JINGLE BELL CRUISE
Join Santa Claus aboard the Bahia Belle sternwheeler for a family-friendly Jingle Belle Cruise on Mission Bay. Enjoy carolers and holiday treats like hot cocoa and homemade cookies (plus a cash bar for the adults). Food will also be available for purchase. Cruises depart from the Bahia Resort Hotel and the Catamaran Resort. 5:30 and 7 p.m. today from the Bahia Resort Hotel, 998 W. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego; 5:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday from the Catamaran Resort Hotel, 3999 Mission Blvd., San Diego; then 2 p.m. Sunday from the Bahia and 4 p.m. from the Catamaran. Tickets are $45 general admission, $35 for hotel guests. bahiahotel.com/jingle-belle-cruise
Kwanzaa celebration: The WorldBeat Cultural Center will celebrate Kwanzaa with four days of events. Kwanzaa is an African American holiday, observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, to celebrate and reaffirm family, community and culture. Each day, there will be a ceremonial candle lighting, live drumming, a poetry reading and a traditional feast (vegetarian soul food). Speakers will include educator Kaba Kamene (Monday) and Maulana Karenga (Wednesday), who created the holiday. Guests must wear masks. 6 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego. Free. worldbeatcenter.org/event
Hanukkah party: Congregation B’nai Tikvah hosts the celebration of Hanukkah’s sixth candle tonight at the Bressi Ranch Community Club House. Highlights include group candle lighting, holiday songs, playing dreidel and a retelling of the Hanukkah story, plus a light dinner of traditional latkes (potato pancakes) and fried doughnuts. Bring nonperishable food items to donate to Interfaith Community Services.
5:30 p.m. today. Bressi Ranch Community Center,
6276 Arbor Rose Drive, Carlsbad. Free. There is a Zoom option; to receive a link, call (760) 650-2262.
Holiday Bowl: Can’t get enough college football? The 43rd annual Holiday Bowl at Petco Park will feature the Oregon Ducks and the North Carolina Tar Heels. After the game, the KGB Sky Show will light up the San Diego skyline with an elaborate fireworks display. 5 p.m. Wednesday. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego. Tickets start at $80. padres.com/holidaymarket
“A Big Band Christmas”: The California Center for the Arts, Escondido, hosts “A Big Band Christmas” with jazz vocalists, the D. Ben-jamin’ Big Band Orchestra, swing dancers and new arrangements by Duane Benjamin of Christmas classics. Santa Claus will drop by to check out the vibe. 2 to 4 p.m. today. California Center for the Arts, Escondido,
340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. Tickets $35 to $80. artcenter.org/event/a-big-band-christmas-ccae-theatricals