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December Nights 2009 at Balboa Park

November 20th, 2009

December 4 & 5, 2009: December Nights 2009 -Free Festival in Balboa Park

San Diego‘s favorite kick-off to the holiday season, December Nights 2009 takes places this year on Friday, December 4, 2009 and Saturday, December 5, 2009 in Balboa Park.

The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors. The beloved San Diego event features sparkling lights, theatrical and musical entertainment, and food, food and more food throughout the Park. And once again this year, in the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums will open their doors to the public free of charge from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm both evenings.

Entertainment, wonderful food and holiday cheer are all part of this classic San Diego celebration. Long standing traditions, including: food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; the charming Santa Lucia Procession at the San Diego Museum of Man; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; international choirs, musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, and more, fill the heart of Balboa Park. In addition, participating museums will be open to the public for free from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm both evenings.

Be sure to stop by the Prado Holiday Spirits Lounge and Hospitality Tent operated by the Cohn Restaurant Group. Executive Chef Jeff Thurston of The Prado has created a menu that will be offered inside Spirits Lounge for adults 21 and up and also available outside for all ages. Menu items include Kobe beef burgers, crispy green beans with blue cheese dip, The Prado’s famous tortilla soup, and more. The Spirits Lounge offerings include The Prado’s Sangria, Eggnog and Jim Beam, Kahlua Drinks, and Svedka Vodka Cosmopolitans.

In addition, the historic Moreton Bay Fig Tree will be illuminated with a custom and artistic holiday design provided by The Old Globe. The tree will be awash with merry and colorful lights, and will join the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and the California Tower as Balboa Park December Nights‘ holiday icons.

Also returning to December Nights this year is the Palisades Midway, the ultimate family zone with new kid-friendly experiences and family entertainment.

Beautiful displays will light the gorgeous Spanish Revival architecture in the Plaza de Panama’s expanded entertainment area, where San Diego’s own Bon Temps Social Club will entertain guests with some of the best American sounds of the Louisiana Bayou.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians contributes a unique cultural element to the December Nights with My Ancestors’ Village, the re-creation of a traditional Native American village within the heart of Balboa Park. The Village will bring to life the food, culture, and lifestyle that is unique to Barona and the other Indians indigenous to the local region.

San Diego Gas and Electric, A Sempra Energy Utility, again covers the center of the Plaza de Panama with an even larger dazzling – and energy efficient – canopy of holiday lights. Visitors are invited to bring up to three strands of traditional holiday lights, per family, to the SDG&E booth in the Plaza de Panama beneath the light canopy and exchange them for more energy efficient and safer LED holiday lights (while supplies last).

Balboa Park’s December Nights 2009 takes place on Friday, December 4, 2009 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Saturday, December 5, 2009 from noon to 10:00 pm. Admission to this family friendly event is free. Free admission to the Balboa Park Museums is offered on both nights from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

With so much to do and see, be sure to arrive early and plan to stay late – this one of a kind event is a family favorite and should not be missed!

Wondering where to park when attending December Nights in Balboa Park?

Park for free at the County Administration Building and City College Parking Lot and take a free shuttle to the Event. Or, you can park at Petco Park (Parking is only $3.00 per vehicle and there are more than 2,000 parking spaces in this area) and take a free shuttle to the Event.

GO San Diego Card holders can enjoy free admission to Balboa Park Museums. Enjoy admission to over 55 San Diego area attractions, activities and tours – including Balboa Park Museums, Legoland California, the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park – for one low price. The GO San Diego Card is available in 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 day increments. For more details click here to visit the GO San Diego card website.

 

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