San Diego CA— Little Italy has outdone themselves this year to help us keep the spirit of the holidays alive. While we might be celebrating the holidays a little differently this year, there is definitely not a shortage of ways to get in the festive spirit. From letters to Santa and a mischievous elf, Guiseppe, to a Hallmark-style broadcast and virtual cocktail tutorials by Little Italy mixologists, the Little Italy Association is keeping the holidays merry and bright.

• Little Italy Holiday Special – The Little Italy Holiday Special will stream across various platforms on December 5th starting at 5:30pm. The Special will include an incredible performance by the Our Lady of the Rosary Choir in the historically renovated Church, a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas from Santa and Mrs. Claus and heartfelt messages from local residents and business owners. The Special will conclude with the highly anticipated 22nd annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony led by the Little Italy Leadership with an Italian countdown by Father Joe Tabigue of Our Lady of the Rosary Church.
• Wednesday Holiday Market – The Little Italy Wednesday Holiday Market is back on Wednesdays in the Piazza della Famiglia. Shop from a variety of farmers, artisan food producers and local crafters for that perfect holiday gift. The market will be operating under the same safe COVID-19 guidelines as the Little Italy Mercato including a limit on the number of shoppers on the Piazza at any one time, one entry and one exit will be provided. The market is available every Wednesday in December from 10am-2pm, except for December 30th.
• 10th Annual Little Italy Toy Drive – Give the gift of a toy this holiday season during the 10th Annual Little Italy Toy Drive. Over the past decade, the Little Italy Association has hosted the Little Italy Toy Drive to benefit the foster children of New Alternatives, Inc. Local restaurants and retailers will host drop-off boxes where San Diegans and guests can drop-off a new unwrapped toy. In light of COVID-19, New Alternatives is also accepting monetary donations to support the Little Italy Toy Drive.

• JOY! Little Italy Mixologists’ Holiday Cocktail & Mocktail Virtual Tutorials – Every Thursday, virtual tutorials by Little Italy mixologists from Civico 1845, Cloak & Petal, Juniper & Ivy and Little Italy Food Hall, will be taking place via Instagram and Facebook. Recipes will be released the Tuesday before each class.
• Giuseppe the Elf’s Little Italy Adventure – Follow along on Instagram and Facebook as Giuseppe the Elf explores Little Italy and gets into some holiday mischief.
• Letters to Santa – Families can email their letters to Santa or stop by The Big Red Mailbox in Piazza della Famiglia to drop off them off in person. Letters being dropped off in-person will have to be postmarked by December 14th to receive a response from Santa! To be extra safe, Santa has also gone digital! Families will be able to email their letters to Santa directly at [email protected].