A Christmas-Centric Week Ahead in San Juan Capistrano

1. Um, you might want to finish that Christmas shopping: Tuesday is the last day for Christmas shopping, and many national chains plan to stay open late on Christmas Eve. Toys R Us stores will be open round-the-clock until 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and most Walmart stores will be open until 8 p.m.

2. Looking for a Christmas Eve service? Community Presbyterian Church has a 5:30 p.m. service especially for children and a candlelight service at 7:30 p.m. Mariners Church Ocean Hills has services at 4:15 and 6:15 p.m. Mission Parish has Mass at 7 a.m. at Serra Chapel, 4 p.m. at Basilica, 6 p.m. at Basilica, Mass in Spanish at 8 p.m. at Basilica, a pre-Christmas concert at 10 p.m. at Basilica, a Christmas Mass at 10:30 p.m. at Basilica and a midnight Latin Mass at Serra Chapel.

3. A different kind of Christmas Eve: Every fourth Tuesday, San Clemente Pres feeds the homeless in Capo Beach. Christmas Eve is no different.  They also have services at 4, 5:30, 9:30 and 11 p.m.
4. Merry Christmas! That is all.

5. Be alert: If you’re planning to be on the freeways during the holiday, be careful. The CHP plans maximum enforcement from 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve to midnight on Christmas Day. Officers will be on heightened alert for drivers who speed, fail to buckle-up, or are driving under the influence.

6. Kwanzaa anyone? Thursday is the first day of the week-long Kwanzaa celebration, which honors African heritage in African-American culture. It was established in 1966 by activist and scholar Maulana Karenga, who is currently chair of the Africana Studies department at Cal State University Long Beach.

For other happenings, check our events calendar.

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