Here are some of the best things to do this weekend in San Diego from Friday, Nov. 15 to Sunday, Nov. 17.
Friday
Christmas at SeaWorld: SeaWorld San Diego’s annual holiday festivities will include a new feature this year: a Mrs. Claus Christmas Parade. She will move through the park with a procession of themed characters and floats each day of the season. Also new this year, visitors will find a live holiday character show in the Mission Bay Theater and a show called “A Stocking Full of Soul” featuring classical holiday music in the Nautilus Amphitheater. Among the long list of festive activities this year is also photos with Santa, a snowfall experience, a holiday lights display, a laser light show and Coca-Cola Lane. A Hanukkah display will make its debut in the park on Dec. 1 with music and a menorah lighting. Friday through Jan. 5. 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego. Holiday activities are included with park admission. seaworld.com/san-diego/
Author gives tips on writing and publishing: New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry will give a talk on “Becoming a Writer” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Carmel Valley Library, 3919 Townsgate Drive. Maberry will discuss how to write effectively and sell your work. Visit sandiego.gov/public-library/locations/carmel-valley-library.
Lightscape: San Diego Botanic Garden will host its light show for the third time, opening on Nov. 15 and running through Jan. 5. Lightscape is a one-mile trail filled with flowers and trees covered in lights, illuminated tunnels, suspended lights and artistic installations from international artists. Holiday drinks and treats will be available on the trail. Ticket prices range from $13-31, based on age and time of day. The parking fee is $10-$25. 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. 760-436-3036, sdbg.org/lightscape
Saturday
College Day at the Del Mar racetrack: Local college students with a valid student identification can go to the races for free on College Day. Student can sit in grand stand seating. 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday. 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar. Free. dmtc.com/calendar/detail/college-fall
Valley Arts Festival: The theme of this year’s Valley Arts Festival is Spirit Of The Valley: Kíicha Nights, Coyote Dreams. It is a celebration of a Luiseño tribe, The San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians. The 4th annual event is Nov. 16 with traditional drumming, dance, flute music and educational activities at Heritage Park. The festival is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 16 at 220 Peyri Dr. Admission and parking are free. studioace.org/valley-arts-festival
Carlsbad Holiday Market: The nonprofit Women’s Club of Carlsbad will host a holiday market with a mix of vendors making handmade gifts, home decor products, jewelry and accessories. Some of the vendors listed to attend are Allie Tagua Jewelry, Carlsbad Cookie Company, Miki’s Pottery and Purposed-SD selling scented soy wax candles. The Carlsbad Holiday Market will also have food available for purchase. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16. Free admission. 3320 Monroe St., Carlsbad. visitcarlsbad.com/events/carlsbad-holiday-market
Family walk at lagoon: A free family walk will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at the Batiquitos Lagoon led by docent Sue Irey. The event will “celebrate the creepy side of nature.” Participants will learn what tarantula hawks do to tarantulas, how antlions catch their dinner and what a vampire bug is. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. The walk is open to ages 7 and older. Visit batiquitoslagoon.org.
Art Night at gallery: Off Track Gallery’s free Art Night reception is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 16 featuring the annual Holiday Small Image Show and art awards and live music. Artist Dolores Renner will show her handcrafted jewelry adorned with Swarovski crystals and gemstones. The Off Track Gallery, run by the nonprofit San Dieguito Art Guild, is in the Lumberyard Shopping Center, 937 S. Coast Highway. There will be discounts on art at the event. Visit sandieguitoartguild.com.
Space Night at children’s museum: San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum puts on its eighth annual Space Night from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at 320 N. Broadway. Highlights include hands-on science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math activities themed around space exploration. Kids can learn about everything from robotics to coding and meet NASA Solar System Ambassadors. The event for ages 4-10 is presented by Hologic. Tickets are $17; $12 for museum members. Discounts are available for military and veteran families. Preregistration is required. Visit sdcdm.org/spacenight.
Salute to Paws 5K and festival: Locally based nonprofit Shelter to Soldier will put on its inaugural Salute to Paws 5K and Gratitude Festival for Dogs starting at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 16 at Naval Training Center Park in Liberty Station, 2455 Cushing Road. Proceeds go to the nonprofit, which rescues dogs from local shelters and trains them to become service animals for post-9/11 veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and sexual trauma, among other injuries. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., followed by yoga flow at 8 a.m., the 5K at 9 a.m. and the Gratitude Festival for Dogs. The festival will feature live music, a beer and mimosa garden, pet vendors and activities that show thankfulness for dogs. There will be adoptable dogs from Labs & More Rescue on “Rescue Row.” Tickets start at $50; $25 for children, and $10 additional for your dog. All 5K registrations include access to the Gratitude Festival. Visit bit.ly/SaluteToPaws.
Sunday
Polaroid workshop: Locals can learn to use a polaroid camera with a small group of fellow photographers responding to prompts in this workshop. Sean Sarmiento will lead the lesson. Supplies will be provided. 1 p.m. Sunday. Emerging Visual Artist, 2770 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego. Free. libertystation.com/do/polaroid-workshop
Reading program at animal shelter: The Rancho Coastal Humane Society offers Happy Tales for children 6 and older to read aloud to shelter animals, such as dogs, cats and rabbits awaiting adoption. Upcoming sessions include from 11 a.m. to noon and 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Nov. 17 and 11 a.m. to noon and 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Dec. 14. Sessions are limited to six children. Each child must be supervised by a parent. Readers can bring their own books or borrow a book from the shelter’s library. The cost is $10 per child. Preregistration is required at rchumanesociety.org/youth-programs/happy-tales. To hold a Happy Tales session for your own small group, email education@sdpets.org.