Christmas snow from Escondido to Chula Vista

This year, I plan to add some snow fun into the holiday season. But waiting for snow to dump on a nearby mountain on a day that the family can get up there can get discouraging. So I made a list of manmade snow-play options around the county for the season.

Chula Vista Starlight Parade will process down Third Avenue on Saturday, December 3, at 6 p.m. Earlier in the day, from noon to 5 p.m., “Frosty’s Snow Hill” will be available for some free snowy fun.

Up at the San Diego Botanic Gardens in Encinitas, there will be the “Garden of Lights,” running from December 3 through 23, and again from December 26 through 30. On select days, there will be snow for sledding. Also to help get into the holiday spirit, carolers, mulled wine, marshmallow roasting, horse-drawn wagon rides. Sunday through Thursday, admission is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers, and children age 3 through 12 are $5.

California Center for the Arts in Escondido will host a “Winter Wonderland Festival” on December 3 from 3 to 8 p.m. Snow, live reindeers, carolers, food and drink, and the big red-suited man himself will make an appearance.

Welk Resorts’ “Winter Wonderland” is on Sunday, December 18, from noon until 8 p.m. An eight-foot slope of snow to play on, crafting with elves, photos in a life-sized snow globe, s’mores, and the Polar Express Trolley to meet Santa are some of the activities planned for the event. Tickets run from $7 to $25; free for ages 2 and under.

“Legoland Holiday Snow Days” runs through January 1 at the amusement park and is included in the price of admission. Heartland City will have snow falling, and there will be opportunities for snow play for the little visitors. Also on display, Lego brick Santa and reindeer will be perfect for some holiday photography.

Poway Community Park’s Winter Festival will happen over two days: Friday, January 13, from 5 to 9 p.m., and Saturday, January 14, from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sledding, snowman creations, campfires for roasting, and a skate rink will all be available at the free event, the perfect ending to the holiday season.