Christmas in Pasadena is fun! Pasadena Christmas activities include tree lighting ceremonies, pictures with Santa, holiday carolers, carriage rides, Christmas tree lights at Christmas Tree Lane, and performances at the Pasadena Playhouse and Pasadena Civic Center.
Christmas Celebrations in Pasadena
Pasadena becomes an epicenter of Christmas festivities every December. Here’s a more detailed guide to ensure you make the most of the season:
Christmas Performances and Shows
- The Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (December 20): Held at the Pasadena Civic Center, this classic ballet narrates the enchanting tale of Clara and her adventures, transporting audiences to a magical world of dance and music. If you are unable to see The Nutcracker! in Pasadena, there will also be performances at Royce Hall (UCLA), Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, and the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
- “A Christmas Carol” at A Noise Within (December1-24): This Christmas production, staged at A Noise Within theatre, reimagines Charles Dickens’ classic story of redemption and the true spirit of Christmas. Ideal for a family outing, the play is a blend of music, drama, and festive joy, perfectly capturing the essence of the holiday season.
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze (December 12, 13): A performance at The Pasadena Civic Center, where world-class performers display breathtaking acts combined with a holiday twist.
- PCC Chamber Music Ensembles (December 13): A showcase of small-group music selections by the talented members of the PCC Chamber Music class, offering a musical retreat.
- Holiday Candlelight (December 16): The Pasadena Symphony and Pops’ will hold its Christmas concert at All Saints Church in Pasadena. This Christmas event sells out quickly. The Christmas Concert includes choral and handbell performances of holiday classics by candlelight.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies
- Pasadena City Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony:
- Pasadena City Hall will light its Christmas tree in December in Pasadena by attending the Pasadena City Hall Tree Lighting ceremony. Pasadena’s annual Christmas event has been celebrated for decades and attracts residents and visitors to the city.
- The Pasadena City Hall tree lighting ceremony occurs in front of Pasadena City Hall, where a 60-foot Christmas tree is lit with thousands of Christmas lights. Attendees can enjoy live music performances, food vendors, and other holiday-themed activities.
- Christmas Tree Lighting at One Colorado: One Colorado’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony is a must-see!
- Watch the host light the 60-foot Christmas tree, meet Santa, and participate in special in-store events during the Holiday Open House. Everything is free and open to the public.
- Christmas Tree Lighting at Paseo Colorado:
- The Paseo Colorado hosts an annual Tree Lighting Celebration, a fun event for families and the community.
- The Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration includes the ceremonial lighting of a Christmas tree, with holiday activities like listening to carolers singing classic songs.
- Santa will have a special appearance and help light the tree.
Kid-Friendly Christmas Activities at One Colorado
- Pictures with Santa: Pasadena’s One Colorado has a special picture with Santa.
- Children can sit on Santa’s lap and tell him their holiday wishes while parents snap photos to capture the moment.
- Photos with Santa is usually held during the afternoon and evenings during the two weeks leading up to Christmas.
- Storytime with Santa: One Colorado on Sundays, December 3, 10, and 17, from 1 to 2 pm, for stories with Santa Claus.
- This Christmas event is perfect for families with children under ten. Gather around as Santa shares enchanting holiday stories, creating a festive and magical atmosphere.
- 12 Days of Holiday Events (Starting December 12): Starting December 12, Pasadena’s One Colorado hosts 12 Christmas activities.
- Each day, there is a different activity, like caroling, wreath making, popcorn garland making, gingerbread house decorating, and holiday ornament making.
- Letters to Santa: Pasadena has a special mailbox that sends letters to Santa Claus.
- Children can write letters to Santa expressing their holiday wishes and mail them to a special address, where volunteers or Santa will read and respond. This is a fun and festive way for children to get into the Christmas spirit and practice their writing skills.
- Holiday Carolers at One Colorado: Holiday carolers sing popular Christmas songs at One Colorado and in front of stores in Old Town Pasadena.
- Carolers sing classic holiday songs, such as “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls,” while dressed in elaborate Victorian-themed clothes.
Christmas Community Events and Social Gatherings
- Holidayfest on South Lake Ave (December 2): A gathering featuring diverse attractions, including live music stages, horse and carriage rides, and arts and crafts for children.
- Pictures with Santa
- Live music and entertainment
- Food trucks and holiday treats
- Face painting and crafts for the kids
- Cookie Decorating
- Christmas Carolers
- Horse and Carriage Rides
- Pub Pioneers Santa Stumble Pub Crawl (December 9): A festive bar-hopping experience that promises fun, camaraderie, and perhaps a few Santa hats!
- Christmas Toy and Food Giveaway (December 2nd): Located at CVS and sponsored by the Jade Marlin Foundation, this charitable event ensures every child has a gift to unwrap.
- One Colorado Pasadena Holiday Party (Dec 2, 5-8 pm)
- This evening celebration will be enlivened with tunes from KCRW’s DJ Novena Carmel, accompanied by Sushi Roku’s unique selection of holiday cocktails and sushi rolls available for takeaway.
- Guests can personalize newly purchased gifts from One Colorado shops, courtesy of Lot Stock & Barrel. This service is available with a proof of purchase of at least $50 from any One Colorado store dated November 15 and December 2.
- Crown City Dance Holiday Ball (December 10): A spirited evening where attendees can groove to seasonal tunes and participate in festive dance routines.
- Day One: Toy giveaway for kids in underserved communities. This event emphasizes community bonding, promoting unity and warmth.
- Autumn Blooms: A Fall Ikebana Celebration (December 1-3): Hosted at the USC Pacific Asia Museum, this event elegantly marries the Japanese art of flower arrangement with festive undertones.
Christmas Outdoor Experiences
- Upper Hastings Ranch (U.H.R.A.) – Holiday Light Up: Visit Upper Hastings Ranch for impressive displays of Christmas lights.
- During the holiday season, each street in this neighborhood decorates the outside of its home with a specific Christmas theme. Drive or walk through the streets to enjoy the Christmas decorations.
- Rose Bowl Parade: Kicking off the New Year, the parade showcases intricately designed floral floats, lively marching bands, and equestrian units.
- The Rose Bowl Parade is held on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California. The Parade started in 1890 and was organized by the Tournament of Roses. The parade features beautiful floats decorated with flowers, marching bands, and equestrian units. People worldwide come to see the parade, which travels along Colorado Blvd and Orange Groove (Millionaire Mile) for about five and a half miles.
- Take a Holiday Tour at Castle Green.
- Castle Green is a historic landmark built in 1898. During Christmas, Castle Green is decorated with Victorian-era Christmas decorations. Love Pasadena history? In April 1891, President Benjamin Harrison stayed at Castle Green while visiting Pasadena.
- Rose Bowl Holiday Tours (December 26-29): A fun tour offering a peek into the history of this legendary stadium and its prestigious games.
- Bandfest (December 29-30): A precursor to the Rose Parade, attendees can witness the selected bands showcase their award-winning performances.
- Equestfest (December 29): An equine event displaying stunning choreography, trick riding, and the opportunity for attendees to learn about diverse horse breeds.
Kid-friendly Christmas events at the Langham
- Teddy Bear Tea at the Langham
- Teddy Bear Tea includes an afternoon tea tailored for children, featuring a selection of sandwiches, scones, and sweets.
- Alongside the tea, a puppet show and a visit from Santa Claus add to the festive atmosphere.
- Each child attendee will receive a special Paddington x The Langham teddy bear, complete with a pink duffle coat, as a souvenir.
- When: 10 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3; Friday, Dec. 8, to Sunday, Dec. 10; and Friday, Dec. 15, to Sunday, Dec. 24.
Kid-friendly Christmas events at Kidspace Museum
Visit Kidspace Museum from November 10 to January 7 this Christmas for family-friendly activities. Kidspace Museum is transformed into a winter-themed play area for children, including activities typically associated with the colder months, minus the snow and mess.
Kidspace Museum Christmas activities:
- Sock Skating: An ice-free rink perfect for beginners to slide and spin. Open to all ages, with a $5 fee for entry. Space is limited to prevent overcrowding.
- Creative Play: Children can pretend to ice fish or build with “ice blocks” that are safe and won’t cause frostbite.
- Photo Opportunities: A life-size, no-melt snowman is set up for children to dress and take festive photographs with. Remember to wear your holiday-themed outfits!
Pasadena has many events tailored for people with diverse interests, ensuring both residents and visitors experience a joyful and memorable Christmas season.
Holiday Destinations in and Around Pasadena
Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane
Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane is a must-visit attraction during Christmas.
Christmas Tree Lane features a mile-long street of 135 decorated deodar cedar trees. Christmas Tree Lane celebration began in 1920 and is one of California’s oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas tree displays.
Christmas Tree Lane is open for both pedestrians and cars. The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony features a marching band, a drum line, arts and crafts for kids, and food vendors.
Where is Christmas Tree Lane?
Christmas Tree Lane is located in Altadena, on Santa Rosa Avenue, between Woodbury Avenue and Altadena Drive.
Christmas snow at Glendale’s American at Brand
Christmas brings snow every night to the Americana at Brand in Glendale. Starting November 16, visitors can experience artificial snow at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. every night. Christmas at the Americana at Brand occurs until Christmas Day.
Christmas at the Americana also includes pictures with Santa. Santa’s House is near The Green in the center of the Americana. Here, guests can meet Santa, share their holiday wishes, and take photos.
Universal Studios Hollywood Grinchmas
Experience the magic of the holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood Grinchmas.
Lightscape at the Arboretum
The Arboretum’s Lightscape, an immersive holiday light experience, opens on Friday, November 17.
Lightscape is a unique Christmas holiday experience. It has a unique winter walk through the garden’s Serpent Trail and Forest Path, enhanced with creative light installations. Lightscape must-sees include the Fire Garden, Arch of Light, Feast of Light, Dancing Palms, and other installations, along with the return of the popular Winter Cathedral. Visitors can also enjoy food trucks and a full bar available each night.
Santa Claus will make appearances on select evenings.
Disneyland Holiday Season
During the Holiday Season, Disneyland is decorated in traditional Christmas colors. Disneyland holiday events include Christmas-themed light displays and parades. Don’t forget to take a photo with Mickey and Minnie dressed in special Christmas outfits.
Descanso Enchanted Forest of Light
Each year, the Descanso Gardens hosts the Descanso Enchanted Forest of Light. This one-mile walk through the botanical gardens in La Cañada Flintridge showcases a variety of light displays and interactive exhibits, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Highlights of the illuminated path include the Starlight Garden, Symphony of Oaks, and the Lightwave Lake.
Christmas at Knott’s Berry Farm
For a fun and festive adventure, head to Knott’s Berry Farm for their annual Christmas celebration. Knott’s is transformed into a wonderland with themed attractions, live entertainment, and special treats. Popular seasonal attractions include the Snoopy Ice Show, Merry Christmas Snoopy, and Knott’s Merry Farm activities like cookie decorating and visits with Santa.
Remember to dress warmly and bring your camera to capture the magical memories at these holiday destinations in and around Pasadena.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I experience holiday lights in Pasadena?
You can experience spectacular holiday lights in the Upper Hastings Ranch neighborhood. Each street in this neighborhood decorates its lawn with a specific holiday theme during the holidays. Additionally, visit the Pasadena City Hall, which features a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
What festive events take place at the Pasadena Playhouse?
During the Christmas holidays, the Pasadena Playhouse offers a variety of holiday-themed shows and events. Some of their popular events include the theatrical production of “A Christmas Carol” and Christmas concerts.
What Christmas events occur on South Lake Ave?
The South Lake Avenue Holidayfest is a Christmas event in Pasadena on December 2, 2023, from 12:00 to 6:00 PM. This kid-friendly Christmas event is free and includes live music, photos with Santa, a horse-drawn carriage, cookie and ornament decorating, Christmas Carolers, a scavenger hunt, holiday airbrushing, and in-store promotions.
Which ice-skating options are available in Pasadena?
Ice skating is a popular seasonal activity in Pasadena. The Pasadena Ice Skating Center offers public skating sessions throughout the holidays, seasonal skating classes, and winter camps. Check out Downtown Los Angeles’ Holiday Ice Rink if you prefer outdoor ice skating.
Any recommendations for holiday shopping in Old Town Pasadena?
Old Town Pasadena is a great place to do some holiday shopping. Colorado Boulevard and its surrounding streets are filled with boutiques, trendy shops, and various dining options. The One Colorado area is perfect for finding unique gifts, plus they often have special holiday events, such as live music and pictures with Santa.
What are popular holiday concerts in the area?
Pasadena offers several holiday concerts during the Christmas season. Some popular options include the Pasadena Symphony’s annual “Holiday Candlelight” concert, Los Angeles Children’s Chorus performances, and Pasadena Presbyterian Church’s annual Christmas concert.
What are unique California Christmas traditions to check out in Pasadena?
The Rose Parade, held on January 1st, is a unique California holiday tradition in Pasadena. The Rose Parade features handmade floral floats, marching bands nationwide, and equestrian units. You can also help decorate the floats from December 26-30th.
Christmas in Pasadena
Christmas in Pasadena is a fun and festive time of year. Pasadena residents can enjoy various activities, including tree lighting ceremonies, pictures with Santa, holiday carolers, carriage rides, Christmas tree lights at Christmas Tree Lane, and performances at the Pasadena Playhouse and Pasadena Civic Center.
