‘Hugs from Home’ sends care packages to deployed military

CARLSBAD

Free holiday concert this week at center

The Carlsbad Senior Center’s 35-member choral group will sing holiday favorites in two free performances from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at 799 Pine Ave. The holiday numbers will include carols, a Hanukkah selection, a singalong and other holiday music. Call (760) 602-4650.

Restaurant hosts Christmas party

Señor Grubby’s hosts its eighth annual Community Christmas Party & Food Drive Fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at 377 Carlsbad Village Drive to benefit Got Your Back San Diego, a nonprofit weekend food assistance program for children. The event features Santa Claus, rides on the Carlsbad Fire Department Antique fire engine, snowfall, face painting, a photo booth, bounce house, magic show, raffle and giveaways. Bring shelf stable milk, individual macaroni and cheese packs and bar soap. Admission is free. Email darby@eatgrubbys.com.

Resort puts on Holiday Nights on Thursday

The Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa hosts Holiday Nights from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at 5480 Grand Pacific Drive. Highlights include rides on the “Holly Trolley,” snow sledding, s’mores roasting, cookie decorating and ornament decorating (both available for purchase) and live entertainment along with spiked hot chocolate. Visit marriott.com/hotels/travel/sanwc-the-westin-carlsbad-resort-and-spa.

ENCINITAS

Free concert set for Wednesday at library

The free Wednesdays@Noon performance features soprano Diana Farrell, baritone Michael O’Lalloran and pianist Kate Bode performing arias, duets and scenes from favorite operas by Mozart, Puccini, Bizet and others from noon to 12:50 p.m. Wednesday at the Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. Visit dianafarrellsoprano.com; call (760) 633-2746.

Botanic garden features holiday wonderland

The San Diego Botanic Garden continues its Holiday Nights in the Garden through Dec. 30 in the new Dickinson Family Education Conservatory at the garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Nightly festivities include a musical light show and kids fun zone with “snowfall,” 10-foot poinsettia tower, live entertainment, visits with Santa today and Dec. 17-23, visits with a Snow Princess Dec. 26-30, twinkling light tunnel, holiday shopping bazaar and holiday crafts, along with food truck court, hot chocolate and beer, wine and mulled wine. Full festivities are from 5 to 8:30 p.m. today, Dec. 17-23 and Dec. 26-30 (closed Christmas Day). Tickets are $6-$25; free for active-duty military. Visit sdbgarden.org.

Holiday T-shirt

for blood donors

The city of Encinitas will host a Mobile Blood Drive with the San Diego Blood Bank from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at 505 S. Vulcan Ave. in the parking lot. Donors will receive a limited-edition holiday T-shirt, while supplies last. Donors must be ages 17 and older, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in good health. Photo identification is required. Walk in or make an appointment at (800) 469-7322 or sandiegobloodbank.org.

ESCONDIDO

‘Cirque Dreams Holidaze’ at arts center

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido presents “Cirque Dreams Holidaze” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Concert Hall, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. The performance features 20 world-class acts, more than 300 costumes, singers, original music and seasonal favorites celebrating Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s in a two-hour performance Tickets are $45-$100 at artcenter.org.

Irish Christmas performance

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido hosts Irish Christmas in America at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Center Theater, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. The show features Irish music, song, dance and stories of seasonal Irish traditions. This family-friendly performance includes instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp, along with Irish old-style dancing. Tickets are $40-$55 at artcenter.org/event/irish-christmas-in-america.

Class on sharing photos, videos

A class on “Sharing Holiday Memories with Family and Friends” will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Escondido Senior Center, 210 E. Park Ave. Attendees learn several ways to share memories with family and friends as well as safely store them using various apps. Bring charged smartphone to class. Instructor is Debby Golden, an author and lecturer. Fee for class #920 is $10. Visit sandiegooasis.org or call (619) 881-6262.

‘Miracles of the Season’ at theater

Patio Playhouse Community Theater presents “Miracles of the Season,” a pairing of two one-act musicals with holiday themes revolving around Hanukkah and Christmas through Dec. 22. The musicals are “Bubbe and the Mensch on a Quest,” written by local playwright and children’s book author Shari Lyon, and “Las Posadas,” a San Diego premiere, written by Deborah Somuano. Performances are 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at the mainstage theater, 116 S. Kalmia Ave. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, military and students, and $12 for ages 16 and younger at (760) 746-6669 or patioplayhouse.com.

FALLBROOK

Free holiday concert Thursday at library

The Fallbrook Library will hold a free holiday concert featuring Freaney & Friends at 1 p.m. Thursday at the library, 124 S. Mission Road. Freaney’s guest this month will be San Diego pianist and composer Christine Brown, who will play Christmas favorites with classical selections. Call (760) 731-4650.

Choir to perform holiday songs Thursday

The Friends of the Fallbrook Library will sponsor a winter concert at 7 p.m. Thursdayat 124 S. Mission Road. The Fallbrook High School choir will sing holiday songs. Call (760) 731-4650.

Holiday boutique at library until Dec. 23

The Friends of the Fallbrook Library’s Bottomshelf Bookstore is running its annual Christmas Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays until Dec. 23 at the library, 124 S. Mission Road. The boutique includes books of all genres saved for the occasion along with audio and video selections. Proceeds benefit the library. Call (760) 451-9606 or visit fallbrooklibraryfriends.org.

OCEANSIDE

Turkeys sought for Christmas dinner

The Brother Benno’s Center is asking for donations of turkeys for its holiday meal that serves the homeless and needy families. Community members can drop off turkeys no later than Monday from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brother Benno’s Center, 3260 Production Ave. For questions, call (760) 439-1244.

Winter piano recital

at recreation center

Oceanside Parks and Recreation hosts a piano recital from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday featuring students in Oceanside “For Kid’s Sake” Afterschool Program. The event is at Balderrama Recreation Center, 709 San Diego St. Call (760) 435-5530.

Nonprofit collecting pajamas, gift cards

Brother Benno’s Auxiliary is collecting pajamas, sizes 0-14, and $25 gift cards from Walmart or Target to be distributed at the Oceanside-based nonprofit’s holiday gathering for community members in need. Drop off donations at the Brother Benno Center, 3260 Production Ave., or the Brother Benno Thrift Store, 3955 Mission Ave. Label donations: Attention Helen Parsons, Children’s Christmas. Visit brotherbenno.org.

POWAY

RB Chorale presents Christmas show

Pat Bean’s RB Chorale will present “Believe in the Magic of Christmas” at 7 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road. The show will feature classic holiday songs, including songs celebrating Hanukkah and a patriotic salute to the military. Jim Tompkins-MacLaine will direct this show while Pat Bean is on leave. Tickets are $22-$35; proceeds go to the chorale’s scholarship program. Visit rbchorale.org or call (858) 485-SONG (7664).

SOLANA BEACH

Rockin’ Cranberries jazz quartet to perform

The Rockin’ Cranberries jazz quartet will perform at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave. Singing is accompanied by hand chimes. Admission is free. Refreshments start at 6 p.m., followed by program at 6:30 p.m. Visit sdcl.org.

LINDA MCINTOSH U-T

northcounty@sduniontribune.com