By Kevin Wilkerson, San Diego Blogger
When I first moved to Southern California several years ago, I had difficulty getting into the Christmas spirit. I mean the weather was 70 degrees, I was at the beach and even when I tried to find something “holidays-ish” I just couldn’t manage to get in the mood.
I lived in LA at the time and wen to the Grove, which was all decorated and drove around Beverly Hills but it all lacked a true holidays personality.
So when I moved to San Diego, I was expecting pretty much the same. And it was for the first couple of years. But this year, things changed. I’m so in the holiday mood I want Deccember to last forever. It will certainly have me spirited when I go to Tennessee to visit my family for Christmas.
The reason for my mood is due primarily to two things: December Nights in Balboa Park and a pop-up Christmas bar in the Gaslamp Quarter. December Nights is a San Diego holiday tradition, one that a couple of blogger friends of mine (MenWhoBlog.com) had told me about but it was canceled my first year here because of the pandemic.
I did go last year with a friend but we pretty much stopped by a big stage with cocktails so we didn’t see much of it. This year, I went by myself kind of at the last minute and was blown away by it. I went in from a different area than last time, off Park Ave., rather than across the bridge at Sixth & Laurel. There, I was immedately greeted by a big fountain lit up – beautiful – surrounded by people and pop-up tents.
I then made my way down the arched walkways of the buildings (avoiding vendors selling the usual food and stuff you get at every stree fair) and walked into an open room full of Christmas trees. I then went into another small room and girls in Santa outfits were singing and dancing.
Everywhere I turned there was something different and wonderful. A band played on a stage by the big art museum and a winter wonderoand scene was displayed on the buildng. I found myself staring at the images, which made it seem as if I were in a snowy place but without freezing to death (it was about 60 degrees by this time and I was no longer in shorts, by the way). Just a few yards away, tnside the Prado restaurant couryard, was a small room where a DJ played Christmas music.
Outside the international houses there was international food (better and cheaper than the standard vendors elsewhere, by the way) and nside the tiny houses, which are rooms of 35 countries from around the world natives of those countries were also selling food. I had no idea the buildings were open, let along serving traditional foods.
Just beyond that way-cool scene, a choir sang around a huge Christmas tree at the Spreckles Organ Pavaillion. Man, if that doesn’t get you in the holidays mood, nothing will do it. At the back of the pavillion, kiosks are set up with different manger scenes which visually tell the story of the birth of Christ.
The whole place was lit up with lights. Balboa Park is beautiful anyway and during December Nights, which is the first weekend of the month) it was spectacular. I was blown away by the whole scene. My only complaint is that it only lasts for two days on a single weekend. I wish it were twice as long.
Other parts of San Diego are gift wrapped to get one in the spirit of the season. Little Italy is decorated beautifully for the holidays and is perfect for a stroll. Ocean Beach has Christmas tree on the beach, a nice Southern California touch.
Then there’s the Christmas bar (open thru Jan. 6; then it turns into – get this – a disco bar!) which if you go early in the evening, is all Christmas music with Christmas movies playing on the TVs. There’s no football games, no NBA or ESPN on any of the TVs. That’s nice and refreshing. The decor is full of murals (Santa, the Grinch, the Indomitable Snowma), Christmas trees and large boxes wrapped as presents.
And you know what – it’s 70 degrees and in San Diego, I can still be in the Christmas mood.
Happy Holidays one and all!
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