If the holidays are about making memories, you’ll have lots of opportunities this week with special events happening throughout the region. Here are just a few:
New mural to be unveiled at Encinitas open house
The Encinitas Visitor Center is hosting a festive open house from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday to unveil its new iconic “Mr. Encinitas” mural and to kick-off the holiday season. The event is free and open to the public and will feature food, bubbly drinks, an exclusive sculpture to be raffled-off, and a chance to meet the local artists from 101 Artists’ Colony who created and donated the mural.
The mural prominently features longtime philanthropist Edgar Engert, known as “Mr. Encinitas,” who brought Oktoberfest the city and started Encinitas Holiday Parade. Engert was involved in a number of local organizations throughout the city, including the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce.
The mural unveiling and open house will begin at 5:30 p.m. Guests can enjoy light refreshments and delectable appetizers and sugar plum treats. At 6:30 p.m., the artists will be introduced and “Mr. Encinitas” will be unveiled. The raffle winner will be announced at 7 p.m.
Visit encinitaschamber.com.
Re-imagined ‘As You Like It’ at La Jolla Playhouse
The La Jolla Playhouse is raising the curtain on “As You Like It,” a re-imagined production of the William Shakespeare classic that is being co-directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley and Will Davis, the Rich Family Artistic Director at the playhouse.
Running through Dec. 11, the production features trans, non-binary and queer performers telling Shakespeare’s classic, romantic tale about love and humanity.
In this comedy, a love story flourishes in an unusual place and endures separation and reconciliation, guiding the audience through the endless possibilities of gender, love and the “expression of true selves.”
Tickets are at lajollaplayhouse.org or (858) 550-1010.
SD Symphony to perform ‘Noel Noel’ at Rady Shell
Running Dec. 9 through 11, the San Diego Symphony will play “Noel Noel,” an “all new holiday story and script” directed by Jonathan Gilmer at Rady Shell.
The symphony’s holiday concert is a popular tradition that celebrates the spirit of the season with festive songs, sans an intermission, as well as holiday installations for view all around the venue. Themed food and drink options are also on the roster. Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.
Lawn tickets start at $20.
Visit theshell.org.
Holiday Maker’s Market planned at Invita Café
Rancho Santa Fe’s family-owned Invita Café is hosting a festive holiday market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10. More than 50 vendors will take to 18021 Calle Ambiente to sell their unique, one-of-a-kind goods ideal for holiday shopping.
Get ready to discover all types of goods from clothing, candles and oils from wellness brand Kalen & Rose, sterling silver jewelry by Silvannata and more.
A part of the proceeds from the sales made by the apparel and accessory business, Women of Influence, will be donated to help Ukraine.
Live music will fill the air and a gift basket by Invita will be raffled.
Visit invitacafe.com/events.
Festive holiday cocktails at The Holding Company
In Ocean Beach, The Holding Company will be pouring sips from its seasonal list of holiday cocktails starting Tuesday. The three-story restaurant, which doubles as a bar and music venue, will serve its festive libations all month long.
The cocktail list includes the I’ll Be Home For Christmas, a peppermint espresso martini with housemade coffee liqueur and cream, and Silent Night, a spiced hot apple cider spiked with Skrewball.
Visit theholdingcompanyob.com.
