(Photo – Gingerbread Jamboree)
From creating delicious gingerbread houses to enjoying festive holiday tunes, the weekend is packed with activities that bring joy to all ages.
By Melanie Hooks
Whether you’re learning the hula, exploring a light maze, or taking in a classic holiday musical, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season.
Click on highlighted event titles for more information.
Friday, December 19, 2025
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The Music Man Jr!
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)
- 3:00 – 5:00 pm: Sierra Madre Gingerbread Jamboree, Create your own delicious gingerbread house. All materials will be provided while supplies last. No registration required. All ages. (@Memorial Park, Sierra Madre).
- 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).
- 7:30 pm – 9:45 pm: The Music Man Jr! Musical
Enjoy the classic tale of an instrument salesman turning a town on its musical head. Tickets $25-30 (@ South Pasadena High School Auditorium, South Pasadena).
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Santa in San Gabriel. Dec. 6, 2022 (Photo – City of San Gabriel)
- 10:00 – 12:00 pm: San Gabriel Valley Coffee Chat for LGBTQ Seniors at Pasadena Village Enjoy community for LGBTQ adults 50+. (@Pasadena Village, San Gabriel Valley)
- 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: Nightmare Before Christmas SingAlong Free, fun way to sing all your favorites from the animated classic with the whole family (@Hastings Branch Library, Pasadena).
- 11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Woodworking Workshop for Ages 5-15 at Villa Parke Library Kids and teens design and create their own woodworking projects in supported environment. First-come, first-served, no registration required. (@Villa Parke Library, Pasadena)
- 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: ArtCenter 2025 Fall Grad Show Tour the work of 270+ graduate artists. Free, open to public. (@Pasadena Convention Center, Exhibit Halls A & B)
- 1:00 pm: Pasadena Conservatory of Music Brass Plays Holiday Tunes at Vroman’s Enjoy free, festive tunes in the Paseo outside Vroman’s Bookstore while you enjoy Christmas shopping downtown. (@Vroman’s Bookstore, Pasadena)
- 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Alhambra Library’s Instrument Petting Zoo Families with children are invited to explore, touch and play a variety of musical instruments in a fun, interactive setting. (@Alhambra Civic Center Library, Alhambra)
- 2:00 pm , 7:00 pm: Pasadena Dance Theater’s “The Nutcracker” Two performances today and tomorrow of the classic ballet feature PDT’s Conservatory Dancers, youth and alumni. (@San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, San Gabriel)
- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm: First@Third Concerts – Christmas Joy Concert Hear carols both classic and new. This concert is curated by Scott Lehmkuhl, Director of Music Ministries for First UMC. (@First United Methodist Church, Pasadena)
- 5:00 pm – 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).
- 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)
- 5:00 pm – 10: 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 – 9:00 pm Santa Claus Travels Through San Gabriel Santa will be traveling through San Gabriel, escorted by San Gabriel firefighters and policemen aboard the antique 1957 Mack fire engine. (See event link for location details.)
- 7:30 pm – 9:45 pm: The Music Man Jr! Musical
Enjoy the classic tale of an instrument salesman turning a town on its musical head. Tickets $25-30 (@ South Pasadena High School Auditorium, South Pasadena). - 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: A Jet Set Christmas! Jazz, Carols & Holiday Cheer Retro‑cool jazz interpretations of beloved classics. (@Sierra Madre Playhouse, Sierra Madre)
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Candlelight Walk in Sierra Madre (Photo – Rachelle Arizmendi)
- 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)
- 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)
- 1:00 pm: Fiddle-Dee-Dee Holiday Tunes at Vroman’s Enjoy free, festive tunes, courtesy of Pasadena Conservatory of Music in the Paseo outside Vroman’s Bookstore while you enjoy Christmas shopping downtown. (@Vroman’s Bookstore, Pasadena)
- 5:00 pm Blue Christmas Contemplative Service at Pasadena Presbyterian A special, comforting service on Sunday, focusing on the unique hurt that loss can bring during the holidays. (@Pasadena Presbyterian Church, Pasadena)
- 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Santa Claus Travels Through San Gabriel Santa will be traveling through San Gabriel, escorted by San Gabriel firefighters and policemen aboard the antique 1957 Mack fire engine. (See event link for location details.)
- 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm Candlelight Walk Participants encouraged to bring their own candles or flashlights. Be prepared for chilly weather, as temperatures are expected to drop during the event. (322 N Baldwin Ave, Sierra Madre)
- 7:30 pm – 9:45 pm: The Music Man Jr! Musical
Enjoy the classic tale of an instrument salesman turning a town on its musical head. Tickets $25-30 (@ South Pasadena High School Auditorium, South Pasadena).
Blue Christmas Service (Photo – Pasadena Presbyterian)
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