Preview calendar: Special events, theme parks and comedy for Dec. 18-24

By NORTH COUNTY TIMES | Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:10 AM PST ∞

Press releases for arts and entertainment events and programs should be typed, double-spaced, with basic information about the event, performance dates and times, location, ticket prices and a public telephone number. Send notices two to three weeks before the event to Preview, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, 92025, or via e-mail to preview@nctimes.com. Or fax items to (760) 745-3769.

SPECIAL EVENTS

"Holiday of Lights" ---- The drive-through electric light show draws more than 21,000 carloads of people to a 1.5-mile course featuring more than 400 lighted, animated displays with themes ranging from holiday tableaux to patriotic scenes, animals, rising hot-air balloons and a tunnel of lights; 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; runs through Jan. 4; Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar; $14, cars with up to five people; $19, cars with six or more; $49, buses; sdfair.com.

Musical Sing-Along Movie Series ---- Birch North Park Theatre and Hawthorn's Restaurant presents a family-friendly series of classic musical films and audience participation is strongly encouraged; "White Christmas," 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday; "Grease," 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 28; "The Wizard of Oz," 7:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 4; "The Sound of Music," 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 and 2:30 p.m. Jan. 11; Birch North Park Theatre, 2891 University Ave., San Diego; $9, general; $7, students and seniors; (619) 239-8836.

Divine Performing Arts' Chinese New Year Spectacular ---- A 2 1/2-hour pageant of Chinese, music, song and dance celebrating the incoming Year of the Ox; 7 p.m. Dec. 26, 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 27 and 1 p.m. Dec. 28; San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue at B Street, San Diego; $30-$200; (619) 570-1100.

First Night Escondido ---- The city's 15th annual all-ages and alcohol-free New Year's Eve celebration will feature 12 stages of live entertainment, a kids zone, crafts, food and more; 6 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31; downtown Escondido; $15 before Dec. 24; $20 at the gate; free, children 6 and under; (760) 715-4448 or firstnightescondido.com.

"Walking With Dinosaurs" ----- The $20 million arena light-and-sound spectacular features 15 life-size animatronic dinosaurs who walk, move and roar, telling the story of their rise and fall; 7 p.m. Jan. 1; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 2 and 3; 1 and 5 p.m. Jan. 4; San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; $29.50-$79.50; (619) 220-8497 or ticketmaster.com.

Cinema Society of Carlsbad ---- The Society's 2008-09 series continues with a screening of "Counterfeiters," with pre- and post-film discussions with Ann Zivotsky, former television columnist for the North County Times; 1:30 p.m. Jan. 10; Schulman Auditorium, Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad; free; (760) 602-2026.

"High School Musical: The Ice Tour" ---- The Disney Channel's popular musical hits the ice, featuring a song-and-dance pre-show; 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28-31; 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31; San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; call for tickets; (619) 220-8497.

"Smuckers Stars on Ice" ---- Olympics silver medalist Sasha Cohen and bronze medalist Jeffrey Butle headline the touring ice skating show, also featuring Todd Eldredge, Michael Weiss, Ilia Kulik, Yuka Sato, John Zimmerman, Jennifer Robinson, and pairs skaters Xue Shen & Hongbo Zhao, and Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon; 3 p.m. Feb. 7; San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; $25-$75; on-ice seats, $125; $15, parking; (619) 220-8497.

The Harlem Globetrotters ---- The long-running exhibition basketball team showcases its hoops expertise; 7 p.m. Feb. 13 and 15; San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; $22.50-$148.50; $15, parking; (619) 220-8497.

"Thomas and Friends: Live On Stage" ---- The storybook tank engine brings his Island of Sodor friends Percy, James, Gordon and Sir Topham Hatt for the stage story "A Circus Comes to Town"; 7 p.m. March 20; 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. March 21; 1 and 5 p.m. March 22; San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; $10-$45; $15, parking; (619) 220-8497.

THEME PARKS

Belmont Park ---- Opened in 1925, this beachside amusement park features the historical Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, along with a traditional carousel, bumper cars, the Beach Blaster suspension thrill ride, CHAOS 360-degree spin ride, kiddie rides, flight simulator, climbing tree, arcade, picnic and play areas, the Wave House, with the Bruticus Maximus giant wave rider and Flow Rider perpetual wave machine, and the 80-year-old Plunge, the largest indoor pool in Southern California; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; unlimited ride wristbands, $22.95 (50 inches and up) and $15.95 (under 50 inches); individual rides, $2-$6; Giant Dipper is $6; FlowRider is $15; miniature golf is $7; 3190 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach; (858) 488-1549 or belmontpark.com.

Boomers! ---- This family-themed amusement park features arcades, bumper boats, batting cages, miniature golf, laser tag, children's rides and a large climbing structure; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays; $28.95 (unlimited, excludes batting cages and coin arcade) for over 58 inches; $24.95, under 58 inches; $2-$8, single attractions; 1525 W. Vista Way, Vista; (760) 945-9474 or boomersparks.com.

Discovery Science Center ---- "The Science of Gingerbread featuring Toys!" is now open; More than 100 hands-on science, math and technology exhibits, including "Dino Quest," earthquake "shake shack," climbing wall, musical floor, and 4-D theater. Now featuring "Masters of the Night: The TRUE Story of Bats"; "The Science of Hockey," a new interactive exhibit exploring the physics and physiology of the game, opens in March 2009; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; $12.95, general; $9.95, children (3-17); free, children 2 and under; $3, parking; 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana; (714) 542-2823 or discoverycube.org.

Disneyland Park ---- "The Merriest Place on Earth" holiday celebration runs through Jan. 4, featuring holiday decor, a new light show at Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle, themed entertainment, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and "A Christmas Fantasy" parade; "Innoventions Dream Home," a futuristic 5,000-square-foot home showcasing the latest home technology, is open in Tomorrowland; Tom Sawyer Island has reopened with the new "Pirates Lair"; the "Submarine Voyage" has reopened with a "Finding Nemo" theme; "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride features characters from the "Pirates" film series; also new, "Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams," featuring the biggest parade cast ever; "Remember ... Dreams Come True" fireworks and special effects show nightly; opened in July 1955, Walt Disney theme park includes 60 attractions, including roller coasters, trains, boats, trolleys, carriage and black-light rides, monorail, walk-throughs, live shows, hands-on exhibits and walkabout encounters; open daily; hours vary; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $81-$91, one-day park-hopper passes; $112-$132, two-day park-hopper passes; $259-$379, annual passes; $129-$169, Southern California resident annual passes; $11, parking; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; (714) 781-4565 or disneyland.com.

Disneyland's California Adventure ---- The park is decorated for the holidays through Jan. 4; themed holiday entertainment daily; "High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!" stage show, featuring a cast of 14 singer/sancers, is now playing three times a day in the Sun Plaza; "Toy Story Mania," a 3-D ride-through attraction where riders take target practice at "Toy Story" characters, is open; now playing, "Pixar Play Parade," featuring characters from Disney Pixar films ("Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Finding Nemo," "Ratatouille," "Monsters Inc.," "Cars" and "The Incredibles"); the all-new, 23-minute "Playhouse Disney Live On Stage!" show is now playing; opened in 2001, this 55-acre Disney theme park highlights the history, culture, beauty and industries of California; themed lands include Golden State (agriculture, aviation, wilderness), Paradise Pier (seaside amusement park) and Hollywood Pictures Backlot (filmmaking, TV and stage shows); the park has more than 25 themed attractions, shows and rides; "Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue," a new ride-through black-light ride; new live show "Turtle Talk With Crush," which allows children to ask questions and interact with the animated turtle from "Finding Nemo"; "Block Party Bash," featuring acrobats and favorite Disney/Pixar characters; and "High School Musical Pep Rally" featuring music from the Disney Channel movie are presented daily along the park's parade corridor; "Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" is a high-speed, 13-story drop thrill ride; hours vary, check Web site for daily schedule; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $81-$91, one-day park-hopper passes; $112-$132, two-day park-hopper passes; $259-$379, annual passes; $129-$169, Southern California resident annual passes; $11, parking; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; (714) 781-4565 or disneyland.com.

Knott's Berry Farm ---- Knott's Merry Farm features "A Charlie Brown Christmas" with seasonal entertainment, holiday decorations, a 65-foot-tall Christmas tree, and a weekends and holiday Christmas parade, runs through Dec. 30; Southern California firefighters and police personnel can get in free through Dec. 21 (up to 6 tickets can be purchased for $15 each); Billed as the low-cost family theme park alternative, Knott's is a 160-acre amusement park offering an authentic Old West Ghost Town; roller coasters; Camp Snoopy's children's area; themed restaurants; live ice-skating and family entertainment; thrill rides that include the Silver Bullet, a Western-themed suspended roller coaster that features a 109-foot drop, corkscrews, spirals and cobra rolls, and RipTide thrill ride, which sends riders in a floorless, spinning gondola soaring 59 feet into 360-degree vertical arcs; opens daily at 10 a.m.; closing time varies; $49.99, adults ($41.99 for Southern California adults); $22.99, seniors (62+) and children 3 to 11; free, children 2 and under; $59.95-$114.95, annual passes; $10, parking; 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; (714) 220-5200 or knotts.com.

Knott's Soak City, Chula Vista ---- The park is closed until May; this 32-acre water park features 22 water slides, raft rides and children's play areas; gates open at 10 a.m.; closing hours vary from 6 to 7 p.m.; $28.95, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $17.95, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11); $8, parking; 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista; (619) 661-7373 or knotts.com/soakcity.

Knott's Soak City, Orange County ---- The park is closed until May; the 13-acre park has 23 water slides, raft rides and children's play areas; Pacific Spin is a tube slide that drops riders into a six-story funnel; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; $28.95, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $17.95, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11); $10, parking; 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; (619) 661-7373 or knotts.com/soakcity.

Legoland California ----Holiday Block Party holiday celebration runs Dec. 20-31 and includes holiday entertainment and decor, and nightly tree-lighting ceremonies at 5 p.m.; park hours during the holidays are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 25; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 26-31; Land of Adventure, a new Egyptian-themed area, features more than 75 models made from Lego bricks, the Lost Kingdom Adventure dark ride, the Cargo Ace airplane ride, the Beetle Bounce tower ride; and the Pharoah's Revenge play area; also just opened, "Journey to the Lost Temple," a new 25-minute stage musical by Shawn Greiner; the Lego toy-themed amusement park, best suited for ages 2 to 12, has recently opened Miniland Las Vegas and Captain Cranky's Challenge, a rocking pirate ship ride; also recently opened Spellbreaker 4-D movie experience; Knight's Tournament "robo-coaster," on which riders can choose the intensity of their ride experience; Wild Woods Golf, a separate-fee 18-hole mini-golf course; visit the new Freedom Tower, the building that will soon rise on the site of the former World Trade Center in New York, in the Manhattan Island section of Miniland USA; Florida (with Cape Canaveral and the Daytona raceway), has opened in Miniland USA; Fun Town Fire Academy ride; Dino Island, a dinosaur-themed roller coaster that travels through a forest of life-sized dinosaurs created from Lego bricks; and Dig Those Dinos, a 2,400-square-foot sand pit where children can dig up reproductions of dinosaur claws, teeth and bones and then identify them at a fossil station; the 128-acre amusement park features more than 50 rides and attractions; hands-on Lego-building areas; roller coasters and water-play rides; boat and driving rides; live stage shows; park hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; $62, general; $52, children (3-12) and seniors; free, 2 and under; $10, parking; 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; (760) 918-5346 or legoland.com.

Raging Waters ---- The park is closed until May; California's largest water park features 36 slides and attractions including eight-story speed slides, 50-foot half-pipe slide; enclosed, twisting and misting slides up to 600 feet long; two-person bowl-slide; 10-story two-person slide; family raft ride; wave pool; Flow Rider perpetual wave machine; children's wading and play areas; opens at 10 a.m. daily; closing hours vary; $34.99, general (48 inches and up); $22.99, seniors (55 and up); $19.99, under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under; $10, parking; season passes, two for $99; 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas; (909) 802-2200 or ragingwaters.com.

San Diego Zoo ---- Koalapalooza, a celebration of the furry marsupials, will be held Jan. 16-19; the 100-acre zoo houses more than 4,000 animals of 800 species and 6,500 plant species; features include walk-through gorilla, polar bear, tiger and rain forest habitats; live shows; children's petting areas; Chinese giant panda exhibit; "Absolutely Apes" orangutan and siamang ape enclosure; "Monkey Trails and Forest Tales Habitat" is a 3-acre, walk-through multilevel habitat enclosure for African and Asian monkeys, leopards, snakes, tortoises, crocodiles and birds; hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (grounds close at 5 p.m.); $24.50-$34, adults; $16.50-$24, children (3-11); free, children 2 and under and military; free parking; Balboa Park, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego; (619) 234-3153 or sandiegozoo.org.

San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park ---- The park presents its last-ever "Festival of Lights" from 5 to 9 p.m. (gates close at 8 p.m.) Dec. 13-23, 26-30 and Jan. 2-3; event features animal light displays, hands-on crafts, snow hill sledding, animal encounters and more; Opened in 1972, the 1,800-acre wildlife preserve operated by the San Diego Zoological Society allows visitors to see more than 3,500 animals of 429 species in their naturalistic habitats on the new "Journey Into Africa" 25-minute tram ride ($6-$10); plus hands-on encounters, walk-through exhibits, live animal shows, children's petting areas; new ride, Balloon Safari, a tethered balloon that glides over the park's Serengeti plain for 15-minute rides, priced at $15; a 50-foot African-themed carousel with 61 animal-themed ride-on creatures is open; "Cheetah Run Safari" is a group tour that offers visitors a chance to see a cheetah sprint up close; "Lion Camp" offers visitors an up-close look at the African cats in their natural habitat; "Frequent Flyers" bird show is performed several times daily; SpongeBob motion simulator ride; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (grounds close at 5 p.m.); $28.50-$34, general; $17.50-$24, children (3-11); $9, parking ($14 for motorhomes); 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, San Pasqual Valley; (760) 747-8702 or wildanimalpark.org.

Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland ---- The aquarium is temporarily closed for upgrades; scheduled to reopen Dec. 26. Features include a 36,000-square-foot aquarium filled with more than 200 aquatic species including seahorses, stingrays and sharks. More than 70 models made from Lego bricks will be on display, including an 11-foot submarine; $18.95, adults; $15.95, seniors 60 and over; $11.95, children ages 3 to 12; $10, parking; 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; (760) 918-5346 or sealifeus.com.

SeaWorld San Diego ---- The SeaWorld Holiday celebration, featuring Christmas-themed Shamu and sea lion/sea otter shows, and seasonla decor and lighting, runs Dec. 20-31; the new Sesame Street Bay of Play play area, with three child-friendly rides, is open; area also includes "Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! in 4-D" film and the "Breakfast with Elmo" interactive dining experience; Summer Nights at Sea World, with special "Shamu Rocks" nighttime killer whale show, evening seal and dolphin shows, the Riptide stage show and nightly fireworks, runs daily through Dec. 22; opened in 1964, the 189-acre ocean-themed park owned by Anheuser-Busch features live shows with killer whales, dolphins and sea lions;hands-on sea creature encounters; skytower, virtual motion, rapids and splashdown rides; shark, seabird, penguin, dolphin, otter and manatee aquariums; Budweiser Clydesdale horses; stage shows and play areas; hands-on interactive experiences available with dolphins and beluga whales; hours vary, check Web site for daily schedule; $65, adults; $55, children (3-9); free, children 2 and under; $12, parking; 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego; (800) 257-4268 or seaworld.com/sandiego.

Six Flags Magic Mountain ---- The park's 16th coaster, Terminator, will open in spring 2009; "X2," a new sound-and-light roller coaster with 360-degree turns, is open; Thomas Town, a new children's play area themed to "Thomas the Tank Engine," recently opened; the theme park has the world's largest collection of roller coasters ---- 15, including Tatsu, billed as the world's tallest, fastest and longest "flying" coaster; Scream floorless coaster travels at 65 mph with a 150-foot drop and 128-foot vertical loop; plus children's play area, water rides, live shows; opens at 10 a.m. daily; closing hours vary; $59.99, general; $29.99, seniors (over 55) and children under 48 inches; free, 2 and under; $15, parking; 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; (661) 255-4111 or sixflags.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood ---- The park's holiday "Grinchmas" celebration ---- with fresh snow, visits by the Grinch and other Whoville residents, nightly tree-lighting ceremonies and photo ops ---- runs Dec. 22-31; the 415-acre movie-based theme park, built in 1964 on the grounds of the Universal television studios, features roller coasters and thrill rides, special effects-based live shows and a ride-through behind-the-scenes Studios Tour whose recent enhancements include sets and miniatures from Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" and Peter Jackson's "King Kong," a "Fast and the Furious" chase scene and narration by Whoopi Goldberg and a just-opened "Universal's House of Horrors" walk-through haunted house; "Revenge of the Mummy ---- The Ride," is one of the world's fastest indoor roller coasters (with forward/backward motion, 45 mph top speed and animatronic mummies) and has been renovated to include a chilling 45-degree mummy's tomb room; other features include a "Van Helsing" walk-through funhouse; "Shrek 4-D" ride; "Terminator 3-D" live/multimedia shows; "The Simpsons" virtual reality ride; "Waterworld" water show; "Jurassic Park," with new water features, "Back to the Future" thrill rides; Nickelodeon Blast Zone children's water play area; film and TV history exhibits; hours vary, but generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends; $64, adults; $54, children under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under; $74-$129, annual passes; $199 VIP experience; $10, parking ($20 preferred parking); 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City; universalstudioshollywood.com.

COMEDY

National Comedy Theatre New Year's Eve Spectacular ---- An audience-interactive, improvisational comedy program with catered food and an after-show with the cast; 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31; 3717 India St., San Diego; $69; (619) 295-4999.

Tracy Morgan ---- 8 p.m. Jan. 10; The Pavilion, Harrah's Rincon Casino & Resort, 777 Harrah's Rincon Way, Valley Center; $40-$50; (866) 468-3399 or harrahsrincon.frontgatetickets.com.

Jeff Dunham ---- 8 p.m. Jan. 16; Cox Arena, San Diego State University, 5500 Canyon Crest Drive, San Diego; $37.50-$46.50; (619) 220-8497 or ticketmaster.com.

Robin Williams: "Weapons of Self Destruction" ---- 8 p.m. Feb. 12; RIMAC Arena, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla; $51.50-$91.50; (619) 220-8497 or ticketmaster.com.

Wanda Sykes ---- 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28; The Grand Cabaret, Pala Casino Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala; $48-$65; (619) 220-8497 or ticketmaster.com.

COMEDY CLUBS

Improv Comedy Club at Pechanga ---- Improvisational comedy club hosts three comics nightly; 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 8 and 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; Pechanga Improv Comedy Club, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $21.95 plus two-drink minimum; (877) 711-2946.

Comedy Store La Jolla ---- New comedians nightly; 6:45 p.m. Sundays; 8 p.m. Wednesdays/Thursdays; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 916 Pearl St., La Jolla; $20 on Fridays/Saturdays; $8, Wednesdays; no cover/two-drink minimum, Sundays; (858) 454-9176.

National Comedy Theatre ----- San Diego-based improvisational comedy troupe creates on-the-spot skits from audience suggestions; appropriate for all audiences; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; National Comedy Theatre, 3717 India St., San Diego; $12, general; $10, students, seniors and military; (619) 295-4999 or www.nationalcomedy.com.