Best Bets: A quick guide to La Jolla entertainment and experiences

The La Jolla Light presents this continuing listing of local in-person events and online activities.

Arts & culture

• The La Jolla/Riford Library hosts “Stories Imagined,” an exhibit featuring original works from the San Diego Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, from Thursday, Dec. 12, through Monday, Feb. 24, at 7555 Draper Ave. A public reception will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5. 858-552-1657

• The La Jolla Music Society presents a Holiday Open House from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. The event will feature a holiday market, arts and crafts and a children’s story time, followed by the Manny Cepeda Orchestra from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free. theconrad.org/events/2024-holiday-open-house

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego presents “Extended School Partnership Showcase: The Bishop’s School” running Friday, Dec. 13, to Sunday, Jan. 5, at the Gordon Gray Gallery, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Free with museum admission. mcasd.org/events/esp-bishops-24

• Arthur Hammons and his Knights play country-Western music from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at Hennessey’s Tavern, 7811 Herschel Ave., La Jolla. Free. 858-551-8772

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library opens its Holiday Bookstore from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The store will continue with the same hours Dec. 17-21, 24 and 27-28. ljathenaeum.org/events/holiday-book-sale-14-2024

• La Jolla artist Peggy Hinaekian hosts an art and wine event on her studio patio from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2279 Caminito Preciosa Norte. Gift items such as small paintings, watercolors, etchings, books and jewelry will be exhibited. A gift of a print will be offered to each visitor. 954-952-2210. peggyhinaekian.artspan.com

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library hosts a School of the Arts Poetry Reading at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Free. ljathenaeum.org/events/poetry-2024

• The Spanish Harlem Orchestra presents “Salsa Navidad,” a performance showcasing Spanish music and a spin on Christmas classics, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. The event will include a pre-performance interview by Robert John Hughes at 6:30 p.m. $68-$100. theconrad.org/events/spanish-harlem-orchestra

• The La Jolla/Riford Library presents chamber music by Dvorak and Schumann at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 at, 7555 Draper Ave. Performers will include Hervé Brönniman (violin), Penny Bridges (viola), Janet White (cello), Michael Krause (piano), Geoff Brimhall (violin), Laurie Smith (viola), Bruce Windoffer (violin) and Michael Gorman (piano). Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/piano-chamber-music-dvorak-and-schumann-424120

• La Jolla Presbyterian Church presents Handel’s “Messiah” and popular Christmas carols at 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at 7715 Draper Ave. The event will feature a 65-voice choir, a professional orchestra, children’s choirs (4 p.m.) and a handbell choir (7 p.m.). A holiday reception will follow the evening performance. Free. ljpres.org/concert-series

• The La Jolla Music Society presents the Connie Han Trio at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at The JAI at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. $50-$65. theconrad.org/events/connie-han-trio

• La Jolla Playhouse presents “Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again,” a comedy written by Anna Ouyang Moench and directed by Les Waters, through Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. $30-$95. lajollaplayhouse.org/show/your-local-theater-presents

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the Rob Thorsen Trio at noon Monday, Dec. 16, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Free. ljathenaeum.org/events/mini-concert-2024-1216

• Warwick’s bookstore presents actor and author Brian Baumgartner of “The Office” TV series at a meet-and-greet signing event for his book “The Night Before Christmas at Dunder Mifflin” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. $19.99 for a reserved seat and book copy. warwicks.com/event/baumgartner-2024

• The La Jolla Library Poetry Group meets at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/la-jolla-library-poetry-group-30

• The History Matters Book Club for Middle Graders meets at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave. The December book is “Enigma Girls” by Candace Fleming. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/middle-grade-book-club-404252

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts author Sarah Thornton reading from and signing her new book exploring the social and cultural significance of breasts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. Free. mcasd.org/events/sarah-thornton

• Camarada presents “Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, 7600 Fay Ave., La Jolla. $68-$98. theconrad.org/events/24-25-camarada_charlie-brown

• Warwick’s bookstore presents holiday story time with hot chocolate beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, at 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla. The event commemorates Iceland’s tradition of the “Christmas Book Flood,” when the majority of books in Iceland are sold as people prepare to give them as gifts on Christmas Eve and spend the night reading. warwicks.com/event/book-flood-2024 

• Quint Gallery’s The Museum of __ presents “The Sea Ranch, 2024,” a collection of paintings by artist Monique van Genderen, through Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7655 Girard Ave., La Jolla. There also are a related short film and poem. quintgallery.com

• The School of the Arts Book Club meets at 4 p.m. Tuesdays through March 4 at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. The sessions, led by Anna DiMartino, will cover: Jan. 7, “The First Ladies” by Marie Benedict; Feb. 4, “The Wildes” by Louis Bayard; and March 4, “The Secret Life of Sunflowers” by Marta Molnar. $10 for Athenaeum members, $15 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/class/82

• The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library presents the art exhibition “Carlos Castro Arias: The Splinter in the Eye” through Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. Free. ljathenaeum.org/events/exhibition-2024-castro-arias.

• The monthly Athenaeum Jazz series concludes with a performance by the Alex Kautz Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla. $50 for Athenaeum members, $55 for non-members. ljathenaeum.org/jazz

• The La Jolla Historical Society presents “Urban Ecologies” as part of “Helen and Newton Harrison: California Work” through Sunday, Jan. 19, at 780 Prospect St. The exhibition, curated by Tatiana Sizonenko, is part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide.” lajollahistory.org/helen-and-newton-harrison-california-work

• The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego hosts “For Dear Life: Art, Medicine and Disability” through Sunday, Feb. 2, at 700 Prospect St., La Jolla. The exhibition depicts illness and impairment from the 1960s to the COVID-19 era. It is part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide.” mcasd.org/exhibitions/for-dear-life-art-medicine-and-disability.

• Birch Aquarium at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography hosts “Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen” at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The installation features 11 projects blending art and science into interactive experiences focused on scientific ocean exploration. The exhibition, part of the Getty Foundation series “PST Art: Art & Science Collide,” runs until September. Included with aquarium admission. aquarium.ucsd.edu

Galas & events

• The La Valencia Hotel hosts a Holiday Tea from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12, 13, 19, 20 and 27 at 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla. $95. lavalencia.com/events/la-jolla/holiday-tea-series-9286768

• The Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa presents “Santa’s Suite” from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in December at 9700 N. Torrey Pines Road. Guests can meet Santa Claus, sip hot chocolate and participate in cookie decorating and other holiday activities. estancialajolla.com

• The La Jolla Community Center hosts a holiday celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. $10 for Community Center members, $25 for non-members. ljcommunitycenter.org/holiday-celebration-2024

• The La Valencia Hotel presents “Santa’s Storytime Brunch” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15, in the Mediterranean Room, 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla. lavalencia.com/events/la-jolla/santas-storytime-brunch

• Birch Aquarium hosts “Season of Play” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Monday, Dec. 16, to Sunday, Jan. 5, at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla. The event includes seasonal decor, music and a sock skating rink. Included with admission to the aquarium. aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/season-play

• The La Jolla Community Center hosts Holiday Bingo Afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd. The event will feature seasonal prizes and light refreshments. Free. ljcommunitycenter.org/specialevents

• Family Board Game Afternoon is set for noon Saturday, Dec. 21, at the La Jolla/Riford Library, 7812 Girard Ave., for children ages 2-17 and their families. Free. sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/family-board-game-program-399952

• Latkes, doughnuts, gelt, crafts, music and entertainment are featured at Chabad of La Jolla’s Hanukkah menorah lighting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, at the La Valencia Hotel, 1132 Prospect St. Email chabadaoflajolla@gmail.com or call 858-455-5433.

Do you have an event — online or in person — that you’d like to see here? Email your leads to Rob Vardon at robert.vardon@lajollalight.com by noon Friday for publication in the following week’s edition. ♦