Gallery: Imperial Beach Gets in the Holiday Spirit

The Light Trees are up, the banners on streets lights have changed and wreaths have been hung on the pier.

As customary signs of the holiday season begin to emerge, South Bay holiday traditions continued Saturday in and near Imperial Beach.

In Otay Mesa, hundreds of people attended the 9th Annual Snow Day-Winter Wonderland at Montgomery-Waller Park Saturday morning.

Since reindeer are gearing up for Christmas Eve action, Santa was going to arrive in a helicopter, but fog kept him on the ground and he received a police escort instead, a city employee said.

At Pier Plaza, more people than ever showed up to celebrate a decade of Christmas Comes to IB, organizers said. Sponsored by near 70 local individuals and businesses, 15 bikes and hundreds of presents were raffled off and given to attendees.

Music was provided by Debbie Fox and the Mar Vista High School and Church at the Beach bands. Jim Mickelson was the event's Master of Ceremonies.

Award-winning local sand sculpting teams I.B. Posse and Sand Squirrels spent part of the day creating a Christmas sand sculpture at the foot of the pier that included Santa, elves and a sandcastle with presents.

A 20-foot tall Christmas tree that was installed earlier this week was lit for the first time as the celebration came to an end at sunset.

For its second night in a row, Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. a Living Nativity Performance was held at St. James Lutheran Church to tell the story of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Imperial Beach United Methodist Church choir joined in the performance which included about a dozen actors and live animals. At one point, a stubborn donkey momentarily held up the show.

Elsewhere in San Diego, Coronado held its annual holiday parade Friday. According to the Chula Vista Star-News, the annual Chula Vista holiday parade was canceled this year due to street improvements on 3rd Avenue.

December Nights celebrations in Balboa Park concluded Saturday.

The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights will take place Sunday and continue next Sunday. Click here to learn more.

Know any holiday events not yet included in the IB Patch event calendar? Share in comments or email editor Khari Johnson at khari.johnson@patch.com.