Carolyn Wormser has vivid memories of participating in a longstanding San Diego holiday tradition with her young sons in tow.
“It was always such an enchanting and wonderful experience,” she recalls of those cozy holiday memories courtesy December Nights, the annual holiday extravaganza centered around Balboa Park. “My kids always loved going to Santa’s village, and, of course, the carnival.”
Cherished memories like Wormser’s have lasting effects for families throughout the years. And with its 42nd annual iteration on the horizon, the ing time has also brought change. While Wormser’s kids are now grown and out of the house, she has gone from mere spectator to organizer.
“I took my young children before I knew I’d ever start working on it,” says Wormser, who didn’t know where her life would eventually lead her. Today, she’s in charge of the festivities. Her official title is the city of San Diego’s Director of Special Events & Filming Department, the entity behind December Nights.
With her personal history with the two-day event, it’s a position that hits close to home.
“Everybody has a special story about December Nights,” she says. “We hear every year about two or three generations of families coming together every year or people getting engaged. There’s so much to it, and it’s really a gift to the citizens of the region.”
Haul out the holly
Planning for December Nights is a year-round process, with plotting for this year’s event kicking off only days after 2018’s edition when hopeful vendors were invited to apply for a hotly contested slot.
“Then we’ll do a debrief in January of what went well the year before and what needs improvement,” says Wormser, who notes that by summer, the event’s performers and vendors are chosen.
Then there’s the creation of the numerous photo ops and glittery sights to behold — some of which have become hallmarks of the event, with decorated trees and sparkling lights at every turn.
Wormser points out that December Nights has evolved into a delight for foodies, with over a hundred vendors hawking treats ranging from churros (Churriza), smoked mac and cheese (King Benny’s Fat Mac) to gluten-free baked goods (Awafee).
In addition, the festival also boasts an array of international holiday-themed options at International Cottages from the world over — whether England (mince pie), Denmark (Aebleskiver with strawberry jam and apple stew) or Italy (sausage and pepper heroes). To accommodate hungry visitors, Wormser notes that “We want people to really enjoy the food, so this year we’re adding seating and belly bars throughout the event.”
Favorite performers
This year’s list of entertainers will be almost as stacked as their food choices, providing a cacophony of styles and sounds for people from all walks of life. According to Wormser, diversity was a key element when it came to booking entertainment.
“This year, we’ll have lion dancers, belly dancers, rockers and ballet,” she says. “We have groups who have been coming for many years, but we also we try to introduce new ones.”
Other performers include the 19-year-old singer-songwriter Sabrina Pineda, rockabilly group The Sea Monks and the House of Chamorros, a group made up of the indigenous people of the Southeast Asian Mariana Islands.
For Wormser, a display of the Swedish Christmas tradition known as St. Lucia is a personal highlight.
“It’s gone on for many years at December Nights,” says Wormser of the tradition that traces back to the 1700s and is based on stories told by the monks who initially spread Christianity around the country. “It’s a beautiful procession holding candles and wearing traditional white.”
A late addition to the festivities is what Wormser describes as a gift to the community: a Saturday night performance from the iconic ’70s-era group The Village People, who will be taking listeners on a musical journey through their hits as well as holiday favorites. Frontman Victor Willis, who’s the cop in the group, lives in San Diego and “they’re doing this performance for free for the city,” says Wormser, noting a citywide “Y.M.C.A.” is one of the many other aspects she’s looking forward to.
“Village People are very excited at the opportunity to perform our Christmas show during December Nights,” says Willis, the original lead singer. “Attendees can expect to hear holiday favorites and all the Village People hits. And (of course), we’ll all do the Y.M.C.A. dance.”
It all amounts to another year of jolly memories for Wormser, her team and the region at large.
“Balboa Park is the jewel and heart of the city,” she says, thinking back to her earliest days as a mere visitor. “To come together once a year and as a community celebrate not only the park but the institutions and organizations, as well as the groups and vendors, is something that is really special.”
Balboa Park December Nights
When: 3-11 p.m. Friday, and noon-11 p.m. Saturday
Where: Balboa Park
Tickets: Free ission (with many Balboa Park museums waiving ission fees between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. both days)
Parking: Limited free parking is available at the San Diego Zoo, while paid parking is available at the Inspiration Point parking lot ($20 per car).
Online: For information on December Nights, including parking and transportation, go to sandiego.gov/december-nights
LeDonne is a freelance writer.
