[Updated] Where To Catch Holiday Cheers in Greater Pasadena Area

Holiday tree at Pasadena City Hall, 2020 (Photo – Gareth Peries)

For most people the holidays are a time of cheer. Below are some local events that are happening in December.

By Nicole Bernard

Thursday, December 2, 2021 -Passed

• South Pasadena, 5:30pm
  South Pasadena Holiday Tree and Menorah at the South Pasadena Farmers Market (920 Meridian Ave South Pasadena, 91030).
  Free and family friendly.
• Monrovia, 7:00 pm
  Holiday Parade travels north on Myrtle Avenue (from Chestnut Ave. to Palm Ave).

Friday, December 3, 2021 -Passed

• South Pasadena
  The annual Holiday Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library will be held from Dec. 3 to 5, 2021. The event will take place in the Library Community Room, (1115 El Centro Street in South Pasadena).
• Pasadena, 1:00 pm
  Throughout the month of December the Pasadena Senior Center is hosting free movie matinees. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Today: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” (Click for details).
• Pasadena, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  The City of Pasadena hosts their annual Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Pasadena City Hall. Pasadena Fire Department will also be collecting unwrapped toys and sports equipment for the Spark of Love toy drive.
• Alhambra, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  The Downtown Alhambra Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Edwards Renaissance Plaza (1 East Main Street Alhambra).

Holidayfest on South Lake, 2015 (File Photo – southlakeavenue.org).

Saturday, December 4, 2021 -Passed

• Altadena, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
  Open Studio & Artist Marketplace will take place at 3061 Ridgeview Drive in Altadena. Free street parking and light refreshment.

• Pasadena, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
  The Friends of the Pasadena Public Library will offer another segment of its great bookstore inventory for sale at the Central Library’s parking lot. Fill a grocery bag for $5, or make individual purchases at a table featuring premium books. (Cash or check only).
• South Pasadena
  The annual Holiday Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library will be held from Dec. 3 to 5, 2021. The event will take place in the Library Community Room, (1115 El Centro Street in South Pasadena).
• Montrose, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
  Montrose Old Town Christmas hosts activities every Saturday and Sunday until December 19. Activities include live music, free pony rides and a visit from Santa Claus. For more information visit shopmontrose.com.
• Arcadia, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
  Downtown Arcadia will be filled with free fun for kids, shopping booths, live music, beer and wine booth, DJ John Villa, and Santa for the Holiday Fair event on First Avenue. (First Avenue will be closed from Huntington Drive to Diamond Street).
• Altadena, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
  Altadena Chamber of Commerce Holiday Sip and Shop at the Mariposa Junction (Lake Ave and Mariposa Ave in Altadena). (Click for details).
• Pasadena, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
  Holidayfest on South Lake Avenue. Enjoy photos with Santa, holiday characters, free activities and in-store promotions at participating locations. Visit southlakeavenue.org for more information.
• Pasadena, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
  Enjoy musical performances and ornament decoration at the One Colorado’s Holiday Party Kick off. This event will take place at 41 Hugus Alley.

Sunday, December 5, 2021 -Passed

• Altadena, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
  Open Studio & Artist Marketplace will take place at 3061 Ridgeview Drive in Altadena. Free street parking and light refreshment.
• South Pasadena
  The annual Holiday Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library will be held from Dec. 3 to 5, 2021. The event will take place in the Library Community Room, (1115 El Centro Street in South Pasadena).

• Pasadena
  The Garfield Heights Home Tours returns for its 13th incarnation with five new homes and gardens. (Click for more information on the virtual tour).

San Gabriel Tree Lighting at Plaza Park (File Photo – sangabrielcity.com).

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 -Passed

• San Gabriel City, 6:00 – 8:30 pm
  The tree lighting ceremony will be followed by a visit from Santa! This event will take place at Plaza Park (428 S. Mission Drive). For more information visit sangabrielcity.com/203/Special-Events.

Thursday, December 9, 2021 -Passed

• Monterey Park, 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
  Monterey Park Recreation and Community Services Department will host their annual Holiday Snow Village. This event will be held at George Elder Park (1950 Wilcox Ave). For more information montereypark.ca.gov/1385/Holiday-Snow-Village.

Friday, December 10, 2021 -Passed

• Pasadena, 1:00 pm
  Throughout the month of December the Pasadena Senior Center is hosting free movie matinees. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Today: “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” (Click for details).

Christmas Tree Lane (Photo – wikipedia.org).

Saturday, December 11, 2021

• Altadena, 4:00 – 8:00 pm
  Parks After Dark returns for the winter season with free activities including a Snow Event at Loma Alta Park in Altadena. (Click for details).

• Altadena, 6:00 pm to midnight
  Christmas Tree Lane’s Lighting Ceremony and Winter Special will take place in Altadena at E Mariposa St & Santa Rosa Ave, 91001.
• Pasadena, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
  Holiday Light Up at Upper Hastings Ranch. Drive through the neighborhood to enjoy a festival of lights and parkway displays. (Click for directions).

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

• Alhambra
  The City of Alhambra is inviting residents to spread holiday cheer around their neighborhoods in their home decorating contest. Applications are due by 5:30pm. Judging will take place from 6:00pm-9:00pm. (Click for more information).

Sierra Madre Santa Parade

Friday, December 17, 2021

• Pasadena, 1:00 pm
  Throughout the month of December the Pasadena Senior Center is hosting free movie matinees. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Today: “The Christmas Chronicles.” (Click for details).
• December Holiday Concerts, Huntington Library Rothenberg Hall
  The New Hollywood String Quartet presents The Vienna Holiday Concerts December 17th – 19th, 2021. These three concerts will take place at the Huntington Library Rothenberg Hall with performances of chamber music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert. Tickets info at this link.

• Sierra Madre, 5:30 pm
  Sierra Madre will have its annual Christmas Parade with a meet and greet for Santa Claus after the parade at Fire Station 41. For more information visit cityofsierramadre.com/smfd.

Saturdday, December 18, 2021

• December Holiday Concerts, Huntington Library Rothenberg Hall
  The New Hollywood String Quartet presents The Vienna Holiday Concerts December 17th – 19th, 2021. These three concerts will take place at the Huntington Library Rothenberg Hall with performances of chamber music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert. Tickets info at this link.

Sunday, December 19, 2021

• December Holiday Concerts, Huntington Library Rothenberg Hall
  The New Hollywood String Quartet presents The Vienna Holiday Concerts December 17th – 19th, 2021. These three concerts will take place at the Huntington Library Rothenberg Hall with performances of chamber music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert. Tickets info at this link.

Friday, December 24, 2021

• Alhambra,
  Spark of Love Toy Drive hosted by The Alhambra Firefighter’s Association, City of Alhambra and Alhambra Unified School District. Unwrapped toys or sporting equipment can be dropped off at any of the Alhambra city sites through December 24. (Click for more information).

San Marino Christmas Tree Lane (Photo – kidsofsocal.com)

Throughout the month of December

• San Marino
  Christmas lights at St. Albans Road in San Marino will be lit throughout the month of December. (Saint Albans Rd. and Huntington Ave.).

Be safe and have a wonderful holiday season.

> Do you know of an event we missed? Let us know in the comment section below. This list will be updated as needed.