Sunday, Nov. 22
Breakfast with Shamu and Santa ---- SeaWorld is offering children and their families an opportunity to have a buffet breakfast in the park, up-close to Shamu and his killer whale family, with a special visit from Santa Claus; 10 to 11 a.m. (through Thursday); program also runs Dec. 18 to 31; SeaWorld, 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego; $26, general; $16, ages 3 to 9 (in addition to park admission and parking); 800-2574268 or www.seaworldsandiego.com.
Julian Arts Guild 2009 Open Studio & Galleries Tour ---- The Julian artists group hosts its annual studios tour. Pick up maps to artists' homes and studios at the Julian Chamber of Commerce; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m; $10 per car; 760-765-0484 or ulianartsguild.org.
Poinsettia greenhouse tours ---- Weidners Gardens in Encinitas opens its poinsettia greenhouse for guided tours, offering behind-the-scenes tips and facts on growing the colorful holiday plants. Also, floral designer Debbie Johnson will be creating arrangements with poinsettias and succulents. Hot cider, cookies and door prizes will be offered; tours at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 3 p.m.; Weidners Gardens, 695 Normandy Road, Encinitas; free; 760-436-2194.
Del Mar Antique Show concludes ---- More than 250 antique dealers from throughout the Western United States offer antiques and collectibles during the 50th annual show. This year's show is subtitled the "Century of Style Design Show," with a focus on antiques from the 20th century, including arts and crafts, art deco, midcentury modern and art nouveau pieces. There will be booths specializing in crystal, glass, pottery, art, jewelry, silver, Americana, primitives, furniture and paper ephemera. There will also be antique and restoration artists on hand for consultations on wicker, damaged glass, crystal, porcelain, pottery, rugs and jewelry. Professional appraisers will offer $5 appraisals; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar; $8; $9 parking; www.calendarshows.com.
California Surf Festival concludes ---- The second festival, sponsored by the California Surf Museum and Fuel TV, finishes with a program of film screenings from noon to 3 p.m. at the Sunshine Brooks Theater, followed by an awards ceremony from 3 to 4 p.m., where local surfer Gary Linden will receive the Silver Surfer Award and the festival's top short films will be honored; noon to 4:30 p.m.; 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside; $10 film screenings; $15, award ceremony; 760-579-3826 or www.californiasurffestival.com.
Monday, Nov. 23
"Transformers" screenings ---- The Oceanside Library hosts free screenings of the movie "Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen" at two of its branches this week. At 1:30 p.m., the film screens at the Mission branch at 3861 Mission Ave. It screens again at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Civic Center branch, 330 N. Coast Highway; 760-435-5600.
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Lego train opens ---- The San Diego Model Railroad Museum opens its annual Lego train exhibit, featuring the largest-ever miniature train layout decorated with displays made from Lego bricks, including a ski resort, hydroelectric dam, town, country structures, underseas areas and nine independently running light rail and main track lines; runs through Jan. 15; Balboa Park, 1649 El Prado, San Diego; $7; 619-696-0199 or sdmrm.com.
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Hotel Del opens ice rink ---- The Hotel del Coronado's oceanfront Windsor Lawn will be transformed into an public ice arena during the resort's fifth annual "Skating by the Sea" season; 2 to 5 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m. daily, plus a third session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends (after Dec. 19, all three sessions will be offered daily); through Jan. 3; Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado; $15, general; $10, children ages 10 and under (skates are $5 rental); 866-433-3030.
Thursday, Nov. 26
"Holiday of Lights" starts shining ---- The drive-through electric light show draws more than 21,000 carloads of people to a 1.5-mile course featuring more than 500 lighted, animated displays with themes ranging from holiday tableaux to patriotic scenes, animals, rising hot-air balloons and a tunnel of lights. A new feature this year is the Holiday Hayride (on Fridays only) for a more rustic ride through the exhibit. Board the hay wagon in the Paddock and rides leave on the half-hour from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hayride includes a hot drink and holiday cookie; general hours, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 5:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; runs through Jan. 1; Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar; admission price based on number of people per vehicle: $14, cars with up to five people; $19, cars with six or more; $49 per bus; $10, Holiday Hayride; 858-792-4252 or sdfair.com/holidayoflights.
Friday, Nov. 27
Santa's coming to Bates ---- Bates Nut Farm's 27th annual "Santa's Coming" arts and crafts fair features jewelry, knitted scarves, hats, pottery, soaps, candles, wood-carved and tturned products, metal art and a variety of food. The Valley Center Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. each morning for $6. Santa Claus will arrive by hayride at 1 p.m. (also Saturday). Children can take photos with Santa, get their faces painted, make their own ceramics gifts and visit the farm zoo; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (also 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 29); Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Road, Valley Center; free; 760-749-3333 or batesnutfarm.biz.
Cohen Glass Ranch show and sale ---- Glass-blowers Garry Cohen and Cherrie La Porte Cohen open their art studio/gallery for their 13th annual Thanksgiving weekend show and sale and offer glass-blowing demonstrations; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also Saturday and Nov. 29); 20307 Beech Lane, Escondido; 760-745-7020 or garrycohenstudio.com.
"A Celebration of Art" ---- Carlsbad Village's Thursdays on the Coast Art Walk moves back a day this week with a special program of art exhibits, live music, snacks and holiday festivities; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; pick up your guide at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad; free; 760-434-2553.
Saturday, Nov. 28
Birding class in Carlsbad ---- Learn from Tom Troy of the Buena Vista Audubon Society how to identify native and migrating birds by sight and sound at a birding class at the Buena Vista Lagoon Landing. There will be instruction on the use of binoculars and spotting scopes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, lawn chair and binoculars. Loaner binoculars and field guides will be available; 8:30 a.m.; Buena Vista Lagoon Landing, Jefferson Street, Carlsbad; free; 760-967-6915.
Santa drops into Oceanside ---- Mark Merrill Companies host a visit from Santa Claus (who will drop in by parachute), with crafts, carolers, a snow playground and more; noon to 3 p.m.; 427 College Blvd., Oceanside; 760-630-6687.
Julian holiday tree lighting ---- Julian opens its Julian Country Christmas season with a tree-lighting ceremony in Pioneer Park. Program begins at 4 p.m. with carolers and other festivities. Santa will arrive by fire engine just before the ceremony begins at 5 p.m.; Main Street, Julian; free; julianca.com.
