by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by flockine from Pixabay.)
Wow. Just one more week till Christmas?!?
How did that happen? Other than, very quickly?
Here are a few of the special events you might like to check out, this week.
Monterey
(Photo courtesy of SeeMonterey.com, and used with permission.)
Fisherman’s Wharf Association’s Seventh Annual “Christmas on the Wharf” celebration continues through Christmas Eve.
Festive decorations on Old Fisherman’s Wharf will include the 23-foot decorated Christmas tree, surrounded by giant illuminated sea creatures and decorations up and down the wharf: tin soldiers, silhouetted trees, Christmas inflatables and much more. Free live musical performances and Santa visits, with photo opps, are part of the festivities, this Friday and Saturday, December 22nd and 23rd.
Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf is located at 201 Washington Street. near Del Monte Avenue.
Sacramento
(Photo courtesy of Julian Martinez, Downtown Sacramento.)
Old Sacramento’s beloved “Theatre of Lights” tradition celebrates its 15th anniversary this Christmas!
Created by Stage Nine Exhibitions’ Troy Carlson and voiced by Emmy-nominated voice actor Bill Farmer, this is a free,family-friendly immersive performance which takes place on the balconies of Old Sacramento Waterfront.
An approximately 20-minute spectacular, “Theatre of Lights” combines a reading of Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit From St. Nicholas” with a light and sound show, elements of California history, and a villain who challenges the gentleman in the red suit.
Two shows are scheduled nightly, Thursdays through Sundays, at 6:00 and 7:30 pm, with the exception of Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24th. That evening, there will be one show, at 6:00 pm. ASL interpreters will be available on Thursday evening.
But be sure you come early. Shopping or grabbing an early meal in Sacramento’s historic district is a fun pre-Chriatmas experience.
Theatre of Lights performances happen at Old Sacramento Waterfront, K Street between Front and Second.
Sacramento
(Graphic courtesy of Aerospace Museum of California, and used with permission.)
Meanwhile, this Saturday, December 23rd, Aerospace Museum of California, located near McClellan Airport in Sacramento, continues their cool “DeSTEMber” activities for kids of all ages.
This Saturday morning, December 23rd at 10:00, their hands-on “Galaxy Ornaments” workshop starts!
Think sparkly stars and glowy planets to add a “cosmic” touch to any Christmas tree.
The workshop runs till 2:00 pm, and is included with the price of museum admission.
Aerospace Museum of California is located at 3200 Freedom Park Drive near Sacramento’s McClellan Airport. Here’s the link for information.
(I was about to tell you what times and dates the Dickens Fair, in San Francisco, will have available for this weekend–only to discover, from their website, that they’re sold out! Happy Christmas to everyone who’s already made reservations, as they enjoy this final, festive weekend of 2023! Here’s the link to begin making plans and get updates when their tickets go on sale in 2024.)
Solvang
(Photo courtesy of SolvangUSA.com, and used with permission.)
As Solvang’s Julefest continues, this week marks their final series of Candlelight Tours.
The not-so-great news first: they are sold out.
But, the good news: there are waitlists! Here’s the link.
Led by a costumed guide, the popular tours leave from Solvang Visitors Center at 5:00 pm, every evening this week, through this Saturday, December 23rd.
Guests learn Danish Christmas traditions as they explore the streets of Solvang, which has been called the “Danish Capital of America”. Each guest is given an LED candle for the duration of the tour.
And Julefest itself continues through January 6th, Twelfth Night. So even if you aren’t successful in clearing the waitlist for the Candlelight Tours, there are still nisse to find, choreographed light and music shows nightly in Solvang Park (at the corner of Mission Drive and First Street), and great individual shopping/exploring opportunities in what’s been called one of America’s “Most Christmassy Towns”.
Solvang Julefest’s evening Candlelight Tours leave from Solvang Visitor Center, 1637-1639 Copenhagen Drive,at 5:00 pm, Monday, December 18th, through Saturday, December 23rd. While the tours are currently sold out, waitlists are available. Here’s the link for information.
Cambria
(Royalty-free image by Steven Kasa from Pixabay.)
Last, but absolutely not least, a few tickets are actually left for the 12th annual Cambria Christmas Market!
This German-inspired special event runs now through this Saturday, December 23rd. Artisan vendors, live music, visits from Santa, great food and more than 2 million Christmas lights are all part of the festivities.
At time of publication, Cambria Christmas Market’s website was listing available tickets on Tuesday, December 19th; Wednesday, December 20th; Friday, December 22nd; and Saturday, December 23rd. Please be aware that online sales are $10 less that purchasing tickets at the door.
And if you’d like to hear the story of Cambria Christmas Market, check out our earlier interview with Cambria Christmas Market Event Manager Mike Arnold!
Cambria Christmas Market is open evenings from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, now through Saturday, December 23rd. Tickets tend to sell out; be sure to check their website before you go.
Children under 5 are admitted free, and overnight packages are available at three hotels. In addition, Cambria Christmas Market features “lights-only” nights exclusively for hotel guests on Mondays and Tuesdays.