Your 2011 Imperial Beach Holiday Guide

Before you know it, the holidays will be here.

There are plenty of fun events to celebrate the season and ways to volunteer around Imperial Beach and nearby. Here are a few.

As always, feel free to share holiday events you know about in the comments or email editor Khari Johnson at khari.johnson@patch.com

Remember, after Black Friday it's Small Business Saturday, a day which encourages people to shop local and buy their Christmas presents from a small business.

The Holiday Guide and stories can be accessed in the News drop-down menu throughout the holidays.

Around Christmas, members of the Business Improvement District will drive around town in search of Christmas lights and decorations on-display at area homes and businesses. 

Light Up IB first place winner gets $100, second $50 and third $25. Homes and businesses are judged in different categories.

Registration is not necessary but you can call the Chamber of Commerce office at 619-424-3151 to remind them to drive by your place. A particular date for BID judges to view homes and businesses will be identified in the near future, said the chamber's Kim Palkovic.

Students in the SBUSD Performing Arts program at Mendoza Elementary School will hold their annual holiday concert Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Open to public. $5 a person.

Have some hot chocolate, sing carols and witness the living nativity at St. James Lutheran Church and School Dec. 2 and 3 from 6-8 p.m. 

Join the Imperial Beach/South Bay Kiwanis Club and the Boys and Girls Club of Imperial Beach-South County for a free Thanksgiving meal Wednesday Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving 5K

Join thousands of people in a Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk to raise money to feed the homeless Nov. 24 at 8 a.m.

Anyone without Thanksgiving dinner is invited to attend a Thanksgiving Day feast at  Nov. 24 from 11-2 p.m. Food donations and volunteers are still sought.

Meet and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy holiday treats, live entertainment, games and a petting zoo at Christmas Comes to IB.

At the end, a 30-foot Christmas tree at the center of a stage in Pier Plaza will be lit.

The Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce is still . Major sponsors advertisements will be placed on a fence at the foot of the tree.

Volunteers are also needed from 9-5:30 p.m. 

Chula Vista Starlight Parade

Now in its 50th year, join in the tradition Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.

Bring a present and join a two-hour Zumba session at this benefit to collect Toys for Tots donations. 

Hundreds of thousands of people attend this Balboa Park holiday celebration. Across the park, there will be celebrations of all kinds from around the world.

The boat parade's route navigates north San Diego Bay in the Coronado and Harbor Island area. In its 40th year, this year's theme is "Back to the Future." 

The parade will be held Dec. 11 and 18 at 5:30 p.m.

If you want to show off your lights and sails, it costs $40 to enter the parade. 

Enjoy hors dourves, entertainment and the company of local business owners at the Imperial Beach Chamber of Commerce's holiday mixer Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. Only open to chamber members.

Santa will arrive on a boat in Seaport Village Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. While there, you can .