Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Dec. 31 to Jan. 6

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 31, to Friday, Jan. 5.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

The annual Live on Green street festival continues Saturday, Dec. 31, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 1, from noon to 4 p.m. on Green Street between Marengo and Euclid avenues.

Teens are invited to an afternoon of epic battles and a lot of fun with a Super Smash Brothers for Wii U throwdown Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 4 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library. The winner will get a spectacular prize! 

The first Tuesday of every month is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. is Fruitcake Toss Day! Bring your own fruitcake to fling on the target range plus learn about other New Year's traditions from around the world. Don't miss the wacky antics of Rene's Marionettes on stage at 6 p.m.

The Sheu Pettit Duo will perform on classical guitar Wednesday, Jan. 4, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941, NR) starring Robert Montgomery and Claude Rains will be shown Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A boxer dies 50 years too soon due to a heavenly mistake and is given a new life as a millionaire playboy.

Teens are invited to Movie Night in Studio on 4th at Central Library Thursday, Jan. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. for a screening and discussion of "It's Kind of a Funny Story" (2010, PG-13) starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galafianakis and Emma Roberts. A clinically depressed teenager gets a new start after he checks himself into an adult psychiatric ward. Popcorn and pizza will be served. The film is based on the book by Ned Vizzini. Call 626-744-4246 or email jgov@cityofpasadena.net to sign up.

Admission is free the first Friday (and third Thursday) of every month at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Friday, Jan. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else the museum has to offer. 

Admission is free the first Friday of every month at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, Jan. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy Vincent Van Gogh's "The Bedroom" on loan from the Art Institute of Chicago, Pablo Picasso lithographs from 1945 to 1960, the exhibition "Dark Visions: Mid-Century Macabre" and everything else the museum has to offer.

"Baked in Brooklyn" (2016, PG-13) starring Todd Bartels and Evengelo Bousis will be shown Friday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. After losing his job, a young man comes up with a think-outside-the-box solution until he realizes he's in over his head. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

Photo credits: Live on Green, Nintendo America, Kidspace Children's Museum, Sheu Pettit Duo, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Norton Simon Museum, Red Crown Productions,

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events December 24 to 30

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 24, to Friday, Dec. 30.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Hanukkah 2016 will be celebrated from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1. Enjoy special displays commemorating the Festival of Lights at Central Library and Linda Vista Branch Library. (Please note libraries will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1).

The annual family festival in front of Pasadena City Hall sponsored by Chabad of Pasadena Sunday, Dec. 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. will feature live klezmer music, traditional foods, menorah-making and other crafts, giveaways including gelt and dreidels, and the lighting of the giant menorah. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to attend. Please note the huge menorah is removed after the festival. 

A Kwanzaa event Tuesday, Dec. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library will feature music, stories and tasty dishes in celebration of family, community and culture. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to attend.

Quarteto Nuevo will perform world music Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"84 Charing Cross Road" (1987, PG) starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A writer in New York City and a seller of rare books in London carry on a relationship through letters over the course of two decades. Based on a true story.

Teens 13 and older are invited to an evening of board games, video games and pizza Wednesday, Dec. 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Central Library's Studio on 4th. Call 626-744-4246 to sign up.

The annual Live on Green street festival Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30 and 31, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 1, from noon to 4 p.m. on Green Street between Marengo and Euclid avenues will include live music from pop and rock to jazz and folk, additional entertainment from drum circles to theater groups to dance troupes, a family fun zone, historical exhibits, celebrity chefs, films, speakers from the worlds of science, literature and our community, a special tribute to the U.S. Air Force including their honor guard drill team, an F-25 jet and a flight simulator, the National Parks Service iconic Airstream trailer filled with fun and educational information, and much more! 

SAVE THE DATE!

Just a reminder that the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game are never on a Sunday so this year they will take place Monday, Jan. 2. 

Photo credits: Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Pasadena Star-News, Geoffrey Philp, Saddleback College, Columbia Pictures Corporation, Gizmo Diva, Live on Green.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events December 17 to 23

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 17, to Friday, Dec. 23.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

The Green Rabbit Holiday Open House Saturday, Dec. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pasadena Museum of History is inspired by the beloved Sign of the Green Rabbit created by Ernest Batchelder. The event will include festive holiday music by Ad Hoc Consort, a craft workshop, admission to the current exhibitions "Batchelder: Tilemaker" and "Cast & Fired: Pasadena's Mid-Century Ceramics Industry" plus a peek into the Fenyes Mansion adorned with touches of Edwardian-era holiday decor.

Artist Lia Halloran and writer Maria Popova will discuss Art Inspired by Astronomy Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. in the Hameetman Auditorium at Caltech's Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astophysics. This event marks the final opportunity to view Halloran's exhibition "Deep Sky Companion" on display at the center. 

"The Story Lady" (1991, G) starring Jessica Tandy and Stephanie Zimbalist will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. In this touching drama, a widow reads stories to children on public access television but is soon discovered by network executives who want to exploit her.

Three rarely seen one-act plays by Charles Dickens -- "Prince Bull," "The Child's Story" and "A Christmas Tree" -- will be performed in a staged reading by Unbound Productions Thursday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. The collective title of the plays is "Christmas Tree."

Photo credits: Pasadena Museum of History, Caltech, Jones Programming Partners. Bettman/Corbis.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events December 10 to 16

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 10 to Friday, Dec. 16.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Children are invited to help make it snow in Old Pasadena Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Metro right of way (an alley of sorts) just west of Arroyo Parkway between Union Street and Colorado Boulevard. Each child will make two snowflakes -- one to take home and one to hang in a temporary "Snow Flurry" public art installation -- and will have photo opportunities with the Snowflake Fairy and get their faces painted. The event will also include roving performers and much more.  

The fifth annual Literary Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Allendale Branch Library will feature poets, authors and performers who will explore the true meanings of the holidays with works ranging from the irreverent to the inspirational plus holiday music, refreshments and, of course, the lighting of the Christmas tree.

The Upper Hastings Ranch Association's Holiday Light-Up tradition began in the 1950s and is a Christmas season favorite. This year it kicks off Saturday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m. with carolers, bands, Santa Claus and, of course, all those beautifully decorated and colorfully lit yards, parkways and home exteriors. Every block has a different theme (Santa, reindeer, snowmen, etc.). Holiday Light-Up continues through Jan. 1.

Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and her band will perform Saturday, Dec. 10, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

Classical and jazz guitarist Joe LoPiccolo will perform Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Lemon Drop Kid" (1951, NR) starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A bookie finds himself deeply in debt to a gangster who gives him a little more time to raise the money, but he better have it ready by Christmas -- or else!

Children will love a gigantic balloon gingerbread house, baby abominable snowman and secret of Santa's magic cookie bag during Buster Balloon's Christmas Special Thursday, Dec. 15, at 3:30 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library.

The third Thursday (and first Friday) of every month is Free Admission Day at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Thursday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibitions and everything else the museum has to offer.

A staged reading of a new theatrical adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens will be performed by the actors of Unbound Productions Saturday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.  Tickets are required.

"Elf" (2003, PG) starring Will Ferrell and Mary Steenburgen will be shown Friday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center, After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. You do not have to be member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The holiday celebration and Christmas tree lighting at Hastings Branch Library will be on Friday, Dec. 16, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Photo credits: Wanelo, Hayes Garden World, Time Out, KT Tunstall, Joe LoPiccolo, Paramount Pictures, Buster Balloon, Pasadena Museum of California Art, Walt Disney Pictures, New Line Cinema, Not on the High Street.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Events Dec. 3 to 9

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 3, to Friday, Dec. 9.

All events are free, so take a look -- and don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to read books to gentle, well-trained dogs at Barks and Books sponsored by the Pasadena Humane Society Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to noon at Linda Vista Branch Library. 

Festivities at South Lake's Holidayfest Saturday, Dec. 3, from noon to 5 p.m. will include photos with Santa, horse and carriage rides, live musical performances, carolers, holiday crafts and other children's activities, a themed scavenger hunt, giveaways and much more.

The Playhouse District's Merry Merry Movie & Winter Wonderland will feature the film "Elf" (2003, PG) Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. at the Laemmle Playhouse 7 followed by holiday craft-making, sweet treats and a visit from Santa at Vroman's Bookstore. Please note the film will be available to the maximum capacity of 250 people on a first-come, first-served basis.

Teens and adults are invited to create artistic gift tags using mixed media Saturday, Dec. 3, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library. All materials will be provided. Call 626-744-7264 to sign up.

The Open Studios Tour Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. will feature 50 artists at 24 locations where you'll experience an intimate view into the artists' lives and studios and learn how their creative ideas are conceived and developed, plus you'll enjoy live music, poetry and much more. Artist specialties include painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, mixed media, assemblage and more.

The Christmas tree-lighting celebration in the courtyard at the Pasadena Playhouse will feature musical performances by cast members of the upcoming production of "Cinderella Christmas" as well as the Bob Baker Marionettes plus caroling, sweet treats and more Sunday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday Musicale presents a recital featuring Milhaud's Clarinet, Bass and Piano Trio; Schuman's Piano Quintet for Strings; and a holiday sing along Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 12:30 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.

Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum is Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. when children will celebrate winter traditions from around the world, participate in ice experiments, make their own apple cider mix and much more.

Preschool-aged children are invited to Sunny Tales: Holiday Cheer Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Finnish Folk Art Museum on the grounds of the Pasadena Museum of History. After the stories each child will create a fun holiday-themed craft to take home.

Pianist David Troy Francis and soprano Anita Protich will perform Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

"The Man Who Came to Dinner" (1942, NR) starring Bette Davis and Monty Woolley will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. When a self-centered radio personality slips on the ice outside the home of a prominent family, they must put up with his whims, tantrums and eccentric guests until he recovers from his injury

"The Apartment" (1960, NR) starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine will be shown Friday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. An office worker who wants to move up the corporate ladder lets company executives use his apartment for romantic trysts, but then complications ensue. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

The Christmas tree lighting event at La Pintoresca Park and La Pintoresca Branch Library will include crafts, caroling, refreshments and more Friday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m.

The Atacama Large Millimeter telescope Array (ALMA) in Chile consists of 66 linked high-frequency radio telescopes that provide views of the skies never before seen and at a higher resolution than even the Hubble Space Telescope, Learn more about ALMA Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. in Caltech's Baxter Hall (#77 on this map) and then enjoy stargazing through powerful telescopes.

Photo credits: Los Angeles Quickies, South Lake Business Association, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Me and My Big Ideas, Christmas Decorations, Wallpaper Cave, Kidspace Children's Museum, Erin Denney, Asheville Citizen-Times, Anita Protich, Warner Bros., Mirisch Corp., Shutterstock, National Radio Astronomy Observatory