Coronado Times

"Aladdin Jr." with Islander Youth Theater
2025-11-20 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
CoSA Foundation and Playground Players Productions presents Aladdin Jr. with Islander Youth Theater.
Join us for a magical evening filled with singing, dancing, and fun as our talented young performers bring this beloved story to life. The show will take place at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Ave. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 pm.
Tickets are available at CoSAFoundation.org or at the door.
The cast is composed of 20 TK-1st grade students in the Junior show choir performing a medley prior to the cast of 50 students in 2nd-8th grade (pictured above) performing the main show. It’s family-friendly and great for audiences of all ages.
Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aladdin-jr-with-islander-youth-theater-tickets-1744769836549?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tween Dungeons and Dragons Club
2025-11-21 15:30 - 17:30 | Ruby Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Tween Dungeons and Dragons Club for students aged 8-13. Beginners welcome! Dungeon Masters provided by The Goblin Guild.

Musical Storytime Takeover with Ralph's World
2025-11-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Get ready for a fun filled morning of music with Ralph’s World at this special Storytime takeover. Perfect for littles (and their bigger siblings) to enjoy musical favorites and interactive fun.
Preschool storytime will resume as normal the following week.

Happy Thanksgiving Charlie Brown!
2025-11-25 15:00 - 16:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Good Grief! It’s time for Thanksgiving with Charlie Brown! Enjoy the feature film It’s Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown! with the traditional Peanut’s thanksgiving feast and a craft.

Holiday Festival at the Hotel del Coronado
2025-12-03 15:00 - 21:00 | Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join The Del for its annual Holiday Festival. This community event includes performances by Coronado school children, Skydiving Santa followed by photos, Skating by the Sea®, and a dazzling fireworks show.
Schedule of Events
CORONADO SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
Vista Terrace | Times TBA
Join Coronado schools as they sing holiday favorites and spread holiday cheer.
SKATING BY THE SEA
Windsor Lawn | 4-10 pm
Take an ice skating adventure on San Diego’s only beachfront ice rink.
SKYDIVING SANTA
Del Beach | 4:30 pm
Surprise and delight your little ones as Santa skydives onto Del Beach to join them for the Holiday Festival.
Courtesy photo.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
Location TBA | 5-8 pm
Capture the magic of the holiday season with a meeting and photo with Santa himself. Santa Passes will be distributed on-site for families to secure a time slot. No online reservations for this date.
Courtesy photo
“WONDER OF OZ” LIGHTSHOW SPECTACULAR
Founders Lawn | 5-9 pm
Experience the magic as The Del’s historic pine trees are draped in a spectacular light show with a whimsical Oz-inspired soundtrack and snow flurries. The show takes place every 30 minutes.
Nighttime Christmas fireworks show at Hotel del Coronado as seen from across Glorietta Bay. Courtesy photo
FIREWORKS SHOW
Del Beach | 6:45 pm
Look to the skies over Del Beach for a dazzling fireworks display to celebrate the season.
Holiday Festival event times and details are weather permitting and may be subject to change.

Timeless flute journey concert
2025-12-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Experience a journey of solo flute pieces spanning different cultures and times with musician Pam Vliek Martchev. She will be featuring the flute, alto flute, and piccolo, as well as composers like Marin-Marais, Bozza, Karg-Elert, and more.

Pam Vliek Martchev served as principal flute with the Boulder Philharmonic in Colorado for 10 seasons, and has been a guest principal flutist of the San Diego Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Reno Chamber Orchestra, California Chamber Orchestra, and Long Beach Opera.
She has been featured on many chamber music series such as La Jolla Summerfest, Art of Elan, Jacaranda, Chamber Music Unbound in Mammoth, Blanco Performing Arts in Texas, the Tannahill Arts Festival in Scotland, Le Salon de Musique, Bruman at UCLA, Dilijan, and LACMA Sundays Live. She is currently a member of the woodwind quintet Presidio Winds. You may have heard her on movie soundtracks, CD recordings, television specials, and in the San Diego pit for broadway shows such as King and I, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and My Fair Lady.
A native of Long Island, NY, she began attending the Manhattan School of Music pre-college program at age 12, and continued another four years for her Bachelor of Music – her primary teachers were Harold Jones and Linda Chesis. During her student years, she won prizes in many competitions, was a soloist with the Long Island and Massapequa Philharmonic, and was featured on WQXR’s Young Artist Showcase.
She has been a guest teacher at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC); University of Oregon, Eugene; University of Nevada, Reno; and Manhattan School of Music. Her students have auditioned successfully for conservatory degrees across the country, top prizes in national competitions including the NFA High School Soloist, the National Youth Orchestra, and CA All-Southern and All-State ensembles. She is a Haynes Artist, and is the flute professor at San Diego State University, Pt. Loma Nazarene University, the University of San Diego, and San Diego Summer Music Institute (SDSMI)

Holiday parade and tree lighting
2025-12-05 18:00
Get ready for Coronado’s 50th Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting happening Friday, December 5 at 6 pm from 8th & Orange to RH Dana & Adella. Celebrate the golden milestone with 50+ festive parade entries, our big tree wrapped in over two miles of lights, and a special visit from Santa himself.
After the lighting, stay for the Coronado Community Band’s holiday concert in Rotary Park, the perfect way to kick off the season.
This cherished tradition is proudly presented by the Coronado Chamber of Commerce, with generous sponsorship from the City of Coronado, EDCO, California American Water, and Discover Coronado.

Coronado Philharmonia Holidays in Coronado concert
2025-12-06 19:00 - 21:00 | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Celebrate the holiday season with the Coronado Philharmonia at their 5th annual Holidays in Coronado Concert, taking place on Saturday, December 6 at 7 pm at the Coronado Performing Arts Center. Featuring the incredible Christopher Hollyday Jazz Quartet, this will be an unforgettable evening of music and cheer.
GET TICKETS

CIFF Student Classic Film: "Scrooge"
2025-12-07 13:00 - 15:45 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7 at 1 pm, in the Library’s Winn Room, the Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) Student Classic Film Series presents a special Advent movie event for the entire family, screening Scrooge, the acclaimed 1951 British Renown Studios movie adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The screening will be followed by the first public announcement of the 2026 Student Classic Film Series “The Art of Adaptation” schedule of classic films. This Scrooge screening is a FREE event and open to the public of all ages.
Attendees are asked to please bring an unwrapped toy to the screening as part of Downtown Lions Club toy giveaway to underserved children.
Charles Dickens’ Christmas novella is, arguably, the single most adapted literary story in stage and cinematic history. A great many film critics insist that Brian Desmond Hurst’s 1951 film version has never been equaled. The screenplay by Hurst and Noel Langley (a The Wizard of Oz screenwriter) Hurst’s adroit direction, and C. M. Pennington-Richards’ haunting black and white cinematography, completely convince audiences of Scrooge’s spiritual transformation from bitter, friendless curmudgeon, into a man so overcome by gratitude and joy, simply to be alive on Christmas morning, that he finds himself gleefully shouting, “Merry Christmas!” to all within earshot; a man whose renovation of heart is so profound that many who knew, feared, or loathed him, suspect he has gone mad.
The lion’s share of credit for the film’s enduring power belongs to the extraordinary performance of Alastair Sim. Sim “inhabits” the title role, playing the miserly scenes with perfect notes of sarcastic humbug. Sim’s Scrooge is a man utterly alone and satisfied to be so; a man who has no use for other people. Sim never suggests Scrooge is an evil man, but, rather, a man whose spirit has been gravely, though not irreparably, warped by the vagaries of a difficult life. It is the subtlety and restraint Sim brings to the role that make Scrooge’s redemption in the final act believable, moving, and memorable. The final scenes of Scrooge radiating humility, warmth and delight reuniting with his family at his nephew’s Christmas party, and finally, walking the streets of London as Tiny Tim leaps into his arms are images to carry in your heart throughout the Christmas season. The entire community is invited to join us for the perfect “table setter” for Advent. As Tiny Tim reminded us, “God bless us, everyone!”
The screening will be followed by the first public announcement of the 2026 “The Art of Adaptation” schedule, screening two Golden Age classics monthly from February through May 2026. The Student Classic Series is designed to expose High School and Middle School Students to the greatest motion pictures made by the masters of the craft during The Golden Age of Hollywood (mid-30s to early 1960s). It provides a unique opportunity for Coronado’s young people to learn about the history of Hollywood’s Studio Era and the cultural legacy it bequeathed to us all.

Coronado School of the Arts first annual Showcase Night
2025-12-09 18:00 | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
CoSA Dance Conservatory. Photo by Kel Casey, courtesy of CUSD.
Enjoy an evening of free performances, films, animations, behind the scenes documentaries of the Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) visual art studio, and technical theatre productions on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6 pm in the Coronado Performing Arts Center at 650 D Avenue.

Art lovers of all ages across San Diego are encouraged to attend this fun, family friendly, and free event. Information about 2026-2027 applications for prospective CoSA students will be available in the lobby as well as information for potential Board Members, Community Supporters and Patrons of the Arts.
Conservatory of Classical and Contemporary Dance senior, Eleanor McClelland shares that she “found a group of friends and immediately felt connected to the school.” Visual Arts junior, Wendy Alcaraz, who will be sharing one of her original fashion designs at the Showcase recalls, “All the artists learn from one another and in my first year, half of my time was invested in watching others create and learning from their strengths.” Guests will have an opportunity to meet student artists, CoSA Foundation Board Members and faculty of the Coronado School of the Arts.
See why CoSA is a Life Changer.
CoSA Visual Arts Conservatory.. Photo courtesy of CUSD.
About CoSA
Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) is San Diego County’s premier public school arts conservatory, home to 200 scholar artists grades 9 through 12, who attend the nationally ranked Coronado High School. CoSA provides an intense, pre-professional arts education to students from Coronado and from all over San Diego, who are admitted after a competitive application/audition process.
Each school day, CoSA offers approximately three hours of instruction, pairing young artists with educators who are also industry specialists. With a curriculum designed by professional artist/educators, students are immersed in their chosen specialty in one of six conservatories: Classical and Contemporary Dance, Digital Arts (Animation, Filmmaking and Graphic Design), Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre & Drama, Theatre Production, Design & Management and Visual Art. CoSA is a State of California-approved Career Technical Education program.

Threads of Resilience: Celebrating human resilience through dance
2025-12-12 19:00, 2025-12-13 19:00 | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Photo courtesy CUSD
The Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) Conservatory of Classical and Contemporary Dance invites audiences to Threads of Resilience, a powerful showcase of original dance works that explore personal transformation and strength. The concert takes the stage Dec. 12 and 13 at 7pm at the Coronado Performing Arts Center at 650 D Avenue. Tickets are available at www.cosafoundation.org/events.
“Adversity and resilience are innate to the human experience,” said Caryn Ipapo-Glass, COSA Dance Director. “In times of divisiveness and polarity it can be difficult to hold on to empathy, or to remember that we collectively have lived experiences that unify us. Our journeys may be vastly different, but joy, fear, love, and loss are universal; and the opportunity for personal growth is always present. Cathartic connection is one of the most powerful aspects of dance, and one of the things I love most about it. When artists are brave enough to share, and audiences are brave enough to be present and to feel, that is when powerful human connections are made.”
This remarkable concert features 10 original dance works, choreographed by both faculty and student artists, and will also include six innovative short dance films that push the boundaries of artistic expression; featuring “Resilience Poems” written by several of the COSA Dance students.
Each dance piece represents a deeply personal narrative, capturing moments of profound life experiences where individuals have confronted adversity and emerged transformed. The choreographers explore themes of resilience, personal growth, and the human spirit’s remarkable capacity to overcome challenges.

“This concert marks my first artistic endeavor with my COSA Dance students and colleagues. Transition in and of itself can be adverse. With it comes a great deal of uncertainty, vulnerability, and required trust. It has been an absolute honor to work within this collective of students and colleagues and I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity we were given to come together to thread and weave our lived experiences, and to witness the impact of our collective resilience,” said Ipapo-Glass.
For more information about this compelling evening of dance, visit CoSASanDiego.com.
About CoSA
Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) is San Diego County’s premier public school arts conservatory, home to 200 scholar artists grades 9 through 12, who attend the nationally ranked Coronado High School. CoSA provides an intense, pre-professional arts education to students from Coronado and from all over San Diego, who are admitted after a competitive application/audition process.
Each school day, CoSA offers approximately three hours of instruction, pairing young artists with educators who are also industry specialists. With a curriculum designed by professional artist/educators, students are immersed in their chosen specialty in one of six conservatories: Classical and Contemporary Dance, Digital Arts (Animation, Filmmaking and Graphic Design), Instrumental Music, Musical Theatre & Drama, Theatre Production, Design & Management and Visual Art. CoSA is a State of California-approved Career Technical Education program.

Musical storytime takeover with Nightingale Music
2025-12-16 11:00 - 11:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Enjoy a special storytime takeover by Nightingale Music. We’ll play with lollipop drums, rainbow scarves, tambourines, maracas and more. Marvin the Monkey will come by and teach us the major scale and we’ll learn to stomp and dance like the elephants in the jungle. We’ll pop bubbles to the beat and have a guitar time sing-a-long. Nightingale Music classes bring out your child’s natural ability for music and create a relaxed, playful environment for learning, so don’t miss the fun Tuesday, December 16 at 11 am.
Toddler storytime will resume as normal after this fun takeover.

Christmas Elf Adventures Holiday Workshop
2025-12-18 15:30 - 17:00 | Club Room, 1985 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Elf Adventures Holiday Workshop is here. Young elves ages 6-11 are invited to join in for a festive day filled with winter crafts, holiday baking, reindeer games, and loads of holiday fun. It’s happening Thursday, Dec. 18, from 3:30 to 5 pm in the Club Room in Glorietta Bay Park.
Dress in your favorite holiday attire and come ready for adventure. Sign up by calling 619-522-7342 or visiting coronado.ca.us/register. Let’s make this the jolliest holiday yet.
Direct Link: https://bit.ly/ChristmasElfAdventures

Noon Year
2025-12-31 11:00 - 12:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
It’s time to say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026, but midnight is way too late! Celebrate the new year with a 2026 headband, streamers, and a balloon drop at noon sharp.
