San Diego Weekend Guide: Dec. 20-22 – Holiday Home Stretch

Crunch time, people. This San Diego weekend, let off some steam in the midst of the holiday rush with Christmas sweaters – need we even insert the word ugly? – and the festive classic The Nutcracker. And how about cowboys too?

There’s such a thing as a Cowboy Christmas? Yep, pardner, in Vista there sure is, with line dancing, barbecue and a “hat bar” to bling up that Stetson – maybe in ugly Christmas sweater style? Head to Main Street in downtown at 5 p.m. Friday.

As for the actual sweaters, make good use of your glue gun then pick a party:

• PRK 101 in Carlsbad offers sweaters of questionable taste and dancing in their indoor-outdoor complex at 7 p.m. Friday. There will be prizes for ugliest sweater, BBQ-inspired plates, draft beer, handcrafted cocktails and music by Nitro Express Band.
• Cococabana’s, atop the Brick Hotel in Oceanside, offers rooftop views for its Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at 8 p.m. Saturday. Sip a tropical holiday cocktail and make a wish – there’s a $100 prize for ugliest sweater.

The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara, a toy soldier that comes to life and the villainous Mouse King. The fantasy fave, a holiday stalwart for ballet companies, returns to multiple San Diego stages this weekend:

• City Ballet of San Diego – opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, continuing through Monday, at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Includes three matinees. Tickets start at $42.
• Southern California Ballet – 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 7 p.m. Saturday, at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $30.
• San Diego Ballet – two afternoon shows Saturday at the Magnolia in El Cajon. Tickets start at $59.

And how about modern holiday movie classics:

• Polar Express Family Day at the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park, features two screenings of the 2004 film, along with Santa, a card craft and goodie bags. The museum opens at 10 a.m. General admission is $20.
• The San Diego Symphony accompanies screenings of Elf, starring Ron Burg … whoops, we mean Will Ferrell, at the downtown Jacobs Music Center Saturday and Sunday night with a matinee in between. Tickets start at $47.

Manny, ‘Nando and Jackson cede Petco Park to Santa, Rudolph and Frosty for one more week as the Holiday Market continues. Shop local artisans, hop on a sled, enjoy Christmas lights, seasonal food favorites and more. Weekend general admission starts at $31.

Escape the more raucous holiday hoopla and try un-wine-ding. It’s the last weekend for the Ramona Holiday Wine Trail where a $20 pass entitles you to three tastings for $5 each at 17 local wineries Saturday and Sunday.

For those who really need to chill, head to nature, stat. Join the San Diego River Park Foundation or one of its affiliates for two events. First up, the Winter Solstice hike on the shortest day of the year, at the Lillian Hill Preserve between Descanso and Pine Hills. Meet at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Or combine nature and gifts at 9 a.m. Sunday as the Point Loma Native Plant Garden Club helps you use sage and more to create wreaths and other holiday decor at Collier Park West on Greene Street. RSVP for either online.