San Diego Weekend Guide: Dec. 27-29 – Games & Gears

It’s time for the post-Christmas, pre-New Year’s exhale. Two of our biggest local events land this San Diego weekend and all they require you to do is stroll and enjoy (and maybe pop in to take a spin or two).

The Holiday Bowl on Friday – it’s a sports ball thing, we know, you may be invested in it, you may not. But there’s a waterfront parade, filled with big (really big!) balloons, that precedes the contest so folks who don’t follow college football can have fun too:

• 10 a.m. – The Holiday Bowl Parade begins on Pacific Highway, passing the County Administration building and concluding at North Harbor Drive. Head to the bayfront – viewing is free!– or watch the live stream on CBS 8+ and online. Steve Fisher, San Diego State’s retired basketball coach, is the parade’s honorary chairman.
• 5 p.m. – The 45th annual DIRECTV Holiday Bowl makes its Snapdragon Stadium debut, as No. 21 Syracuse and Washington State meet. Early arrivals receive one-day tickets to SeaWorld San Diego. Those who stay late get the KGB Sky Show post-game. General admission starts at $85.

A car purchase on your mind? Or you want to see the latest and greatest in store for 2025 and beyond? The San Diego International Auto Show opens Saturday at the San Diego Convention Center. General admission is $18, but head out on Sunday for Family Day to snag free tix for those 12 and under. A highlight: British luxury brand McLaren will exhibit its performance road cars at the show for the first time. Gates open daily at 10 a.m. The show continues through New Year’s Day.

You may celebrate Hanukkah at home or in the community, but how about a bigger fest?

• Mission Valley Mall offers its Hanukkah Under the Stars celebration at 5 p.m. Saturday with Congregation Beth Israel. Enjoy live entertainment by DJ Benji, crafts and photos at the menorah, with kosher donuts and sweet treats available.
• Seaport Village hosts its Hanukkah Festival with the Chabads of Downtown San Diego at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The fest includes live music, performers and the traditional lighting of the menorah.

San Diego Music Award winner Rebecca Jade hosts her first holiday show, “A Soulful Holiday,” at 8 p.m. Saturday with guests Angela Chatelain Avila, Joshua Taylor, Darryl Walker and Daneen Wilburn. She calls it a “homegrown show” for San Diego talents. Head for Sycuan Casino in El Cajon. Tickets start at $49.

And before you shut the door on the holiday season, a reminder: Our versions of outdoor ice skating will pack it in soon, on Jan. 5. This is the second-to-last weekend for the rinks, including Skating by the Sea, at the iconic Hotel del Coronado, Rady Children’s Ice Rink at Liberty Station and the Viejas Outlets rink in Alpine. Sessions are $20 and up.