Holiday events in Old Town Pasadena will put those who live at Villas and Terraces at The Ambassador Gardens right in the heart of all the festive fun. Adults and children alike can enjoy everything from holiday-themed karaoke to live theatre to multiple opportunities to meet and take pictures with Santa. There’s even a special dog-themed holiday activity in Pasadena! We’ve got the rundown on the December events you’ll want to get on your calendar. For more information on Villas and Terraces from renowned builder etco HOMES, contact a sales executive at agsales@etcohomes.com. Only a few of the luxury townhomes with private elevators remain at Villas, priced from the low $2 millions. Terraces is selling swiftly, with buyers falling in love with the high-end townhomes with private elevators and single-level flats. Prices for Terraces begin in the mid $2 millions.

It's the festive season, and holiday events in Old Town Pasadena will keep you busy and having fun through the end of the year.

It’s the festive season, and holiday events in Old Town Pasadena will keep you busy and having fun through the end of the year.

Holiday Karaoke Kick-Off

Saturday, December 1, 6–9pm/One Colorado Courtyard

“Kids’ Karaoke begins at 6pm and adults can take over the mic at 7pm accompanied by a live band. The song repertoire will include karaoke and holiday tunes by rock-and-roll favorites. The evening will also include cookies, cupcakes, and cocoa, along with a family folly photo booth so you can memorialize the moment. Santa strolls the event for special photo ops!”

One Colorado asks that revelers bring a new, unopened toy for children up to 5 or a $25 gift cards for adults to support Union Station Homeless Services Family Center.

Holidayfest

Saturday, December 1, noon–5pm/The Shops on Lake Avenue

South Lake Avenue’s annual Holidayfest features in-store specials and promotions, horse and carriage rides, live music, photos with Santa, carolers, holiday crafts for kids, a themed scavenger hunt, and giveaways.

NOOR’s annual Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 1, 8:30–10:30am/NOOR

One of several family-friendly holiday events in Old Town Pasadena, this breakfast also features pictures with Santa, arts & crafts, and a photo booth with props.

Old Pasadena Saturday Holiday Surprises

Saturday, December 1, 8, and 15, 1–4pm/Mercantile Place

Head to Mercantile Place for festive, free holiday entertainment for the whole family. Activities include face painting, photos with merry elves, and balloon creations.

Teddy Bear Tea in the Lobby Lounge

December 1, 2, 8, 9, and 15­–23, 10am–1:30pm/The Langham Pasadena

It’s a memory you’ll all cherish for a lifetime. For the kids: a puppet show, storytelling by one of Santa’s helpers, pictures with the man himself, and tasty treats including sandwiches, cookies, and hot chocolate, For the adults: The Langham’s Signature Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood. Bring an unwrapped, packaged gift to donate!

A Christmas Carol

Saturday, December 1 to Sunday, December 23, 8–10pm/A Noise Within

This favorite holiday production including Bob Crachit, Tiny Tim, and Scrooge returns for another year at A Noise Within! This is one of the can’t-miss holiday events in Old Town Pasadena.

Holiday Tour at Castle Green

Sunday, December 2, 1–5pm/Castle Green

This historic building is only open to the public twice a year. Take a self-guided tour and enjoy holiday bites throughout the grounds.

Pasadena Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, December 7, 5–7pm/Pasadena City Hall

Be there as the Mayor lights Pasadena’s official holiday tree. This event will also include musical performances, light refreshments, and holiday photos with Santa Claus in Santa’s Village. Bring an unwrapped toy or sporting equipment for kids ages up to age 17 to support the Spark of Love Toy Drive.

Moana Jr. the Musical

Friday, December 7 to Sunday, December 16/Theatre 360

Family-friendly theatre comes to Pasadena via Theatre 360’s exciting participation in the Disney Theatrical Productions Pilot Program.

Breakfast with Santa

Saturday, December 8, 9–11:30am/War Memorial Building

Breakfast, crafts, and holiday fun, plus pics with Santa!

Old Pasadena Yappy Holidays

Saturday, December 8, 2–4pm/Big Bang Theory Way

The holidays are for the dogs! Dress your canine BFF in his or her holiday finest and head out for this “doggy meet-up that showcases our city’s adorably cute pooches. Event-goers can snap pics with all-new holiday photo props and pose on the ‘green carpet’—costumed elves are ready to pose for pics with the pups too! Get a free Yappy Hour bandana while supplies last, enter to win the swag bag raffles, try tasty samples from The Dog Bakery, visit with the Pasadena Humane Society, and meet local Instagram doggy celebrities. The Holly Street Stompers will be on hand to keep you toe-tapping with holiday swing and jazz. Enjoy the outdoor dog-friendly patio and an extended Happy Hour at Dog Haus Biergarten adjacent to the event.”

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus Winter Concert

Sunday, December 9 and 16, 7:30pm/Pasadena Presbyterian Church

LACC, one of the world’s leading children’s choirs, celebrates the holidays with its annual Winter Concert, “Winter Wonderland: Sounds of the Season.” Enjoy favorite carols and seasonal songs.

Holiday Music at One Colorado

Sunday, December 9 to Sunday, December 16/One Colorado Courtyard

Holiday tunes will fill the air for an entire week in December during these holiday events in Old Town Pasadena. The schedule includes:

  • Sunday, December 9, 1pm: Random Acts of Music with the Pasadena Symphony and Pops
  • Sunday, December 9, 6pm: Barnhart School Choir
  • Thursday, December 13, 6pm: Monday@JoJo’s
  • Saturday, December 15, 4pm: Pasadena’s Girls’ Choir
  • Sunday, December 16, 1pm: Random Acts of Music with the Pasadena Symphony and Pops
  • Sunday December 16, 4pm: Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas

Bob Baker Marionette Holiday Show

Tuesday, December 11, 4:30–5:30pm/One Colorado Courtyard

You won’t want to miss this special event, when One Colorado hosts a special holiday show from the Bob Baker Marionettes.

Holiday Candlelight Concert

Saturday, December 15, 4pm and 7pm/All Saints Church

This popular holiday concert performed by candlelight at the stunning All Saints Church sells out every year.

The Wonderful Winter of Oz 

Saturday, December 15 to Sunday, December 30/Pasadena Civic Auditorium

“This Panto style musical adventure is fun for the family and not one to miss. Experience the magic of OZ, in this Holiday version of a classic fairy tale.”

Winterfest

Through December 23; Ice rink open seven days a week through January 6/Santa Anita Park

Santa Anita Park transforms into a winter wonderland this season, with an ice skating rink, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, Santa’s petting zoo and village, giant inflatables, live music, and Santa Claus himself, plus seasonal food and beverages and more than 60 pop-up shops filled with unique holiday gifts.

Rose Parade Float Decorating

Friday, December 28, to Monday, December 31/Multiple locations

Living in Pasadena puts the Rose Parade in your backyard, but there’s much more to enjoy besides watching the floats go by. If you’ve ever wanted to help decorate the floats, there are several locations:

Keep in mind that while some locations may take walk-in volunteers, there’s no guarantee of space available; contacting the locations prior to your arrival is recommended.

Snow Days 

Wednesday, December 26 to Sunday, December 30/Kidspace Children’s Museum

No need to head for the mountains! Get out your winter clothes and head for Kidspace Museum, where they truck in tons of snow for this annual event. Live performances, winter-themed art, and cookie decorating are also featured activities.

Moonlight Forest: Magical Lantern Art Festival

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 5:30–10pm through Sunday, January 6/Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden

“A fantasy of light transforms the Arboretum into an evening wonderland. Magnificent lantern art depicting exotic animals, shimmering flowers, whimsical pandas, soaring dragons and other themes create the mesmerizing experience of Moonlight Forest.

Enchanted: Forest of Light

Through Sunday, January 6/Descanso Gardens

This interactive experience takes you through a one-mile walk through the Oak Woodland, Camellia Forest, Japanese Garden, and Rose Garden featuring a series of incredible lighting displays and interactive exhibitions.

For more information about Villas and Terraces or holiday events in Old Town Pasadena, contact agsales@etcohomes.com or visit PasadenaPerfected.com. Villas’ luxurious three-story townhomes offer three to four bedrooms in 2,904 to 3,717 square feet while Terraces’ townhomes and single-level flats span three to four bedrooms in 3,040 to 4,430 square feet. Both communities feature modern amenities and luxurious appointments throughout their spacious floorplans, starting with the gourmet kitchens. Professional Wolf® and Asco® appliances and built-in Subzero® refrigerators, sleek European-style cabinetry, and miles of high-end Caesarstone® countertops including expansive islands are featured. Open to the great rooms, the entertaining spaces flow just as beautifully into the private outdoor spaces, with some residences also boasting rooftop terraces with stunning views.

All homes also enjoy private four-car garages and a one-of-a kind location that surrounds them in the tranquil, natural beauty of the historic Ambassador Gardens with its colorful flora, lush rolling hills, meandering walkways, and soothing fountains. Yet, all the best of Old Town Pasadena is just outside the perimeter. That puts favorite restaurants, shops, entertainment, museums, recreation, and these great holiday events in Pasadena, within footsteps from home.

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