San Diego-area casinos are a popular destination during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Although many local casinos now reserve their New Year’s Eve parties for their high-roller club members, there are plenty of things to do in December for the general public. Also, casinos, and their restaurants, are open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Here’s a roundup of some of the events coming up this month at local casinos and beyond.
The dining room of Hell’s Kitchen restaurant at the Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center.
(Pam Kragen/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Harrah’s Resort Southern California
777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center. (760) 751-3100, harrahssocal.com
Holiday dining: Hell’s Kitchen, the fine-dining restaurant operated by Michelin-starred superstar chef Gordon Ramsay, will be open for dinner reservations beginning at 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Advance reservations are required and must be secured with a credit card.
A past New Year’s Eve concert at Jamul Casino.
(Courtesy of Jamul Casino)
Jamul Casino
14145 Campo Road, Jamul. jamulcasinosd.com
Christmas Eve dining: From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 24, Jamul Casino’s Prime Cut will host a lobster brunch with endless lobster tails, three carving stations, California sushi rolls and much more for 59.95. Reservations are recommended. And in the Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub, an Endless Surf and Turf meal will be offered from 4 to 10 p.m. Dec. 24 featuring fried lobster, crab legs, fried shrimp, rib eye, New York and flank steaks and carved salmon, among other dishes. $59.95.
Costumed performers at a past New Year’s Eve concert at Jamul Casino.
(Courtesy of Jamul Casino)
New Year’s Eve festivities:
“World’s Biggest Lobster Fry: Winterland Edition”: Visit a promotional kiosk at the casino for an entry ticket to this unlimited free lobster dining event. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 31.
Noon Year’s Eve: At noon Dec. 31, all guests actively playing slots and table games will get $20 in free play.
“An Evening at the Moulin Rouge”: This rooftop party will feature both a sumptuous dinner and a cabaret show with singers and can-can dancers inspired by the Moulin Rouge nightclub in 19th century Paris. 7 to 11 p.m. Dec. 31. $75.
Best of Jamul Buffet & 80z All-Stars: Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub will transform for the evening with a late-evening buffet featuring a selection of the best and chef’s favorite dishes, plus live entertainment by the retro tribute band 80z All-Stars. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31.
Pala Casino Spa Resort
11154 Highway 76, Pala. palacasino.com/bars-restaurants
Holiday dining: Black & Blue Steakhouse and Lounge will be open for dining on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Reservations haven’t opened yet for Jan. 1. No holiday menus have been announced but Black & Blue does offer a $69 three-course prix-fixe menu.
Pechanga Resort Casino has decorated for the holidays, including a 30-foot Christmas tree by its north entrance.
(Courtesy of Pechanga Resort Casino)
Pechanga Resort Casino
45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. (877) 711-2946. pechanga.com
Giant gingerbread village: Pechanga’s executive pastry chef Deden Putra has created a gingerbread village that’s now on display in the resort’s lobby. The village has 11 gingerbread houses of varying styles, 30 trees (one of them five feet tall) made of solid dark and white chocolate, sugar creations and more.
Holiday décor throughout the resort: Besides the gingerbread village, the resort has been decorated with 48 lit trees, including a 30-foot one at the resort’s north entrance. Also featured throughout the resort are life-size deer sculptures, giant wrapped gift displays, artificial snowflakes and thousands of poinsettias.
Visits with Santa: Santa Claus will set up a North Pole pop-up to meet with children and take holiday photos from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 17 and from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19 on the second floor foyer of the resort tower. Photos with Santa are $10.
Pechanga Resort Casino is offering a take-home prime rib dinner for those who want to enjoy their Christmas day dinner at home.
(Courtesy of Pechanga Resort Casino)
Christmas Day dining: Five of the resort’s restaurants will serve holiday menus on Christmas Day, including the Great Oak Steakhouse and Paisano’s Italian Restaurant. There’s also a “holiday to go” full meal that can be ordered in advance and picked up for take-home dining. The meal, priced at $280 and designed to serve six people, includes a prime rib, butternut squash, winter chopped salad, potato puree, roasted baby carrots, creamed spinach, mushroom gravy, dinner rolls and a whole apple pie. The final day to order is Dec. 18 at pechanga.com/christmas-to-go.
San Diego-bound Chris Isaak is shown performing at the Americana Honors & Awards show Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022, in Nashville.
(Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)
“Chris Isaak: It’s Almost Christmas”: This singer-songwriter has two Christmas albums, “Everybody Knows It’s Christmas,” released last year, and “Christmas,” both of which will be featured during his holiday performance. In addition to original holiday songs, fans can expect renditions of Christmas classics. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. Tickets are $79-$99.
NYE Masquerade Ball: Wear your finest costume and mask for this New Year’s Eve party in the resort’s Grand Ballroom. DJ Michaelangell will be mixing electronic dance music and popular music enhanced by a light-show production. Regular tickets are sold out but VIP packages that include an exclusive table, bottle service and take-home gift can still be ordered. 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31. (951) 770-2507.
NYE ‘80s Neon Party: Eager to get your ‘80s vibe on? Dress in neon outfits and big hair to dance the night away to iconic ‘80s tunes in the Eagle’s Nest nightclub. VIP packages are available for tables and bottle service. 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31. $75. pechanga.com/entertain/nye
Countdown balloon drop: Pechanga’s Round Bar will host this annual standing-room-only party with live DJ and midnight balloon drop. Entry to the bar is free, but cocktails at the bar are not. Exclusive entry tickets to the VIP viewing section on the bar’s mezzanine level will be available for purchase starting at 10 p.m. that night. 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31.
Dine to live music: Two of Pechanga’s restaurants, Great Oak Steakhouse and 1882 Cantina, will be offering live music for diners from 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Dec. 31. Reservations for tables are now open at pechanga.com/eat.
Sycuan Casino Resort
5469 Casino Way, El Cajon. sycuan.com
Winner Wonderland: On Tuesdays in December, drawings will be held at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. for five winners each hour in Slot FreePlay.
Santa’s Sleigh car giveaway: On Christmas Day, a car will be given away. Gamers can earn vouchers through Dec. 23.
New Year’s Eve bingo event: More than $170,000 will be available for bingo fans, with a $75,000 blackout game. Pre-sales are available now for seats.
Bingo After Dark end-of-the-year bash: At 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31, a play session will feature $10,000 in cash prizes. Party tables are available by reservation now.
Holiday decorations up this month at Valley View Casino & Hotel in Valley Center.
(Courtesy of Valley View Casino & Hotel)
Valley View Casino & Hotel
16300 Nyemii Pass Road, Valley Center. valleyviewcasino.com
Holiday dining at The Café: This casual breakfast and lunch cafe will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, including Christmas Day and New Year’s for dishes such as steak and eggs, Belgian waffles and chicken pad Thai, Kung pao shrimp and New England clam chowder. No reservations are required.
Holiday dining at Patties & Pints: On Christmas Day, this restaurant will serve a $39 three-course dinner with winter green salad featuring brie cheese and kumquats with Meyer lemon vinaigrette; New York steak with roasted vegetables, fondant potatoes and gravy; and yule log dessert. No reservations are required. Hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 3 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Holiday decorations: In partnership with Unicorn Jewelry & Watch Boutique, the casino has been transformed this holiday season with Christmas trees and décor.
New Year’s Eve celebration: Valley View will ring in the new year with all day and all night slots and table games, plus free live entertainment from 5 to 11 p.m. Dec. 31.
Viejas Casino & Resort
5000 Willows Road, Alpine. viejas.com
Holiday dining: The Grove Steakhouse will offer dining by reservations beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Viejas has not announced any special holiday menu plans yet. Its regular menu is a la carte and a $70 prix-fixe three-course menu is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Fire & Ice 2024: Viejas is hosting a spectacular New Year’s Eve party at its outdoor events venue, The Park. It will feature live entertainment by the Cassie B Project, Dream World Cirque and DJ Autumn Leilani. Also featured will be cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, party favors, photo ops, fireworks, and a midnight ball drop. Tickets start at $25. viejas.com/entertainment-2/
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
84-245 Indio Springs Parkway Indio. fantasyspringsresort.com
“Gladys Knight: A Holiday Celebration”: The Grammy Award-winning soul singer will bring hits such as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “If I Were Your Woman” along with a twist on holiday favorites. 8 p.m. Saturday . Tickets start at $59.
Spotlight 29 Casino
46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com
“A Rat Pack Christmas”: Journey back through time with the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford performed by impersonators reimagining classic Christmas tunes of the ’50s and ’60s. 8 p.m. Thursday . Free admission.