday On Ice. Twinkling outdoor light-filled rink under a big tent. Located next to the Streets of Brentwood shops, public ice skating goes to Jan. 10. Cost: $10, $5 skate rental. Hours: Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun - 12:30 to 10 p.m. approx.; Mon, Tues, Thurs - 2 to 9 p.m. Location: Call: (925) 513-1702. brentwoodholidayonice.com

EUREKA - Craftsman's Days. Learn more about Blacksmithing, Woodworking, Spinning and traditional arts such as ceramics. Live music and home-style cooking. Fun for the whole family. Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Blue Ox Millworks, 1 X Street, Eureka, CA. (Call: 800) 248-4259

CAPITOLA - Surfing Santa. Santa & his reindeer surf into Capitola Beach. Bring your Christmas list to review with Santa. Candy Canes for everyone! Time: Noon. Location: Capitola Beach, Capitola Village, California. Call:  (831) 475-6522. capitolachamber.com

CORONADO - Skating by The Sea. Three-hour skating sessions will be offered daily from 2 to 5 pm and 6 to 9 pm. A special matinee skating sessions from 11 am to 1 pm will occur on weekends and holidays. 3-hour session: Prices based on previous years, and may be different in 2009: $20/adults; $15/ages 10 years and under; 2-hour matinee session $15/adult; $10/ages 10 years and under. Skate rental is $5 per person. Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA.  Call: 800 Hotel Del or  (619) 435-6611

COSTA MESA - Here Comes Santa. Every weekend through December 20, meet and get a free photo with Santa Claus from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when you bring unwrapped toy or clothing to Orange County Market Place. Free holiday puppet shows presented by Mitchell Marionettes on Nov. 28 & 29 and Dec. 19 & 20. All events are free with swap meet admission, which is $2 and free for children 12 and under. In its 40th year, the Orange County Market Place is held every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a .m. to 4 p.m. at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa and includes nearly 1,000 vendors selling an assortment of merchandise and services, a produce market, children’s play area, Artisans’ and Crafters’ Corner, hair salon and a variety of food concessions. Location: Orange County Market Place, 88 Fair Drive - Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Call 949-723-6616. ocmarketplace.com

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa Crossroads of the West Gun Show. Is held Nov 28-29, 2009  Crossroads of the West Gun Show at Orange County Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa, CA. Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: $14, under age 11 free. Parking is $5. Location: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. Call: (801) 544-9125. crossroadsgunshows.com. see more gun shows in California

CRESTLINE - Christmas Tree Lighting.  Christmas carols, Santa Claus, hot cocoa & coffee & cookies, and the countdown to lighting the giant tree across Lake Gregory. Sometimes there’s even snow! Time: 5 p.m.

CUPERTINO - Great Russian Nutrcracker with Moscow Ballet. Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker returns on its world tour with several one-day performances in California. Time: 3 p.m. Cost: $27.50- 100. Location: 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014. Charge by phone: (408) 864-8816. nutcracker.com

DEL MAR - Holiday of Lights Drive Thru. Head to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for a spectacular lights show visible by car. This event is one of the most popular holiday displays of the season. Runs nightly through Jan. 3, 2010. Time: Daily at 5:30 p.m. Ends at 10 p.m. Sun-Thurs; 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday. Cost: $14 car of 6 people or less; $19 more than 6; $49 bus. Location: 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA. Tickets: (858) 792-4252. Weather closure: (858) 793-5555.

FAIRFIELD - Jelly Belly Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Santa and friends light Christmas tree along with musical performances, entertainment, and candy factory tours. Time: 5:30 - 8 p.m. Location: 1 Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, CA.

FALLBROOK - Christmas 2009. In Historic Downtown Fallbrook, A Joyful Traditions event brings Santa's arrival from  4:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Carriage Rides 4 to 7p.m.; and Carolers from  4 to 7 p.m. Location:  Village Square at the corner of Main & Alvarado, Fallbrook, CA. findfallbrook.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH -  Cool Yule Christmas. Smooth Jazz Concert features Nick Colionne and Maysa with special guest Shilts. Time: 7 and 9:30 p.m. shows. Cost: $40 general; $55 row 5-7; $80 VIP dinner row 1-4. Location: Huntington Beach Library Theatre, 7111 Talbert Huntington Beach, CA 92648. Call: (714) 377-7574. bbjazz.com

HUNTINGTON BEACH - Wetlands Gardening - Enjoy the Great Outdoors while helping to restore the Bolsa Chica Wetlands! Help restore native plant communities through non-native plant removal, and cleanup efforts. Don't forget to bring: Drinking water, wear closed toed shoes, layered clothing you don't mind getting dirty, and protection from the sun. Time: 9 a.m. to Noon. Cost: Volunteer, no cost. Location: Bolsa Chica Conservancy Interpretive Center: 3842 Warner Ave.Huntington Beach, CA 92649 R.S.V.P. at (714) 846-1114 or email: info@bolsachica.org. bolsachica.org

KERNVILLE - Christmas Parade. Annual Christmas Parade at Lake Isabella. Kernville, CA. kernvillechamber.org

LAGUNA BEACH - Saw Dust Festival Winter Fantasy Art Show Opens, Community Tree Light Ceremony. 4 weekends only, this annual event features art gifts for sale for the holidays. Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $6 adult. Location: Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA. Info: (949)494-3030. sawdustartfestival.org

LONG BEACH - Crystal Ice Skating Outdoor Rink. New in 2009 for the holidays, daily skating at The Pike is held in the grass area. Ice skate session receives parking validation.  Time: Mon-Friday 11am to 11pm; Sat. & Sunday 10am to 12am. Cost:? Location: Shoreline Drive & Queensway Bay, Long Beach, CA. thepikeatlongbeach.com

LOS ANGELES - Downtown on Ice at Pershing Square. Biggest rink and cheapest price, according to the city of Los Angeles Parks & Rec department, which invites you to come skate amidst the skyscrapers. Time: Monday -Thursday 12 Noon to 10 p.m.; Friday thru Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: $6/ 1 hour rink time, $2 skate rental. Location: Pershing Square, Los Angeles, CA. laparks.org

MALIBU - Westside Ballet Nutcracker Ballet. A West Los Angeles Family Tradition Celebrates its 37th Year, Westside Ballet’s 2009 Nutcracker will be hosted in two locations. It will first appear at the Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University on November 28 & 29. The other performances will be on Dec. 12 & 13 in Wadsworth Theater, Brentwood. Nov. 28: 2 & 7 p.m. Location: 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA. Call 310-828-6211 for tickets or westsideballet.com.

ORANGE - Irvine Park Railroad Holiday Train. Time: Daily. Cost: Parking Fee. Free admission, fees charged for train rides and activities.

PASADENA -  Pasadena's biggest holiday celebration with over 50 store promotions, contests, give-aways and more. Cost: Free. Location: Parking at 45 S. De Lacey Avenue, Pasadena, CA. Call (626) 356-9725. oldpasadena.org

PETALUMA - Santa's Riverboat Arrival. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Petaluma Riverfront onboard the tug, Petaluma, to greet the children and distribute candy canes. Time: Noon. Location: Historic Downtown Petaluma Petaluma River Turning Basin, Petaluma, CA. Cost: Free. Call: (707) 769-0429. visitpetaluma.com

PETALUMA - Antique Wagon and Horse Procession. See a procession of antique wagons and decorated horse teams joined with modern riders and horse teams with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their one-horse sleigh leading the way through Historic Downtown from 4th and B Streets north to E. Washington Street, turning south on Petaluma Blvd. No. and back to the starting point. Procession led by Santa begins anywhere between 1 and 1:30 p.m., shortly after Santa’s arrival by boat in the Petaluma River Turning Basin. Time: 1 p.m. Cost: Free. Location: Starts at 4th and B Streets Historic Downtown Petaluma, Petaluma, CA. Call: 707-769-0429

REDONDO BEACH - Seaside Ice Rink is open for outdoor beach ice skating next to the sunshine and sand. seasideice.com

SAN DIEGO - Surfing Santa Arrives. The Big Guy surfs into Seaport Village. Time: 1 p.m. Cost: Free. seaportvillage.com

SAN DIEGO - SeaWorld Holiday Collection. Breakfast with Shamu and Santa. Santa makes an appearance during the event. Cost is $26/10 and older; $16 age 3 to 9 years (tax, gratuity & park admission not included). Dates are Nov. 27-29; Dec. 5-6; Dec. 12-13; and Dec. 19-22.

SAN FRANCISCO - Teatro ZinZanni presents Brevé. Teatro ZinZanni brunch with a twist on alternate Saturdays. Enjoy an abridged version of Under the Gypsy Moon, together with a three-course gourmet brunch designed by Chef Patrick Fassino. Time: 11:30 a.m. to  1:30 pm. Cost: $63-$78. Location: Pier 29 on The Embarcadero at Battery, San Francisco, CA. Call: (415) 438-2668. love.zinzanni.org

SANTA ANA - Head to Toe: All About Your Body. Explore the science under your skin with Taco Bell Discovery Science Center’s exhibit that includes five interesting body topics-- skeletons, organs, the senses, keeping healthy and general body facts. Hours: 10am – 5pm. Cost: $9.95 Age 2 to Teen; $12.95 Adult . Location: 2500 North Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705. Call: (714) 542-2823. discoverycube.org

WALNUT CREEK - Downtown Walnut Creek on Ice. Ice skating rink outdoor. Fun for all ages.  Time: Open daily at 11 a.m. Cost: Mon-Thurs $11-15. Location: 1365 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, Ca. Call: ( 925) 935-7669. iceskatewalnutcreek.com