It’s December 23rd – aka Christmas Eve’s slightly feral little sibling. The weather’s wet, the year’s cooked, and you’re probably pretending to work. Let’s ride this one out in style.

We’re giving away a balcony cabin for two aboard Boots on the Water Cruise! That’s five nights of country stars, themed nights, and concerts at sea. Clint Black, Rodney Atkins, and $600 travel money to boot. Enter now, manifest later.*

JUST ANNOUNCED

• Fngrs Crssd and Proper just dropped a New Year’s double-header: Tinzo + Jojo on 12/31, and Chris Lorenzo + Fallon on 1/1, all at Music Box. These are the afters you actually want to be at – first afters of 2026, so make it count.

• Frank Mercurio’s Celebration of Life arrives 1/31 at Brick By Brick, anchored by Thought Experiment and a stack of special guests. A heartfelt night of music and memory – all to honor a local legend in the scene.

• Get your cardio in: August Burns Red and The Amity Affliction are coming to SOMA on 4/25. Bring a friend to scream with and someone else to hold your jacket. We’re going in.

• Plus other just announced shows from AZ, Cody Jinks, Bruce Cockburn, Marshall Crenshaw, James Mastro, Liz Cooper, and more!

GUIDE TO GOOD SOUP AROUND SAN DIEGO

It’s cold. It’s wet. It’s soup season, baby. We've rounded up the best broths in town for when you need a steamy bowl to ward off the frost. Here’s your official comfort map.

IN THE FUTURE

LOCALS ONLY

• Need sandbags? Chula Vista’s got you. Today only (12/23), grab up to 10 free bags from 7am–3:30pm at the Public Works Facility, 1800 Maxwell Rd. Proof of residency required. Stay dry out there.

• Catalina Island is getting the internet it deserves. A $37 million infrastructure project will bring high-speed fiber directly to Avalon and beyond. Which means real broadband for the first time ever.

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