Welcome to our new series where we cover we will cover all the things to do in Southern California that makes it the Entertainment Capital of the World!
For our inaugural story, we have several out of the ordinary suggestions of where to take your family for the holidays – for FREEEEE!!!
If you’re in SoCal and have family headed your way for the holidays, what on Earth do you do to entertain them during their visit?! Look no further as OC Music News will help you discover the best places and events, including family attractions, light shows, festivals, and activities. The best part? All of them are FREE!
HOLIDAYS AT THE DEL
San Diego
There is a full calendar of events at the Hotel Del Coronado that will delight everyone in your family and make lasting memories for years to come. With stylish architecture dating back to the Art Deco era of the 1920s, The Del will be picturesque during the holidays with breathtaking lights, festive décor in emerald green, shimmering silver and gold, delicate pears, and velvet. Here are some of the free activities on their agenda:
“All That Jazz” Lightshow Spectacular
November 17 – January 7
Experience the magic as The Del’s historic pine trees are on display in a spectacular light show with festive holiday jazz and snow flurries, plus a new bar lounge for 2023.
Holiday Festival
December 6
Join The Del for their annual Holiday Festival with the local community.
MISSION INN LIGHTING & CELEBRATION
Riverside
November 18 – January 7
Switch-On Ceremony November 18 at 5 p.m.
Step into a world of immersive amazement as the Mission Inn illuminates the night with its collection of lights! The grand Switch-On Ceremony will be a moment of pure enchantment you won’t want to miss.
Their star-studded concert will take center stage, featuring performances by some big names in music, including Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray; Skip Martin, Grammy Award winner of the Dazz Band and former lead singer of Kool & the Gang; Jason Scheff, longtime lead vocalist of the legendary band Chicago; Wally Palmar, lead singer of The Romantics; Elliot Lurie, lead singer of Looking Glass; Tommy Tutone; and Dean Torrence of Jan & Dean – all backed by the electrifying Live 61 high-energy dance band!
The Mission Inn is also excited to announce their special guest – comedian and actor, Cheech Marin!
BALBOA PARK DECEMBER NIGHTS
San Diego
December 1 – December 2
The City of San Diego puts on the two-night holiday festival the first week in December every year. The weekend is also meant to showcase the flavors of this city while giving thanks for everyone’s hard work. Here are a few things to check out:
The museums are FREE – from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., all 17 museums that call the park home are free entry on both nights.
Live music and dancing – there are dozens of performances scheduled every day, each just as beautiful and well done as the previous one. It’s not just the Nutcracker either; you can see performances worldwide!
The food – explore food from all over the world courtesy of food trucks and vendors that proudly feature food from their different cultures.
Local crafts – in San Diego, there is a particular pride in having local vendors set up shop for a festival. It’s nice not to buy from the big retailers and even nicer to speak to the person who made it.
Plus you can enjoy the lights and people-watching and check out the International Cottages as they share local holiday traditions and crafts.
LOGAN’S CANDIES
Ontario
Nestled between two buildings in historic Downtown Ontario is one sweet little shop called Logan’s Candies. You may think this is an ordinary shop, but you’d be mistaken. This is the place that might change the way you feel about candy canes!
Logan’s Candy opened in 1933 on Euclid Avenue before moving to its current location on B Street in 1953. The shop’s owner, Jerry Bowley, started working at the candy factory at the age of 12 and purchased the shop with his wife in 1982. Since then, they produce about 80,000 candy canes in the Christmas season, and they are all handmade!
You can watch a demonstration while holding onto your own fresh and warm candy cane for only three dollars. You’ll want to get there early to snag a window spot as the viewing area for the 30-minute demonstration fills up fast. (They also have a TV mounted above the crowd in case you do not grab a window view.)
All in all, this is an excellent Christmas experience for the whole family. After understanding all that Logan’s Candy Factory offers, you may get too spoiled to eat a regular candy cane!
