Photo gallery: Ocean Beach rides a wave of holiday spirit in 43rd annual parade
The Ocean Beach Holiday Parade filled Newport Avenue with floats, classic cars, musicians and thousands of spectators for its 43rd year Dec. 3.
The parade, themed “Jingle All the Waves,” set out on Newport between Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Abbott Street.
OB’s holiday tree, dubbed the “crooked tree” because of its traditional lean, was lighted to begin the parade. It’s on the beach at the end of Newport Avenue.
More holiday events
Here are holiday events that are coming up or ongoing in Point Loma and Ocean Beach:
Point Loma
• Rady Children’s Ice Rink: The rink in the Central Promenade of the Arts District at Liberty Station in Point Loma is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Sunday, Jan. 8, except Christmas Day. The rink helps raise funds for the Thriving After Cancer program at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for children, with discounts available online and for the military. For more information, visit rchicerink.org.
• San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: The 52nd annual parade will feature lavishly decorated boats with the theme “FantaSea” starting at Shelter Island at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 and 18. The roughly two-hour route will travel west past Harbor Island, then south along the Embarcadero, Seaport Village and Cesar Chavez Park before turning parallel with the Coronado Bridge to the west side of the bay. The parade then will proceed past the Coronado Ferry Landing to the finish line. Awards will be presented to the best-decorated boats. Viewing areas will be available at multiple locations along the bay. For more details, visit sdparadeoflights.org.
• Nutcracker Tea Party: The event Sunday, Dec. 18, will feature hot cocoa and cookies (plus coffee, hot tea and water), a narrated performance of “The Nutcracker” by San Diego Ballet, a visit from Santa and more. Show times are 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road. Tickets are $55-$65 and are available at libertystation.tix.com.
• Hanukkah menorah lighting: The Jewish holiday tradition will celebrate the start of Hanukkah at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Liberty Station between The Lot and the Rady Children’s Ice Rink. Free holiday festivities in partnership with Chabad of Downtown San Diego and Chabad of Pacific Beach will continue until 8 p.m.
Ocean Beach
• Holiday Food & Toy Drive: Now through Saturday, Dec. 17. Food can be donated at the Masonic Center, 1711 Sunset Cliffs Blvd. New unwrapped toys can be dropped off at designated donation stations at:
- Ocean Beach Business Center, 4967 Newport Ave.
- Newbreak Church, 4694 Cape May Ave.
- Water’s Edge Faith Community, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
- Compass Realty, 1021 Rosecrans St.
- Pruett Realty, 1845 Sunset Cliffs Blvd.
- Joshua Lightcap, financial advisor, 5083 Santa Monica Ave.
- Little House of Flowers, 1017 Rosecrans St.
The Ocean Beach Town Council’s goal this year to feed and provide presents to more than 150 local families and senior citizens. To donate or volunteer, go to givebutter.com/FTD2022.
• Holiday Auction and Party: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at The Holding Co. restaurant, 5046 Newport Ave. The event will include live and silent auctions, and Holiday Parade award winners will be announced. Proceeds will benefit Town Council holiday programs. To donate an auction item, email info@obtowncouncil.org.
— Point Loma-OB Monthly staff