Encinitas events this weekend and beyond (Dec. 2)

Heritage Tree Lighting at Moonlight Beach

The city-designated Heritage Tree, a 90-foot Norfolk Island pine tree, will be covered in LED lights during the holidays and the ceremonial lighting event is set for Friday, Dec. 2 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Fourth and C Streets.

Enjoy caroling, refreshments and good cheer at the free event, which is presented by the Encinitas Historical Society and Luis Ortiz.

For more information, visit encinitashistoricalsociety.wordpress.com or call 760-753-5726.

Russian Season By The Sea: soprano Zhanna Alkhazova

A rising young star on the international operatic stage, Zhanna Alkhazova will perform music from romance to opera, including many of the great arias for soprano, at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive, on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.

Cost is $30 at the door, and more information is available by calling 619-857-7359.

Alkhazova’s season highlights include performing the lead in operas Manon Lescaut and Don Carlo, a recital at Lincoln Center and a concert tour of Russia.

Encinitas Guitar Orchestra Christmas Concert

The West Coast’s largest orchestra made entirely of guitars presents Christmas favorites along with other festive compositions on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 925 Balour Drive.

There is a suggested donation of $12 and more information is at encinitasguitarorchestra.com or by calling 760-943-0755.

The orchestra is made up for 35 local amateur and semi-professional guitarists playing pieces as a full orchestra, along with smaller ensembles.

Women, Anger and Empowerment workshop

Ellen Speert presents this popular workshop on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the California Center for Creative Renewal, 1905 Crest Drive.

The workshop empowers women to explore the full range of our emotions, from joy to grief, from delight to anger, and is a chance for them to assert their power. The cost is $110.

For more information, call 760-436-3310 or visit artretreats.com/events/women-anger-empowerment-2.

Encinitas Holiday Parade

Thousands of people will be on floats and in bands with tens of thousands cheering them on as the parade, with the theme Encinitas86, rolls along Coast Highway 101 (from D to J Street south) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Attendees can come early (5 p.m.) for the tree lightning in the Lumberyard. Free parking shuttles are available from Scripps Memorial Hospital and Ecke Sports Park.

For more information, visit encinitasca.gov/index.aspx?page=297 or call 760-633-2740.

This Week at Art Lounge on 101

Watercolor Gift Tags (Saturday, Dec. 3): From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., instructor Barbara Roth will present this painting class for all levels at Art Lounge on 101, 816 S. Coast Highway 101.

Learn simple drawing techniques to draw holiday and other subjects, and all the watercolor painting techniques you need to create mini paintings in class and at home. Cost is $35 plus a $5 materials fee.

Nuno Felt Scarf Design (Saturday, Dec. 3): From 2 to 5 p.m., all levels are invited for a fun afternoon designing and creating a one-of-a-kind scarf with instructor Tami Zohar. The process is a combination of wet felt over a colorful silk background. Cost is $75 which includes a $15 materials fee.

Mosaic Frame (Saturday, Dec. 3): Diane Ziegler will teach this class for all levels from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $64 including materials.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to practice or advance the visual flow and direction of your piece and work with a variety of tile pieces and found objects.

Christmas Tree/Wreath Succulents (Sunday, Dec. 4): From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., all levels are invited to reate a gift or a piece of living art for yourself with instructor Paige Perkins. Cost is $78 plus $15 for materials.

Essential Oils Gifts (Sunday, Dec. 4): Kristal Molina will teach all levels from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Cost of $50 includes materials, but students should bring a journal and pen.

Students will make three fall themed essential oils products: Brown sugar scrub, essential oil room spray and natural lip balm.

For more information on these classes, visit artloungeon101.com/events or call 858-442-8666.

Studio Door opening reception

The Studio Door artists will host a reception for their exhibit A Day at the Beach, which features oil and acrylic paintings and glass sculptures, is set for Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m.

At the Encinitas Community Center Gallery, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, the exhibition is a celebration of creative diversity. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments at this free event.

For more information, visit thestudiodoor.com/inside/?page_id=1825 or 760-632-9711.

Botanic Garden of Lights

The Botanic Garden is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland with over 100,000 sparkling lights for a magical holiday experience Dec. 3-23 and 26-30 at the San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive.

From 5 to 9 p.m., celebrate the season with horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, live entertainment, food, hot mulled wine (on select nights) and visits with Santa.

Cost is $15, $10, $5 and free for kids ages 0-2. For more information, call 760-436-3036 or visit sdbgarden.org/lights.htm.

First Sunday Music Series: Courtly Noyse

On Sunday, Dec. 4 from 2 to 3 p.m., the music ensemble Courtly Noyse will present a vocal and instrumental concert of Medieval and Renaissance music at the Encinitas Library.

The group performs on reproductions of period instruments, while wearing period costumes.

The concert is presented by the Encinitas Friends of the Library and more information is available at encinitaslibfriends.org/Events18.php.

Artisan Market benefiting CRC

Buy handmade and shop local at this open house and shopping experience on Friday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Union Cowork, 1010 S. Coast Highway 101 Ste. 103.

A portion of proceeds goes to support the Community Resource Center.

For more information about this free event, visit facebook.com/events/1157040261047739.

Coastal Communities holiday concert

Tom Cole conducts this 75-member, Encinitas-based band, which will perform festive holiday music with guest soloist Michael Ruhl at the Carlsbad Community Church, 3175 Harding Street, on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Tickets for the 2 p.m. concert cost $20, $15 and proceeds benefit Meals-on-Wheels.

Tickets and more info are available at meals-on-wheels.org/events or by calling 760-736-9900.

Concert: Vocalocity Show Choir

At its first performance, Encinitas’ new youth show choir will present a collection of song and dance numbers as part of the Joyous Noise Musical Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 3.

This free concert begins at noon at the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive.

For more information, call 760-672-6415 or send a message to jlydersen77@gmail.com.

San Elijo Life lecture

San Elijo Life presents free lecture; Biocultural Perspectives on Aging by Dr. Lynne Miller, Professor of Anthropology, on Friday, Dec. 9 at the San Elijo Campus of MiraCosta College, 3333 Manchester Ave. in Room 201.

Aging is inevitable and we all know the biological challenges that come along with it. However, analysis of cultural practices from around the world show us that our behavior can impact our biology and thus change the very nature of the aging process.

More information is available by sending a message to lifesanelijo@gmail.com.

Visit Santa Claus in downtown Encinitas

The Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association presents Santa Claus visit in The Lumberyard Courtyard, S. Coast Hwy 101 and H Street, on Saturday, Dec. 10 or Saturday, Dec. 17 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Receive a free digital photo of your child’s visit with Santa courtesy of Shadowcatcher Imagery (shadowcatcherimagery.com).

For more information, visit encinitas101.com/events/santa-claus.

North Coast Symphony Orchestra

Directed by Daniel Swem, the North Coast Symphony Orchestra will perform “Dashing through the Snow” on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive.

The concert will feature holiday selections like “Tintinabulations,” “A Christmas Festival,” “The Bells of Cristmas,” “Fantasia on Greensleeves” and much more.

Tables will be available for picnicking, and tickets are available at the door for $10 (general), $8 (seniors/students/military) and a $25 family max.

For more information, visit northcoastsymphony.com.

Half price book sale

The Friends of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library will hold their holiday half price book and bake sale on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Cardiff Library, 2081 Newcastle Avenue.

All books, including rare collectibles, as well as media, will be half off their marked price, and the Friends of the Library will also have an assortment of homemade baked goodies at reasonable prices. All proceeds go to support the library and its programs.

La Paloma Theatre

Now Showing: Sully, A Man Called Ove, Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Tickets: $10, $9 (cash only). 471 Coast Hwy. 101. Show Times 760-436-7469.

Check out the city’s newsletter at https://bit.ly/2ghU4Pt for more information.