WALLETFREE WEEKEND 12/4-6/09

Holiday celebrations are in full swing throughout the county and if you haven’t already caught the seasonal spirit, now’s the weekend to do it. From San Diego’s largest FREE event extravaganza to free holiday concerts, the following few days are bursting with FREE or ALMOST FREE things to do! Beyond these traditional holiday diversions, we’ve included other ways to take advantage of the weekend without having to always run into that jolly guy in the red suit.

Friday, December 4

Balboa Park December Nights
The sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season fill the air at Balboa Park December Nights, a two-day holiday extravaganza of food, entertainment and fun on December 4 and 5. Festivities include FREE admission to most museums and cultural attractions, carolers, bands, sparkling light displays, photo opportunities with the Grinch at The Old Globe, theater and dance performances, a  traditional Native American village and delicious foods from around the world. 5-10pm

Friday Night Liberty
Start off the weekend with FREE admission and activities, demonstrations and performances at the studios and galleries at NTC Promenade & Cultural District. This week, Friday Night Liberty invites you to try your hand at different musical instruments at the Recreational Music Center, watch Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theatre’s Trolley Dances on film, and nibble on chocolate tastings from Chi Chocolat. Also this Friday, visit the Expressive Arts Institute for their 6th Annual Art Show.

La Jolla Yoga Center
To celebrate being selected as Lululemon’s Studio of the Month, La Jolla Yoga Center is offering a special FREE Vinyasa yoga class at 5-6:30pm, followed by a live DJ and appetizers after class. LJYC instructors will then start teaching a FREE yoga class at Lululemon La Jolla on Saturdays at 8:30am.

Dime Stories
Every month, San Diego Writers presents Dime Stories, the county’s only Open Mic Prose Reading, with thought-provoking fiction that are no more than three minutes long. $5

Coronado Christmas Open House & Parade
Play in snow with the downtown San Diego skyline as your backdrop at Ferry Landing Marketplace’s Snow Mountain and watch Santa arrive by ferry to kick-off this FREE holiday celebration on Coronado. Stroll down Orange Avenue afterwards and receive holiday treats from various shops A tree lighting ceremony and free community holiday concert in Rotary Park follow the festive parade.

Holiday Tree Lighting & Winter Wonderland
The California Center for the Arts in Escondido hosts an evening of FREE family-friendly yuletide festivities with dancing lights, seasonal music, the lighting of the Center’s tree, Victorian carolers, entertainment, free cookies, a visit from Santa and a snow play area.

Saturday, December 5

Vegan Cooking Show
Calling all eco-conscious and compassionate consumers! (That’s you, right?) Feast your eyes on live cooking demonstrations that will show you how to improve your health and the environment at the same time. Vegan San Diego offers FREE monthly vegan cooking shows around the county where you’ll learn how to cook without meat and prepare delicious vegan dishes. Cooking shows include food sampling and raffle prizes, RSVP to info@vegansandiego.com.

Starlight Parade
There’s plenty o’holiday cheer at the largest nighttime parade in South County, now in its 47th year in Chula Vista. The FREE Starlight Parade, with over 5000 participants, includes school marching bands, classic cars, carolers, colorful floats, a visit from Santa, and a children’s event. Parade runs along Third Avenue, through downtown Chula Vista between H and E streets.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Stay warm and drive to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to marvel at wildlife and a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers. Anza-Borrego is located just two hours from San Diego via Highway 78 and Interstate 8.

December Nights
The sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season fill the air at Balboa Park December Nights, a two-day holiday extravaganza of food, entertainment and fun on December 4 and 5. Festivities include FREE admission to most museums and cultural attractions, carolers, bands, sparkling light displays, photo opportunities with the Grinch at The Old Globe, theater and dance performances, a recreation of a traditional Native American village and delicious foods from around the world. 12-10pm

Vista Village Fest & Christmas Parade
Get into the holiday spirit with a FREE fun-filled day of international foods, original art, designer crafts, live music , Kid’s Land, and a grand parade. At 1:30pm, a World War II airplane with fly over the crowd for an unforgettable yuletide tribute. The Village Fest runs along Main Street and Indiana Avenue, 10am – 4pm.

USO Holiday Concert
Listen to the sounds of the holidays by the Marine Band San Diego at the FREE USO Holiday Concert at the historic Balboa Theatre in downtown San Diego . The USO hosts this annual event as a token of gratitude to those who have volunteered or donated to the USO throughout the year. Concert starts at 2pm.

Ocean Beach Holiday Parade
For a more laid back day at the beach, keep your Santa hat on and head to Ocean Beach for its 30th annual parade that travels along Newport Avenue at 5:05pm (OB Time). Beforehand, bring the family over to the Kids Fun Zone in the OB Pier parking lot, open 7am-3pm.

North Park Toyland Parade and Band Competition
Check out one of the coolest parades in the county with marching bands, beauty queens, dancing troupes, dog clubs, classic cars, historic police cars, and fire trucks. The parade starts at 11am along University Avenue between Idaho and Iowa Streets.

South Park Holiday Walkabout
This quarterly walkabout takes on a seasonal twist this Saturday with lights and holiday specials throughout South Park, a charming neighborhood with fine Craftsman architecture, wide sidewalks, coffeeshops, taverns and a funky atmosphere. You’ll also enjoy live musical entertainment, extended shop hours (many that offer FREE refreshments) and specials, plus a FREE trolley from 6-10pm to get you around the area (though we believe it’s much more fun to explore on foot).

Sunday, December 6

Chili Cook-off and Pottery Sale
Pottery and chili make a zesty pair this Sunday at the San Diego Ceramic Connection’s Annual Chili Cook-off and Pottery Sale. Buy a bowl handmade by one of the SDCC artists (large bowls $10, small bowls $7), fill it up with all-you-can-taste chili, taste and vote for your favorite, then take your bowl home! You’ll also get to taste and vote on the best cornbread (that’s where I’ll be), cookies/brownies and cake or pie. Fifty percent of all the chili bowl sales are donated to the McKinley Elementary School Art Fund.

Charity Workouts
Every Sunday at 9:30am, Charity Workouts meets in Balboa Park for a donation-based and rigorous boot camp workout. All donations are voluntary, but a minimum of $5 is your best bet. All proceeds go to a local charity that supports outdoor experiences for underprivileged youth. Keeping fit while supporting a worthwhile cause? Breaking a sweat never sounded so good. Located at 6th and Redwood in Balboa Park.

La Jolla Christmas Parade & Lighting Festival
Delight in celebrating the season close to the sea. This downtown La Jolla holiday event includes vintage automobiles, floats, equestrian units, games with Santa, bouncy jumps, and marching bands. Parade starts at 2pm and travels from Girard Ave to Draper Ave.

CorePower Yoga
Escape the holiday hustle and bustle with FREE 75-minute yoga classes offered by CorePower Yoga in Point Loma and Hillcrest. These rejuvenating classes are geared for beginners, but are open to all levels. The complimentary class at the Point Loma studio is offered every Sunday 12-1:15pm, while Hillcrest hosts its free class on Sundays at 1:30-2:45pm.

Hanukkah Happening
Join the Jewish community in celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights that lasts for eight days. San Diego’s largest Hanukkah celebration is the 26th Annual Hanukkah Happening at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. The festival includes kosher foods, crafts, carnival games, raffle prizes, auction, and youth activities. 11am – 2pm.

Temecula’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate with Temecula residents as they get to see their new Town Square for the first time at the official ribbon cutting ceremony in Old Town Temecula. Plus, listen to live music from The Answer and enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, and seasonal sweets. Celebration runs 2-6pm.