Thru Jan. 10: “Faces and Figures” Art Exhibition
Oil paintings and sculptures by world-renowned modern Mexican artist Vladimir Cora at La Esquina de Bodegas Gallery, Av. Miramar & Calle 6, Ensenada. Free admission. Info: Galería del Mar in Rosarito, tel. (661)613-0489; e-mail

Dec. 3: Club Compañeros de Baja Norte Meeting
10:30am: General meeting open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Luncheon to follow ($3.50dlls. donation). Meet new friends while assisting local charities. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

Dec. 6: Chocolate Fair & Christmas Bazaar
2-8pm: Shop for Christmas crafts and gifts while enjoying live music and sampling desserts, pastries, candies, beverages and other chocolate-based foods prepared by local restaurants in the Salón Rojo at the Riviera Cultural Center, Blvd. Costero, Ensenada. Tickets ($10dlls.) include samples. Proceeds benefit DIF. Info: Ensenada CANIRAC Chamber of Restaurants, tel. (646)174-0448; e-mail

Dec. 6 & 7: Christmas Boutique
10am-4pm: Artisans offer beautiful handmade items and gifts at Estero Beach Resort, 6 miles south of Ensenada. Proceeds benefit the Cruz Roja, Ensenada chapter. Free admission and parking. (Booth rentals available.) Info: Joan Martino, tel. (646)177-5436; e-mail

Dec. 7: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019. 

Dec. 11: Christmas Concert
8pm: Enjoy a festive evening of classical and Christmas music with the Pro-Musica Choir, the OBC Conservatory Choir and Orquesta de Baja California with soprano Florencia Tinoco in the Salón Catedral at the Riviera Cultural Center, Blvd. Costero, Ensenada. The program includes Spanish and original Christmas carols and selections from Handel's "The Messiah." Tickets ($15dlls.) sell out fast, so buy early! Info: Pro-Musica Ensenada, A.C., tel. (646)178-7024; e-mail

Dec. 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe Day
This religious holiday commemorates the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego on the hill of El Tepeyac near Mexico City in 1531. Processions and special Masses take place throughout Mexico.

Dec. 12-14: Race Ready Ensenada-San Felipe 250 Off-Road Race
Join the excitement as more than 150 cars, trucks, ATVs and motorcycles compete on a challenging off-road course from Ensenada to the port of San Felipe. Info: San Vicente Off Road/Ramon Castro, tel. (646)176-1637 or 177-0034.

Dec. 13: Christmas Parade of Lights
8pm: The colorful parade of boats in Ensenada's Todos Santos Bay is best viewed from Ventana al Mar Park. Info: Club Nautico Baja, tel. (646)175-7044; e-mail

Dec. 14: Club Compañeros de Baja Norte Brunch
9am-noon: Sunday brunch ($3.75dlls. donation) open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Eat great food, meet new friends and assist charities through this local service club. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

Dec. 14: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019.

Dec. 14: Holiday Show 2003
2pm: A fun, family-oriented variety show featuring local talent directed by Joanne McGrath at Gertrude Pearlman Theatre at Campo La Jolla in Punta Banda, 16 miles south of Ensenada. Free admission. Info: Irka Davis, tel. (646)154-2235; e-mail

Dec. 17: Club Companeros de Baja Norte Meeting & Christmas Dinner
10:30am: General meeting open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Christmas Dinner to follow (free for members; $5dlls. donation for guests). Meet new friends while assisting local charities. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

Dec. 19: Traditional Mexican Posada
4-8pm: A Mexican Christmas celebration for the entire family at Centro Artesanal, Blvd. Costero & Av. Castillo. Live music by Grupo Gitanos, a piano recital and children's choir, seasonal foods and drinks (buñuelos, tamales, champurrado, menudo, etc.), arts and crafts fair, a posada candlelight procession at 7pm, and a piñata breaking party to follow. Free admission. Info: Adalberto Perez Meillon, tel. (646)175-7848; e-mail

Dec. 21: Club Compañeros de Baja Norte Brunch
9am-noon: Sunday brunch ($3.75dlls. donation) open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Eat great food, meet new friends and assist charities through this local service club. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

Dec. 21: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019. 

Dec. 25: Christmas Day

Dec. 26 thru March: Guided Whale Watching Tours
View the magnificent California gray whales in Ensenada's Todos Santos Bay as they migrate from the cold northern waters of the Arctic toward their warm breeding grounds along the central Pacific coast of the Baja California Peninsula. Contact local sportfishing fleets or the Ensenada State Tourism Office at (646)172-3022; e-mail Sergio's Sportfishing Center offers guided 4-hour tours on Sat. & Sun. at 10am & 1:30pm, weekdays at 11am. Cost is $23dlls./adult and $19dlls./children under 12. Special rates for groups of 30 or more. Info: Sergio's Sportfishing Center, tel/fax (646)178-2185; e-mail  In U.S. call Baja California Tours at 1-800-336-5454.

Dec. 27: Club Companeros de Baja Norte New Year's Eve Eve Party
1pm-???: Featuring live dance music by Ensenada's Brent BeSaw, this "pre" New Year's Eve Party is open to the public at the clubhouse on Calle Mazatlan #256 in Fracc. Acapulco, one mile south of Ensenada. Admission is an appetizer and $3dlls. donation per person. Advance tickets necessary. Info: Pauleen Blake, tel. (646)177-5116; e-mail

Dec. 28: Model Airplane Club
10am-1pm: Model airplane enthusiasts can fly their planes at the Ensenada Model Airplane Club paved mini-pista off Hwy. 1 just south of Estero Beach. Click for map. Info: Oscar Fernandez, tel. (646)177-4019. 

Dec. 31: New Year's Eve