Pasadena Weekend Events December 6th-8th:
La Canada, La Crescenta & Montrose
46th annual Montrose Christmas Parade The parade starts with a traditional ‘flyover’ helicopter and will feature several more entrants than last year for an even bigger and better experience. Consider supporting local restaurants before the parade, carpooling, or using a ride-sharing service due to limited parking. The parade route travels eastbound on Honolulu, starting at Rosemont and ending at Verdugo. Chairs and blankets may not be put out until the parade day. Area streets will close at 3:00 PM. There will be limited public restrooms and port-a-potties. Please note that drones, pop-ups, and costumes are not allowed, and disruptive behavior may result in being asked to leave. The parade will be televised and recorded.
At Descanso Gardens, Enchanted through January 5th. The exhibit of Days of Reverie daily, through January 26, 10 am–4 pm. Entry to the Gallery is included in the price of admission or membership. Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge
Pasadena, San Gabriel & Arcadia
Join Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo for the Mayor’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5-7 p.m., this Friday at City Hall, 100 N. Garfield Ave.
The 57th Annual Holiday Look-In Home Tour is presented by the Women’s Committee of the Pasadena Symphony. The annual event showcases beautiful gardens and magnificent architecture of four elegant homes located in Pasadena, California. Embellished with the talents of the finest floral designers, these homes are a spectacular holiday delight.
Santa Comes to Vromans -Come get your photo taken with Santa and let him know what you want for Christmas this year! Photos are FREE courtesy of Vroman’s Bookstore. And while you’re here, don’t forget to finish up your holiday shopping!Vroman’s Bookstore 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
This weekend Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition. Perfect for celebrating the season with family and friends. Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this production stays true to the traditions of the storybook tale. The story is set in 1912 Los Angeles with hints and tastes of Southern California – a Spanish style home, calla lilies, bougainvillea, the snowy forests of the Sierras, the archways of Venice Beach, and a moonlit view of the Pacific Ocean. Pasadena Civic Auditorium 300 E. Green St.,Pasadena
At Norton Simon, enjoy free admission for all visitors on the first Friday of the month from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Bring your friends or family and enjoy free entrance to the galleries and garden. No reservations or advance tickets are necessary. 411 West Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
A Noise Within is presenting A Christmas Carol through December 24th. The region’s longest-running annual holiday tradition returns! Perfect for all ages, this timeless story of redemption is filled to the brim with music and merriment. Create cherished memories by witnessing Ebenezer Scrooge’s joyful transformation. It is a perfect burst of boundless good cheer for the season—and beyond! 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena
Kidspace Children’s Museum will become a land of wonder and delight at its annual Winter Frolic. Make warm and fuzzy family memories this holiday season! It’s all the fantasy fun of “snow play” in warm and sunny Southern California—no mittens required. Through January 5th. Kidspace Children’s Museum480 N. Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena
Crossing Over exhibit unfolds at Caltech in three independent but interconnected galleries—The Infinite Lawn, Time Stream, and Powers of Ten—taking viewers from the “universe without” (suns, moons, planets, galaxies) to the “universe within” (cells, genes, molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles), and back, concluding with a unique installation by acclaimed Light and Space artist Helen Pashgian. Through December 15, 2024. 1200 E California Blvd., Pasadena
Old Pasadena Food Tasting Walking Tour every Saturday and Sunday. Presented by Melting Pot Food Tours, the Old Pasadena Food Tasting Walking Tour takes you through colorful alleys and secret thru-ways as you seek out spectacular multicultural eateries and sweet-stuff havens. Enjoy all the stories behind the foods when you explore this historic district, once just a sunny haven of bountiful orange groves. You’ll also be met and hosted whenever possible by particular merchants who proudly share their incredible offerings. Raymond Avenue & Holly Street Meeting Spot
Huntington Gardens is fabulous to visit for the grounds and exhibits. Through March 3, 2025, “Raqib Shaw: Ballads of East and West” is an invitation to see the world as Raqib Shaw sees it. The London-based artist, known for his opulent and fantastical works, blends Eastern and Western influences to create mesmerizing paintings that merge fable, history, and autobiography. 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
Glendale and Burbank
Downtown Burbank Winter Arts Festival Enjoy a weekend of art and festivities as the Downtown Burbank Arts Festival returns December 7 & 8, 2024 from 11am-5pm. This free event in the heart of Downtown Burbank will feature more than 180 handmade artisan booths on San Fernando Boulevard. Shoppers can expect to find trendsetting indie goods including original fashion and jewelry design, paper goods, innovative home décor and housewares, art, photography, food, plus much more.
Downtown Burbank Cultural Market – This unique outdoor market takes place every Friday and Saturday from 5:00-9:30 pm and Sunday from 3:00-8:00 pm at the corner of Palm Avenue and San Fernando Blvd. on the AMC walkway in Downtown Burbank
Peanuts Holidays at Apple through January 9, 2025, from 2 pm-3 pm. Get into the holiday spirit with the Peanuts gang in complimentary sessions at Apple. Enjoy festive clips, share your favorite traditions, and draw your festive scene using Pages on iPad with Apple Pencil Pro. The Americana at Brand 889 Americana Way Glendale
Fridays from 4-10 pm, Bob’s Big Boy hosts Southern California’s best Classic Car Show. 4211 W. Riverside Dr Burbank
Los Angeles and Vicinity
LA’s Ultimate Holiday Ice Skating Experience. Experience the magic of the season at The Hill’s holiday ice skating rink located in the heart of Los Angeles through January 6th! This festive rink offers fun for skaters of all ages, making it the perfect holiday activity for the entire family. 555 Universal Hollywood Dr., Universal City
The hottest place to chill during the holidays, The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square is back for a season of outdoor ice skating in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Open daily now through January 12, 2025. In the heart of downtown LA at 532 South Olive St., Los Angeles
Ice skating sessions are 60 minutes long, and hours and times vary by day. General admission is $20; prices include skate rental.
Los Angeles Christmas Market ROW DTLA hosts a European-inspired Christmas Market featuring holiday decor, baked treats, festive activities, and seasonal music. Free to attend, visitors can browse dozens of open-air booths offering seasonal delights like soft pretzels and hot chocolate, as well as handcrafted items from local artisans. After the opening weekend, the market will continue every Wednesday through Sunday throughout November and December. 777 S. Alameda St., North & South Lot, Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Zoo’s brightest annual tradition is back to transform the zoo grounds into a world of light and holiday magic. The after-hours event offers brightly lit displays and a festive, family-friendly experience every night throughout the holiday season. Explore an immersive landscape with dazzling new lantern sculptures of larger-than-life animals and holiday wonders for a nature-focused seasonal celebration that’s as inspiring as it is breathtaking.
Friday through Sunday – Family Play Space at the Autry Museum – Calling all artists, explorers, builders, make-believers and dreamers! Visit the Autry’s family play space, and you might build a barn after telling a campfire yarn. Learn about the Texas longhorn while pondering how the West was won, play with a train, or say hi to some dogbane. You might even look at some art and pretend to shop with a grocery cart! After drawing an elderberry, enjoy the library and get offline while sitting underneath the grapevine. The Autry Museum in Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual Friday Night Jazz series is back for a season of free weekly concerts at Smidt Welcome Plaza through November. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Local Farmer Markets
Saturdays
Burbank Certified Farmers Market [8 a.m. to Noon]
Silver Lake Farmers Market [8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.]
Pasadena Farmers’ Market at Victory Park [8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.]
La Cañada, Flintridge Farmers Market [9 a.m. to 1 p.m.]
North Hollywood Farmers Market [9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.]
Sundays
Studio City Farmers Market [8 a.m. to 2 p.m.]
Montrose Farmers Market [8 a.m. to 1 p.m.]
Atwater Village Farmers Market [ 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.]
