You can march on in to the holiday season Saturday at one of several parades around San Diego County.
The 52nd annual North Park Toyland Parade and Festival will step off at 11 a.m. at University Avenue and Utah Street. Marching bands, dance groups, vintage cars and Santa Claus will work their way east on University Avenue and then south on Herman Aveue, before returning west along North Park Way. A festival is scheduled to follow.
The other parades are set for the evening, with the Starlight Parade along Third Avenue in Chula Vista, the Encinitas Holiday Parade on South Coast Highway and the 36th annual Ocean Beach Holiday Parade on Newport Avenue.
The Starlight Parade will serve as the finale to a festival that begins at noon at Memorial Park. The event includes a snow hill and other activities. The Grinch, Whoville Whos and other characters will be on hand.
A "Winter Wonderland" festival is set for 3 p.m. at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. The event will include real snow, Santa Claus and reindeer, cookie decorating and the lighting of a holiday tree.
The second day of the city of San Diego's annual December Nights festival in Balboa Park will get underway at noon. Participating museums will open their doors for free from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
