Christmas On The Prado

First my rant. For many years this event was called "Christmas on the Prado", but now to mollify all the PC people, this event is called "December Nights". But to me it will always be "Christmas on the Prado"!!!  There, rant over.

The following event description is shamelessly lifted from the event web site:

Balboa Park December Nights presented by Barona, San Diego's favorite kick-off to the holiday season, will take place for the 29th consecutive year on:

The beloved San Diego event features sparkling lights, color and music with traditional celebrations and holiday-themed entertainment areas. In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5:00 to 9:00pm both nights. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights attracted more than 250,000 visitors in 2005.

Balboa Park December Nights 2006 presented by Barona is hosted in partnership by the City of San Diego, the Office of Special Events and other City departments provide festival management expertise; the San Diego Business Improvement District (BID) Council, a non-profit association of the seventeen BIDs throughout San Diego, whose members promote and revitalize their historic retail districts, as well as manage civic special events for more than one million guests annually; and the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, a coalition of the non-profit cultural institutions in the Park serving more than 6 million visitors annually. Barona is the 2006 Presenting Sponsor, having stepped forward again this year to provide major support for the beloved holiday celebration. The City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department manages and maintains the spectacular landscaping, grounds and structures of Balboa Park and provides generous in-kind services for December Nights.

Ok, now my take. Living in San Diego, this is one of my favorite events. It draws a nice crowd, the weather is usually nice and crisp, and there is lots of food. In a part of Balboa Park is a group of little cottages called the houses of hospitality. Many different countries are respresented within these cottages. During this event, each "House" sells examples of food native to their country. It is fun to go from house to house trying all the different cousines that are avaiable. Also in the grassy area that is in the middle of the houses, a stage is set up, and the houses provide entertainment that is also representative of their home lands.  From music to dancing. It is all pretty cool to watch.  On these nights, all the museums in Balboa Park throw open their doors for free admission. It is a chance to go thru and see who is offering what. My favorite is the Model Train Museum and the AreoSpace Museum. And for me, to top off the evening, a cup of sliced apples covered with warm, melted caramel and whipped cream.....ummmm yumm.

Here is a listing of all the different types of food that is available at this event.

Barona - Indian tacos
Beer and Wine tasting - Karl Strauss Brewing Company and PRP Wine International (with wines from around the world) $10 for 5 tastes

$10 for 10 tickets/$20 for 20 tickets
Aladdin Hillcrest - Boraks, Hummus & Pita, chicken shawarma & rice
Baja Betty's - Carnitas Tacos
Chi Chocolat Café - Truffles, chocolates
El Indio - Nachos, burritos, salsa
Hard Rock Café - Apple cobbler
Heaven's Sent Desserts - dessert samples
House of Blues - Shrimp creole, jambalaya
L & L Hawaiian Barbecue - chicken katsu, Kalbi short ribs, bbq chicken
Limon'z Rostizados - grilled chicken
Lotus Thai - Satay chicken, curry chicken, rice
Marble Slab Creamery - ice cream with mix-ins
Pampas Grill - mini empanadas, choripam
Pick Up Stix Pacific Beach - House special chicken in white wine sauce over rice
Taza Blanca - Fried yucca, chicken, plantains (tostones), calamari, empanadas
Urban Moes - Mo's Garlic Kettle Chips
More restaurants on the way! Check back

Argentina: Choripan sausage, empanadas
Austria: Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, potato salad and Apfelstrudel
China: Beef sticks, rice, Pearl Tea, eggrolls
Colombia: Carne asada, empanadas, patacones cabe, tamales
Czech-Slovak Republics: Stuffed cabbage rolls, sauerkraut, cabbage rolls
Denmark: Meatballs, cucumber salad, red cabbage, potato salad
England: Sausage rolls, baked goods
Finland: Finnish meatballs w/gravy, Rossolli (Scandinavian Christmas salad), carrot-rice casserole
France: French pastries, rice salad
Germany: Bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato salad, strudel, Black Forest cake
Hungary: BBQ Sausage, potatoes, crepes, pastries
India: Chicken tikka masala (chicken in curry sauce), saag paneer (spinach with cheese curry), pilau (flavored rice), naan (Indian bread), samosa (spiced vegetable fritter), pakorsa (batter fried vegetables)
Iran: Chicken kabobs, aash (noodle soup), rice, salad
Ireland: Irish stew, toasties, barley soup, baked goods
Israel: Hot dogs, potato salad, potato pancakes
Italy: Pasta, meatballs, sausage, cake, cappucino
Lithuania: Beet Soup
Mexico: Carne asada, beans, rice, tortillas, salsa fresca
Norway: Viking Soup, Norwegian waffles, Potetolefse with butter, sugar & cinnamon
Palestine: Falafel, chicken, hummus, moujadara, salad
Panama: Fried plantains & tortillas, hot links, tamales, Jamaica beverage
Peru: Chicken & rice, cookies, Inca cola
Philippine Islands: Lumpia (eggrolls), pansit (noodles), chicken adobo
Poland: Sausage sandwiches, pierogi, golabki (stuffed cabbage rolls), cookies
Puerto Rico: Pastellitos (meat turnovers), Arroz con habichuelas (rice with pinto beans), plantain turnovers
Queens of the House of Pacific Relations: Potato soup, chili, pastried
Scotland: Meat pies, mashed potatoes, salads, desserts
Spain: Paella
Sweden: Swedish meatballs, Limpa bread, almond coffee bread, pastries
Turkey: Stuffed Turkish pastry, gyro, baklava, salad, Turkish coffee
Ukraine: Sausage, sauerkraut, perogies, sautéed onions, borscht
United States: Hot dogs, baked beans, pies

Art Institute: Traditional roasted chestnuts
Centro Cultural de la Raza: Tamales, pan dulce, hot chocolate
Civic Dance Association: Pasta with tomato-basil sauce, garlic pesto bread, cookies and sweets
Community Christmas Committee: Cookies, cider, hot chocolate, coffee
Dahlia Society: Cinnamon rolls, apple fritters, donuts, chocolate
Floral Association: Gingerbread cookies
Hall of Champions (Madres): Cookies, cakes, candy, hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee
Japanese Friendship Garden: Teriyaki bowl, yakisoba, green tea, apple cider
Junior Theatre: Bratwurst, hot dogs, chili, apple cider
Museum of Man: Meatballs, pea soup, rosette pastries, sandwiches, hot chocolate, glögg
The Old Globe: Popcorn
San Diego Chorus - Sweet Adelines: Hot dogs, nachos, baked potatoes, chili
San Diego Natural History Museum: No-host wine bar on the rooftop-$5 includes hors d'oeuvres (21 and up)
Spanish Village Art Center: Kettle corn, hot cocoa, cider
Turtle & Tortoise Society: Cookies, hot chocolate, apple cider