December Nights; Beer and Cupcakes

BALBOA PARK — This weekend is the 35th annual December Nights in the park, the free food, music and entertainment festival that runs Friday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. There's free museum admission and lots of food, including Burger Lounge and their mobile kitchen; grab a cup of grog from the spirits garden at the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. [EaterWire]

LA MESA— Saturday at the wine and beer bar Next Door, check out a cupcake and beer pairing courtesy of PubCakes and Societe Brewing Co. PubCakes is debuting a new treat called the Vegan Butcher (chocolate cake, salty chocolate buttercream and "bacon" bits), made with and served alongside Societe's Butcher Stout. Try it from 6 to 9 p.m. [EaterWire]