Weekend Preview: Best Events 12/8-11

It’s officially the holiday season in San Diego. Last weekend we kicked off a month of festive celebrations with December Nights at Balboa Park, Holiday Wonderland in Del Mar and more holiday parades and tree lighting ceremonies in La Jolla, Little Italy, North Park and Encinitas. So you’d think our city would need a break from all the Christmas cheer? Think again. San Diego is just getting started.

Our top event picks for this week in San Diego include The Waterfront’s 78th birthday bash, the Ad Club’s Mingle Bells Holiday Mixer, electro-pop trio Hyper Crush performing live at GuestHouse, hip-hop icon Nas rapping live at FLUXX, 91x’s two-day holiday concert Wrex The Halls, electro-house DJ Chris Lake spinning at Voyeur, Brewfestivus Beer Tasting & Book Signing at Karl Strauss Brewing Co., Jingle Bells 5k Race, San Diego Bay Parade of Light’s first dazzling show, and the Holiday Pet Parade barking through the Gaslamp Quarter.

Discover this weekend’s best San Diego events.

The Waterfront's 78th Birthday Party - 12/6

The Waterfront is San Diego’s oldest tavern, a preserved historical landmark of local nightlife that has survived through the judgment and debauchery of generations. The Waterfront now celebrates its 78th birthday, and you’re invited to remember the magic of parties past and create new memories in San Diego’s original tavern. The big birthday bash is going down on Tuesday, December 6th, and will boast a festive ‘30s theme, which means flapper dresses, fedoras, suspenders, bow ties and more classic accessories are highly encouraged. During the party, guests can enjoy dollar burgers and dollar beers with a $5 charitable donation. Get details here.

Mingle Bells Holiday Mixer at FLUXX – 12/8

The San Diego Ad Club is a thriving organization of industry professionals, including executives in the advertising, marketing, communications, broadcast, graphic design and new media fields. Every year the Ad Club lets loose and hosts the Mingle Bells mixer, a festive networking event with proceeds to benefit the San Diego Advertising Fund for Emergencies. This year, Mingle Bells is themed “Candyland” and will fully embrace its surroundings, including a 12-foot gumball machine stage, the signature icon of FLUXX Sweet Shoppe. Join 350 of San Diego's most creative advertising professionals this Thursday during Mingle Bells at FLUXX. Get details here.

Hyper Crush Live at GuestHouse @ Stingaree – 12/9

Following the launch of GuestHouse Day Club last Sunday, Stingaree is keeping the energy alive with Hyper Crush in the house this Friday night, celebrating the three year anniversary of local promotion powerhouse Night Access. GuestHouse is the remodeled first floor lounge within Stingaree, and the wild Hyper Crush trio will pump the crowd up with aggressive electro-pop beats and addictive rhymes. Get ready to party hard with Donny, Preston and Holly this Friday, December 9th, also featuring beats by DJ Kurch and Decon. Bonus: every guest will get a pair of 3D glasses to witness Stingaree’s first ever 3D Light Show. We hope they rock these epic holiday outfits. Get details here.

Nas Live at FLUXX – 12/9

Hip hop fans unite; one of the greatest emcees of all time is heading to San Diego this weekend. Nas is returning to FLUXX to perform a few of his hit songs live in the club. FLUXX is our go-to nightclub for scandalous celebrity sightings and intimate live celebrity performances. Don’t miss rap icon Nas this Friday, December 9th, also featuring beats by DJ Homicide and Kyle Flesch. Get details here.

Wrex The Halls at Valley View Casino Center – 12/10-11

91x is answering all of our Christmas wishes this year in hosting a talent-packed two-day holiday concert experience. The annual Wrex the Halls music event is back, taking over Valley View Casino Center on Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, December 11th, featuring an incredible lineup of indie bands. On day one, rock out to Death Cab for Cutie (pictured), Florence + The Machine, Cage The Elephant, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, The Airborne Toxic Event and The Naked and Famous. Then, head back for finale performances by Blink 182, Social Distortion, Pennywise, DMC, Everlast and Mutemath. Get details here.

TaylorSays Holiday Trunk Show at Divinity Salon & Boutique – 12/10

If you’re on the hunt for a thoughtful gift for your stylish girlfriend, edgy sister or trend-setting best friend, consider a playful piece from the TaylorSays Holiday Trunk Show. A San Diego native, artist Taylor Reeve is heading home to invade Divinity Salon & Boutique with her signature collection of canvas paintings, clothing, jewelry and fierce heels on Saturday, December 10th from 4 to 8pm. Oh, and there will be a lot of wine, too. Get details here.

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights – 12/11

Although the harsh winter chill freezes lakes and creates natural ice skating rinks on the East Coast, here on the Best Coast we like to keep our water nice and warm. And not to worry, we bring in man-made rinks for ice skating fun. Discover a new side of holiday entertainment with the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, back for its 40th year on Sunday, December 11th and Sunday, December 18th from 5:30 to 9pm. Free for spectators, this annual tradition features a parade of boats bedazzled in holiday lights, cruising through San Diego Bay, as fireworks fill the sky. The parade route takes the bright boats past Seaport Village, the Star of India and on to Coronado.

Gaslamp Quarter Holiday Pet Parade – 12/11

Who says Halloween is the only holiday for dressing up? In San Diego, it's just the beginning. The Gaslamp Quarter Association hosts one of our favorite annual events, the Gaslamp Holiday Pet Parade, which is taking place on Sunday, December 11th. Precious puppies are the star of the show; dress your doggie up as a festive Christmas tree, mischievous elf, playful dreidel or flirty Mrs. Claus. The parade starts on the corner of 4th Avenue and K Street at the Hilton Park, and the event will feature prizes for the best costumes as well as a Pet Expo and Pet Talent Show. Check-in begins at 1pm and the parade will take off through the Gaslamp Quarter at 3pm.

More San Diego Events & Holiday Activities:

Soundcheck ft. Kid Sister and Penguin Prison at Hard Rock Hotel - 12/6 

6 Degrees Holiday Party for Make-A-Wish at FLUXX - 12/6

Cocktails, Canapés and Couture at La Valencia Hotel – 12/6

J Public Relations Invades Industry Wednesday at Side Bar – 12/7

LED Presents Modestep DJ Set at Voyeur – 12/8

EDM with Gareth Emery at FLUXX – 12/8

Brewfestivus Beer Tasting & Book Signing at Karl Strauss Brewing Co. – 12/9

LED Presents Chris Lake at Voyeur – 12/9

Social Club Launch Party ft. The Phantom's Revenge at Onyx Room - 12/10

Jingle Bells 5k Race – 12/10

Mission Bay Parade of Lights – 12/10

Studio Saturday Vol. XV at Ivy Nightclub – 12/10

LED Presents Arty at Voyeur – 12/11

Holiday Ice Skating Rinks in San Diego

Holiday of Lights at Del Mar Fairgrounds

Insider Tip: You’re invited to DiscoverSD’s 2nd Annual Holiday Party at Quality Social on Saturday, December 17th. RSVP now for a hosted cocktail reception from 9-10pm & so much more!

Discover more entertainment ideas in our 2011 San Diego Holiday Guide