Kwanzaa display (Photo – Adjoajo)
For the final weekend of the year, explore choices that include nationwide celebrations like Kwaanza and the hyper-local Christmas Tree Lane Model Railroad.
By Melanie Hooks
Click on highlighted event titles for more information.
Friday, December 26, 2025
Entrance of the Rose bowl in Pasadena (Photo – Ted Eytan)
10:00 – 11:00 am: Sierra Madre Senior Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class, Memorial Park. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. Bring a lei, flower skirt, or just your desire to dance. (@Memorial Park, Sierra Madre)
10:30 am – 12:30 pm Rose Bowl Stadium Tour, Your tour guide will lead you through behind the scenes locations at the stadium, including the classic stadium seating and original 1922 locker room. (@Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena)
5:00 – 9:00 pm: Monrovia Street Fair and Market takes place every Friday evening in Old Town Monrovia! (@500 Block of Myrtle Ave. between Lemon Avenue and Colorado Boulevard)
7:00 – 9:00 pm: San Gabriel Valley Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, Group support. (@600 S. Lake Ave., Suite 200 Pasadena CA 91106)
7:00 – 9:00 pm: Caltech Tai Chi Club. Free Hao-style tai chi chuan instruction, beginners welcome. Street, lot and structure parking available & free on-campus after 5:00 pm. (@Hameetman Center, Caltech, Pasadena)
7:00 – 9:00 pm: Monthly Queer Social at SGVLGBTQ Center, Monthly Queer Social is an opportunity for folks across the San Gabriel Valley to gather and enjoy a night of music, community, and good vibes. Dress code: Fabulous! (@SGVLGBTQ Center)
Saturday, December 27, 2025
Enchanted Forest of Light (Photo- Descanso Gardens)
10:30 am, 1:30 pm, 4:30 pm showtimes: Bob Baker’s Nutcracker at Sierra Madre Playhouse A cherished yuletide tradition for Angelenos of all ages, features 100+ handcrafted puppets. (@Sierra Madre Playhouse, Sierra Madre)
11:00 am: Pasadena Kwanzaa Celebration, Join a joyous Kwanzaa celebration full of music, storytelling and youth presentations, in partnership with the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (@La Pintoresca Branch Library, Pasadena)
11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Open Holiday House Tour Day at Pasadena’s Gamble House (@Gamble House, Pasadena)
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Altadena Library Offers Virtual True Crime Book Club. (@ Virtual Event. Contact the library for the Zoom link).
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Enchant Christmas Holiday Experience at Santa Anita Park Ticketed event that includes world’s largest light maze, an ice skating trail, and 10+ acres of holiday exhibits and activities. All ages. (@Santa Anita Park, Arcadia)
5:00 pm – 11:00 pm: Christmas Tree Lane Model Railroad Society Open House Detailed railroad model includes fun surprises like Star Trek figures and the Mars Rover. Open to public, free, on Saturdays through Jan 3. (@2085 Santa Rosa Ave., Altadena)
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Upper Hastings Ranch (losangelesloveaffair.com).
All Day: Upper Hastings Ranch Holiday Lights Join the neighborhood to enjoy festive lights and spirit, a tradition since the 1950s. (@Upper Hastings Ranch neighborhood, Pasadena)
8:30 am – 1:00 pm: Alhambra Certified Farmers Market Find a wide assortment of affordably priced fruits, vegetables, honey, herbs, bread & more from local growers and vendors. (@ 100 South Second Street, Alhambra)
3:00 pm: Pre-New Year’s Eve Celebration at Pasadena Senior Center. The Great American Swing Band will provide the music for a lively dance party to welcome in the new year. Party hats, noisemakers, and light snacks will be provided, as well as champagne for everyone to make a toast for 2026. Festive attire is encouraged. (@Altadena Library)
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