DEL MAR — Through Jan. 1, Del Mar will be transformed into a winter wonderland, ringing in the season with a host of holiday events and festivities.The city of Del Mar will offer free parking in downtown Del Mar throughout the holiday season. The all-day parking gift from the city includes complimentary parking along 15th Street, the metered parking under the L’Auberge Del Mar and along Camino Del Mar from 15th Street to 4th Street. The free parking takes place on weekends including Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, Dec. 21 abd Dec. 22 and Dec. 24, Dec. 25, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. For more information, visit delmarmainstreet.com.
On Nov. 15, Del Mar Plaza kicks off the season in style with the Holiday Fashion and Gift Preview luncheon at Pacifica Del Mar. The holiday fashion show, benefiting the Challenged Athletes Foundation: Operation Rebound, will feature haute couture from the Del Mar Plaza boutiques, fabulous prizes and a special menu. Tickets cost $45 per person. For more information, visit ranchandcoast.com.
Dec.7 begins “Holidays in the Heart of Del Mar Village” with a full day of interactive events including Winter Wonderland, the annual Tree Lighting ceremony, and an outdoor movie. The west corner of Camino Del Mar, 15th Street and the Del Mar Plaza will be the locations for the day’s festivities, including taking your own holiday pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, or dressing up with goofy props and ugly sweaters in the outdoor Holiday Photo Booth. Seasonal tunes will be performed by the Original Dickens Carolers, and real snow can be found at St. Peter’s Church. The Del Mar Village Restaurant’s Holiday Cookies competition will be accepting votes for the best cookie, while serving warm drinks. Local dance studios will perform on the Del Mar Plaza Ocean View Deck. Children can also participate in the Passport to the North Pole, receiving points from participating retailers to redeem for special prizes.
The celebration will come to a close with the Tree Lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. and an outdoor movie showing of the holiday comedy, “Elf” at the L’Auberge Amphitheater at 5:15 p.m. Picnic baskets can also be ordered from local participating restaurants to accompany the movie night for an evening family-picnic.
“Holidays in the Heart of Del Mar Village” continues Dec. 15 and Dec. 21 with “Santa By the Sea” at the L’Auberge Amphitheater, from 2 to 5 p.m. including pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Original Dickens Carolers. For more information on the events of “Holidays in the Heart of Del Mar,” visit delmarmainstreet.com.
Holiday shoppers have incentive to cross off their lists in Del Mar this season with the Holiday Voucher Program. From Nov. 18 through Dec. 24, guests who spend $75 at any Del Mar Village store can redeem their receipts for a $15 gift certificate to a participating Del Mar Village restaurant. Guests must bring their receipts to the Del Mar Village Visitor and Community Center to claim their certificate.
While shopping for local Christmas gifts in downtown Del Mar, guests can stop by the Del Mar Village Association office to pick up a Del Mar holiday keepsake. This year’s keepsakes include signature candles in “Torrey Pines Mist” and “15th Street Beach” scents for $12 each, limited edition holiday ornaments of Del Mar Library and Stratford Square for $10 each, Del Mar wine glasses, $25 for four or $7 each and an assortment of Del Mar license plates for $25 each. For more information, visit delmarmainstreet.com.
