200,000 expected at 28th annual December Nights next weekend

By: PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Wednesday, November 30, 2005 9:17 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- A record 200,000 people are expected this weekend at Balboa Park's 28th annual "December Nights" festival, which features free museum admission, continuous live entertainment and gifts and food from around the world.

Billed as San Diego's largest free community festival, December Nights expanded last year to include daytime activities, and the change was so successful in managing crowd control that the expanded hours return this year. Last year's attendance topped 150,000, despite rain showers, so with clear skies in the forecast, an even bigger crowd is expected this year, said Balboa Park spokeswoman Nancy Higgins.

On Dec. 2, the festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m. and on Dec. 3, it runs from noon to 10 p.m.

Featured events include around-the-clock live choral, dancing, music and theater entertainment on six stages; a holiday marketplace; children's craft activities; strolling carolers and musicians; photos with Santa Claus; an art fair in the Spanish Village area; and shopping specials in museum gift shops. Most of the park's museums will also offer free admission from 5 to 9 p.m. both days.

The International Cottages' Christmas Festival will feature holiday decor and entertainment, as well as a food fair featuring dishes from 28 countries. And dozens of San Diego restaurants will participate in the second annual Cabrillo Bridge Food Tasting, where visitors can pay $20 for tasting tickets they can use at the booths of their choice.

The Museum of Man will present a Santa Lucia procession at 6 and 8 p.m. each day. The Old Globe will offer photos with a costumed character from its "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" musical; San Diego Civic Youth Ballet will present excerpts from its "Nutcracker" ballet in the Casa del Prado Theatre, and the Museum of the Living Artist will be roasting chestnuts.

The Barona band of Mission Indians, which is sponsoring this year's festival, will set up an interactive American Indian village near the park's lily pond. Traditional dwelling structures (an ewaa and ramada) will be erected, and children can take part in rock- and gourd-painting activities inside.

The San Diego Zoo will be closed, but it will offer free "critter encounters" and crafts near the miniature train and carousel, which will be open for rides at $1.75 a ticket.

For park visitors ages 21 and up, the San Diego Natural History Museum will offer a bird's-eye view of festivities on its rooftop terrace, where for $5 patrons can dine on hors d'oeuvres and enjoy wine at a no-host bar.

Parking is always a challenge for "December Nights," so visitors are encouraged to park along Park Boulevard at Inspiration Point and at the San Diego Zoo. Free shuttle service is offered from San Diego City College or the San Diego County Administration building (1600 Pacific Highway). Valet parking will be available at Village Place on the east side of the park.

For a detailed schedule of entertainment, visit www.balboapark.org.