Balboa Park December Nights presented by Barona; Celebrating 29 Years of Holiday Magic.

SAN DIEGO -- 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 Friday, December 1, 5:00-10:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 2, noon-10:00 p.m. In the spirit of the holidays, participating Balboa Park museums open their doors free of charge from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. both evenings. The beloved San Diego event features sparkling lights, theatrical and musical entertainment, and food, food and more food throughout the Park. "My Ancestor's Village," sponsored by Barona, shares the rich culture of San Diego's Native American community with December Nights visitors. The largest free community festival in San Diego, December Nights is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors.

Entertainment, wonderful food and holiday cheer are all part of this classic San Diego celebration--including food from around the globe at the International Christmas Festival at the House of Pacific Relations Cottages; unique gift shopping at the museum stores and with the artisans of Spanish Village; international choirs, musical and dance presentations from the San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and others.

December Nights also features culinary adventures from some of San Diego's finest restaurants at the Plaza de Panama Holiday Taste of San Diego; the Cascades Holiday Marketplace brings crafts, foods and entertainment from around the world; and the Palisades Midway harkens back to the 1915-16 Panama-California Exposition and the 1935-36 California-Pacific International Exposition--the celebrations to which Balboa Park owes its rich history--with carnival rides, and fun for children.

The Barona Band of Mission Indians will contribute a unique cultural element to the events with My Ancestor's Village, the re-creation of a traditional Native American village within the heart of Balboa Park. Produced by the Barona Cultural Center & Museum, this tribute to the local Tribes and the important role they have played in San Diego's history will bring to life the food, culture, and lifestyle that is unique to Barona and the other Indians indigenous to the local region.

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 over 6 million visitors annually. Barona is the 2065 Presenting Sponsor, having stepped forward 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.

Founded in 1978, Balboa Park December Nights is the largest free community event in San Diego, attracting more than 250,000 visitors annually. The two-day festival, Balboa Park's holiday gift to San Diego, features free admission to museums and cultural attractions (from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. both evenings), international foods, multi-cultural music and dance performances, Christmas carolers, bell-ringers, choirs and bands, along with a variety of holiday-themed areas. Event hours are Friday from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 10:00 p.m.

Photos Available on www.balboapark.org