San Diego's North County holiday activities include the largest drive-through animated light display on the U.S. West Coast, a Christmas tree made entirely of LEGOs, a parade of lighted boats along a picturesque harbor and a number of other joyful holiday events.

The following are just some of the many offerings that are sure to make a winter visit to San Diego’s North County merry, memorable and bright.

FESTIVALS AND PARADES

• The La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival on Dec. 4 in downtown La Jolla includes marching bands, floats, equestrian units, vintage automobiles and more. 
• During the Oceanside Parade of Boats, dozens of private boat owners decorate their boats with holiday lights and sail along the waters of picturesque Oceanside Harbor.  Great views are available all along the harbor, and nearby Harbor Village offer shops, dining and seating areas. Dates are TBD.
• Christmas comes to the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park in Carlsbad during Holiday at the Rancho on Dec. 3. The family friendly festivities include a handbell musical performance, a tree lighting ceremony, crafts, cookie decorating and a visit from Santa. Guests can also shop for holiday gifts at a handmade craft boutique and bring their blankets and chairs for the holiday movie, The Polar Express, shown outdoors on a big screen.
• The boutique West Inn & Suites in Carlsbad honors the spirit of the season with their 4th annual holiday celebration on Dec. 8. Seasonal treats and festive drinks crafted by chef Eugenio Martignago will be available for tasting at the resort’s restaurants, Bistro West and West Steak & Seafood, and the event includes photos with Santa, cookie decorating, crafts, face painting and more.

SPARKLING ATTRACTIONS

• LEGOLAND® California in Carlsbad celebrates the season with Holly Jolly Holidays during Dec. 1 – 31.  Thousands of LEGOS come together to create a massive 30-ft. tall Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of LEGO ornaments, and a fireworks show lights up the sky every night during Dec. 26 – 31.  In addition, guests can enjoy the Let it Snow musical and life-size LEGO displays of Santa and his reindeer. 
• When the sun goes down, the San Diego Botanic Garden transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland with more than 100,000 sparkling lights illuminating the garden.  “Garden of Lights” runs Dec. 8 – 23 and 26 – 30 and features live carolers, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting and s’mores, an appearance by Santa, a display of more than 50 nutcrackers, horse-drawn wagon rides and more.
• Guests can enjoy the dazzling Holiday of Lights at Del Mar, taking place Nov. 24 – Jan. 1, 2012 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  This is the largest animated drive-through light show on the U.S. West Coast with more than 400 brilliant holiday light displays.
• San Diego’s own real-life Clark Griswald (a.k.a. local resident Bill Gilfillen) welcomes more than 10,000 visitors each December to view his home as he transforms it into one of the largest residential lights displays in San Diego County in the community of San Marcos. On view Nov. 26 – Dec. 31, Gilfillen’s “Christmas on Knob Hill” features 95,000 lights, 100 plastic figures, 20 rope-light figures, 80 snowmen, 100 candy canes and more.

LIVE THEATRE CURTAIN CALLS

• The North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach presents a series of holiday performances. The outrageous musical comedy Mistletoe, Music and Mayhem! runs Dec. 8 – 18. In An Unscripted Christmas Carol on Dec. 19 and 20, performers improvise the traditions of Dickens, guaranteeing no two performances will be alike. Sister’s Christmas Catechism offers holiday hi-jinx in a habit during Dec. 21 – 24. 
• The California Center for the Arts in the city of Escondido presents “An Irish Christmas,” a celebration of Christmas in Ireland with glorious music, traditional dance, lively storytelling and plenty of Irish soul. The production boasts an all-star cast featuring Riverdance’s Darren Maguire, the Kerry Trad Orchestra and a host of actors and singers.

FESTIVE FEAST

• Christmas Eve dinner on Dec. 24 at Addison, San Diego County’s only AAA Five Diamond and Mobil Five Star rated restaurant, is a gift the whole family is sure to remember. The seven-course tasting menu features Relais & Châteaux Grand Chef William Bradley’s artistic and delectable creations, such as delicate langoustines in a citrus marmalade, roast pheasant paired with brioche and black truffles, and a decadent English butter pecan pie with eggnog crème glacée for dessert. The tasting menu is available with or without wine pairings.

SPORTING GOOD TIMES

• Runners compete in San Diego's oldest marathon during the Carlsbad Marathon & Half-Marathon on Jan. 22. The race begins in oceanfront Carlsbad and runs along a scenic course that hugs the Pacific coast. 
• The Farmers Insurance Open comes to Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla during Jan. 23 – 29, 2012 and features top players from the PGA Tour. The event also includes Pro-Am and practice rounds. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

• Families can celebrate the New Year at LEGOLAND® California during a one-of-a-kind Kids' New Year's Eve Party. The party includes fun-filled entertainment until countdown, at 6 p.m., to the New Year.  Like a child's version of Times Square’s New Year’s celebration, but a few hours earlier, the party concludes with a LEGO “Brick Drop” and a fireworks extravaganza. 

Happiness is calling in San Diego.  For more information on San Diego offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau's Web site, www.sandiego.org, or call (619) 236-1212.  In San Diego, visit the International Visitor Information Center, located along the Embarcadero at the corner of West Broadway and Harbor Drive in downtown; the La Jolla Visitor Center, located at the corner of Herschel Avenue and Prospect Street in La Jolla; or the California Welcome Center, located at the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine.

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