Here are the top events taking place in San Diego from Thursday, December 16 to Sunday, December 19.

On the My Bluegrass Heart tour, banjo player Béla Fleck returned to San Diego to showcase the genre that opened his Grammy Award-winning decades of music career: Bluegrass. The concert will focus on the well-loved songs of the genre, including an all-star band-mandolinist Sam Bush, Dubro player Jerry Douglas, violinist Stuart Duncan, bassist Edgar Meyer and guitarist Brian Sutton. The required vaccination certificate or COVID test is negative. Thursday night at 8 o'clock. Balboa Theater 868 Fourth Avenue, downtown. US$33 to US$68; sandiegotheatres.org.

Botanical Wonderland at San Diego Botanical Garden

The botanical wonderland returns to the San Diego Botanical Garden, turning the lush land into a shimmering holiday wonderland. Family-friendly activities include a one-mile light trail that takes guests through the garden’s waterfall, gazebo lawn, children’s garden and other areas, taking photos with Santa Claus (5:30 pm to 8:30 pm before Christmas), hands-on Practicing children’s activities, including writing letters to Santa Claus, live carolers, and various food and beverage vendors. December 23 and December 26-30 from 5:30 to 9 pm. San Diego Botanical Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. US$10-22; children under two years old are free. sdbgarden.org/botanic-wonderland.htm You need to purchase tickets in advance.

Stop at Laugh Factory to watch "The Tammy Tour: One Trailer at a Time", a comedy film 18 years and older starring Chelcie Lynn. Thursday night at 8 pm, Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 pm and 10 pm. The Laugh Factory, 432 F St., Gaslamp. Laugh Factory.com/clubs/san-diego

JP Sears of American Comedy Company

As a YouTube user, his videos have been viewed more than 300 million times, and JP Sears prides itself on thoughtful satirical videos that satirize modern life and politics. Catch him because he made the headlines of nine shows this weekend. Thursday at 8 pm, Friday at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm, Saturday at 5 pm, 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm; Sunday at 5, 7 and 9 pm. American Comedy Company, located at 818 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp. Starting at $30; American Comedy Network

Golden State Ballet presents "The Nutcracker"

This classic work was choreographed by Jared Nelson, the former artistic director of California Ballet. Professionals and more than 50 students from the award-winning academy will dance to the Tchaikovsky score performed by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Thursday and Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 1:00 pm and 5:30 pm; December 21st at 7:30 pm; December 22nd to 23rd at 2 pm O'clock and 7:30. San Diego Municipal Theater, 1100 Third Avenue, downtown. USD 28.50-109; sandiegotheatres.org.

The opening has been postponed to 2pm on Saturday. Check out Goldenstateballet.org for the latest information.

Read more: On the stage, the return of the "Nutcracker" and the birth of the ballet

"A Cuban Christmas Story for a People"

OnStage Playhouse shows the last weekend of the San Diego Repertory Theatre artist Herbert Siguenza’s reimagining of Charles Dickens’s vacation story in Cuba in the 1950s, in which "Ezequiel Scrooge" is an American sugar tycoon who fought to control workers before the Cuban Revolution . It features classic Cuban Christmas music. Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Sunday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. 291 Third Avenue, Chula Vista. USD 22.50-25. (619) 422-7787. onstageplayhouse.org

Holiday Glow Ball (Ugly Christmas Sweater Edition)

Bring your golf clubs and ugly Christmas sweater to this special Holiday Glow Ball (Ugly Christmas Sweater Edition) with You & Yours Distilling Co. at The Loma Club. The popular Glow Ball is held in the evening at the illuminated course of The Loma Club's nine-hole golf course. A welcome hot toddy and festive canned cocktail taster will be provided. Check-in: 6 pm; Shotgun start: 7 pm The Loma Club, 2960 Truxtun Road, Liberty Station. US$40; thelomaclub.com.

K-Pop fans: Get ready to dance all night with the best artists of the genre, including popular songs from BTS. Friday night at 9 o'clock. Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd., Normal Heights. $25.50; sodabarmusic.com. Complete vaccination certificate or COVID test negative within 72 hours before entry. All participants need to wear masks.

Get ready to shake it with Lil Jon, like he spins in one of San Diego's favorite nightclubs. Friday night at 10 o'clock. Parq Nightclub, 615 Broadway, downtown. USD 24.74; parqsd.com

Do you want to turn green this year? The beloved actor, comedian, and marijuana rights activist Tommy Chong will hang out at two locations in San Diego, March and Ash, to meet and greet fans. When you are there, check out his THC and CBD product lines. 21+. Friday 11 am to 12:30 pm (City Heights), 2 pm to 4 pm (Chula Vista). March and Ash: 2281 Fairmount Avenue, City Heights and 684 Telegraph Canyon Road, Chula Vista. Reply on Marchandash.com/chong for more information

Family movie with San Diego Symphony Orchestra

What is better than a family movie night? Of course, there are also family movie nights accompanied by live symphony. This week-because many kids are on vacation-the San Diego Symphony Orchestra will present two different movie nights: "Puppet Christmas Carol" on Saturday and Disney "Frozen" on Wednesday. In each event, as the orchestra plays the music from the movie live, the movie will be screened on a huge outdoor screen. Saturday and Wednesday at 5 pm. Reddy Shell in Jacobs Park, 222 Binhai Park Road, downtown. US$25 to US$95; theshell.org.

Holiday Edition Boozy Garden Tea Time

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa will host a special event in its lush secret garden area. Enjoy gin and tea cocktails, festive food and delicious sandwiches served at the table. Encourage festive clothing. Saturday noon to 3 pm. Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, 9700 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. $80; estancialajolla.com/special-events/holiday-happenings.html.

Ziggy Shuffledust and the spider from Mars

In San Diego, it is a tradition to see David Bowie pay tribute during the holidays. The show will return in 2021 with the opening ceremony of Electric Warrior and DJ Camilla Robina. Saturday night at 9:30. Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd., Midtown. $15 plus fees; casbahmusic.com.

Jamaican reggae singer Don Carlos performed a performance at the Music Box for ages 21 and over. The opening game is Eureka Sound x Nick Sefakis, plus DJ Ital. Saturday night at 9 o'clock. Music box, 1337 India Street, Little Italy. $33; Musicboxsd.com. Complete vaccination certificate or negative COVID test within 48 hours before entry. All participants need to wear masks.

Singer and songwriter Noah Kahan, known for his folk and pop music, staged a San Diego show in his "I Was / I Am Tour" with the opening ceremony of Blake Rose. It's eight o'clock on Saturday night. House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp. US$22-70; houseofblues.com/sandiego/concert-events. Proof of complete vaccination or negative COVID test within 24 hours (antigen) or 48 hours (PCR) required for entry. The vaccine certificate or negative test must be printed out; please refer to the website for details.

Country music star Kip Moore, accompanied by special guest Jordan Fletcher, brought his "How High Tour 2021" to SOMA. Saturday night at 7 o'clock. SOMA, 3550 Sports Arena Blvd. $38; somasandiego.com. The previous proof of full vaccination or negative COVID test requires 24 hours (rapid test) or 72 hours (PCR) to enter. All participants need to wear masks.

The "Nutcracker" of the San Diego Ballet

Last year, the San Diego Ballet introduced a drive-through version of the "Nutcracker". In 2021, the traditional holiday ballet will return to the theater, professional and student dancers will retell the magical story of Clara receiving the Nutcracker at Christmas and visiting the land of candy. Sunday at 1 and 5 pm. The Magnolia, 210 E. Main St., El Cajon. US$45 to 115; Sandigo Ballet.

Get ready to play football! The San Diego football team kicked off the season with their first home game against the Chihuahua Barbarians. Sunday afternoon at 5:05. Pechanga Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd. Tickets are US$20-45; pechangaarenasd.com/events. Proof of complete vaccination or negative COVID test within 24 hours (antigen) or 48 hours (PCR) required for entry. All participants need to wear masks.

Holiday singles at Conrad

Take a break from the free music night and cheers of the La Jolla Music Association to prepare for the holiday. This family-friendly event includes reading "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by the librarian Katia Graham, and holiday songs sung by the San Diego Gay Men's Choir. 5 o'clock in the afternoon on Sunday. Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. Freedom; register on ljms.org.

Abbey Road: Tribute to the Beatles

Celebrate the holidays with Paul, John, George and Ringo! Members of Abbey Road, the tribute band of the Beatles, showed off "The Beatles Christmas"-a seated performance for 21 and over, a fusion of holiday tunes and Beatles hits. 7 o'clock on Sunday evening. Music box, 1337 India Street, Little Italy. $22; Musicboxsd.com. Complete vaccination certificate or negative COVID test within 48 hours before entry. All participants need to wear masks.

Metl Bar Creamery hosts a festive event, where people can shop from 14 local suppliers. In addition, you can also enjoy a welcome cocktail and food samples! Sunday afternoon from 3 to 6 pm. Metl Bar Creamery, 2835 North Park University Avenue. Free; metal rod mesh

Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade and Pups in the Pub Party

The classic San Diego holiday event returns: Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade and Pups in the Pub Party invites people and their festive four-legged friends to put on their best holiday gear and participate in the Fifth Avenue Parade through Gaslamp. There will be competitions, prizes, after-conference parties and more. Sunday afternoon at 1 o'clock. The pet parade starts from Fifth Avenue and K Street. The puppies in the bar party will be on the island avenue between the fourth and fifth. Parades and parties are free, but the drink ticket is $15. gaslamp.org/holidays

Enjoy the newly released Scenic Route cider from Bivouac Ciderworks, and enjoy decoration making, Blackmarket Bakery's flannel sugar cookies, holiday music and Christmas movies. Sunday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Bivouac Ciderworks, 3986 30th Street, North Park. US$35; bivouaccider.com

Read more: A toast to the holiday with Clove Hitch of Bivouac Ciderworks

Kash Komedy presents a comedy night at the brewery and restaurant 619 Spirits in North Park. Featured comics include Alex Petit, Pallavi Gunalan, Kat Thomas, Sammy Cantu, and headlines Bob Hansen. The series will be broadcast every other Sunday, with comedians taking turns to perform. Without charging any fees, 619 Spirits will offer happy hour specials throughout the night. 7 o'clock on Sunday evening. 619 Spirits, 3015 Lincoln Avenue, North Park. 619spirits.com

San Diego Bay Lights Parade

The second installation of the famous San Diego Bay Light Parade was this weekend. Enjoy more than 80 ships lit and decorated with the theme of 2021 "The Twelve Days of Christmas", sailing on the bay with the sparkling city skyline as the background. Sunday afternoon at 5:30. Follow San Diego Bay from Sanctuary Island to Coronado. Freedom; sdparadeoflights.org

Read more: The 50th Anniversary of the Return of the San Diego Bay Lights Festival

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Sara has always been two things: a writer and a San Diegan.

Nina Garin is the editor of Pacific Magazine.

Jennifer is a native of San Diego and graduated from California State University San Marcos. Before entering the marketing field, she worked as a letter editor for the former North County Times until 2012. She has been working at PACIFIC since 2015 and loves it so that she can merge her love of San Diego, pop culture and puns together.

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