Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events December 29 to January 4

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 29, to Friday, Jan. 4.

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 open-air festival Saturday, Dec. 29, to Monday, Dec. 31, on Green Street between Marengo and Euclid will include live entertainment, celebrity chefs, family-friendly activities, a pavilion that celebrates all things Tournament of Roses, and much more. 

The documentary film Hawking (2014, NR) will be shown Wednesday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. The film tracks the physicist's life, told largely in his own words.

Puzzle (2018, R) starring Kelly Macdonald and Irrfan Khan will be shown Friday, Jan. 4, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A woman keeps her passion for solving jigsaw puzzles from her family and plans a trip to a jigsaw competition in New York City.

Admission to the Norton Simon Museum is free the first Friday of every month. On Friday, Jan. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibition Once Upon a Tapestry: Woven Tales of Helen and Dido and everything else the museum has to offer.

SAVE THE DATE!

Children ages 6 and older will learn how to use woodworking tools safely and design and build a woodworking project in the SideStreet Woodworking Bus during a five-week workshop Thursdays, Jan. 8 to 29 and Feb. 5, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library. Call (626) 744-7268 to sign up.

Photo credits: Pasadena Convention and Visitors Bureau, PBS, Big Beach Films, Norton Simon Museum

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events Dec. 22 to 28

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 22, to Friday, Dec. 28.

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

Family members of all ages are invited to a reading of How the Candy Cane Got Its Stripes by Scott Casperson, then create special ornaments to take home Saturday, Dec. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Linda Vista Branch Library.

Soprano Anita Protich will perform Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

Christmas Princess (2017, NR) starring Nicole Muñoz and Rosa Blasi will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A teenage girl with a troubled past rises to become one of the members of the elite Royal Court at the Rose Parade. The film is inspired by true events.

A Kwanzaa event Thursday, 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.

Teens are invited to a fun Winter Wonderland evening Thursday, Dec. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Central Library's Teen Central and Studio on 4th. Watch The Polar Express or Rise of the Guardians while making snow globes, wreaths, ugly sweaters and a gingerbread city. If crafts aren't your thing, there will also be board games and video games.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018, PG-13) starring Constance Wu and Henry Golding will be shown Friday, Dec. 28, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. An Asian American New Yorker is apprehensive about meeting her boyfriend's family and friends when she accompanies him to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you do have to be 50 or older.

SAVE THE DATE!

The annual Live on Green open-air festival Saturday, Dec. 29, to Monday, Dec. 31, on Green Street between Marengo and Euclid will include live entertainment, celebrity chefs, a pavilion that celebrates all things Tournament of Roses, family-friendly activities and much more. 

Photo credits: Scott Casperson, DHGate, Geoffrey Philp, City of Sunny Isles Beach, Warner Bros.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events December 15 to 21

Here are free Pasadena events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 15, to Friday, Dec. 21.

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

The Hollow Trees will perform a family-friendly concert Saturday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. 

See the ideas, concepts and projects created by the next generation of artists and designers at Art Center College of Design's exhibition featuring the works of fall 2018 graduates Saturday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pasadena Convention Center. The grads will be there to chat it up with visitors about their stellar works and their plans for the future.

Holiday activities at Mercantile Place Saturday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. will include face painting, photo opps with some merry elves, Buster Balloon and his festive creations, and more.

The silent science fiction film Woman in the Moon (1929, NR) starring Klaus Pohl and Willy Fritch (directed Fritz Lang) will be shown Saturday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. In hopes of plundering the moon's vast, untapped gold reserves, a cartel of industrialists covertly finances a space mission to the far side of the moon where the astronauts find themselves stranded in a lunar labyrinth where emotions run wild and the new goal simply becomes survival. English subtitles are included on the occasional intertitle screens.

The Pasadena Girls Choir will perform holiday favorites Saturday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

Looking for a Messiah sing-along? Join hundreds of people Saturday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at Lake Avenue Church where you'll sing George Frederic Handel's iconic, much loved choral work, accompanied by a 35-member orchestra and soloists.

The Pasadena Symphony and Pops presents a holiday-inspired Random Acts of Music Sunday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas will perform holiday favorites and other tunes Sunday, Dec. 16, at 4 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

The Screening Mimis Film Discussion Club presents The Red Violin (1998, R) starring Carlo Cecchi and Samuel L. Jackson Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 1:30 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A perfect, red-colored violin inspires everyone who plays it and hears it, makes its way through three centuries, several owners and many countries, and eventually ends up at an auction where it may find a new owner. You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you must be 50 or older.

When "cello" is combined with "celestial," the result is Cellestial, an ensemble of cello students and music teachers. Cellestial will perform music guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 3:30 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. You don't have to be a member to attend but you do have to be 50 or older.

Mezzo soprano Suzanna Guzmán will perform Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. for the popular Music at Noon recital series at Pasadena Presbyterian Church.

Remember the Night (1940, NR) starring Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. At Christmastime, a shoplifter from a troubled background is caught in the act and the judge postpones the case until after the new year, causing her to spend the season in jail with a special furlough for Christmas. After her family rejects her, the prosecutor assigned to the case takes her with him to Christmas at his mother's home before she has to face the music at trial.

Children ages 7 to 12 are invited to create holiday jewelry for themselves or as gifts Wednesday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Villa-Parke Branch Library. All materials will be provided. Call (626) 744-6510 to sign up.

The Night They Saved Christmas (1984, NR) starring Jaclyn Smith and Art Carney will be shown Friday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A woman and her three children help Santa save his workshop at the North Pole from being destroyed due by nearby oil drilling. You don't have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you do have to be 50 or older.

The Donavan/Muradian Quintet (DMQ) will perform straight-edge jazz to close out the Playhouse District Holiday Concert Series Friday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard adjacent to Vroman's Book Store. Complimentary coffee will be provided..

Photo credits: The Hollow Trees, Art Center College of Design, Fun for Christmas, Eurekatainment, Pasadena Girls Choir, Scannappeal, Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas, Stanford University, Christian Headlines, FanFaire Foundation, Turner Classic Movies, HeartfeltParty, American Broadcasting Company (ABC), DMQ.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events Dec. 8 to 14

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 8, to Friday, Dec. 14.

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

Bring your pooches to Old Pasadena Yappy Holidays Saturday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Big Bang Theory Way (near 93 E. Green St.). You and your pups will enjoy live holiday music by the Holly Street Stompers, free Yappy Hour bandanas (while supplies last), tasty samples from The Dog Bakery, a meet-up with local Instagram doggy celebrities, and more. Be sure to snap photos of your dogs on the green carpet. Doggies are encouraged to dress in their holiday finest. This event is for leashed dogs only; no other types of animals will be allowed.

Children will write letters to Santa and make holiday crafts Sunday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Book Store in the Playhouse District. Stationery and craft supplies will be provided, and the letters will be mailed from the store. Book purchases are not required to participate.

The second Sunday of every month is Free Admission Day at the USC Pacific Asia Museum. On Sunday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. explore the role of clothing throughout history and learn about the beautiful garments of Asian culture. Textile experts will explain the history of traditional garments from different countries and demonstrate the proper context and wearing of hanbok, kimono and sari. You'll also enjoy artmaking activities, storytime for kids and docent tours of the museum.

The Pasadena Symphony and Pops presents Random Acts of Music Sunday, Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

Celebrate the season at a holiday open house at the Pasadena Museum of History Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. with festive live music, refreshments, family crafts and free entry to the current exhibition Something Revealed: California Women Artists Emerge, 1860-1960 and the Finnish Folk Art Museum. Be sure to peek into the Fenyes Mansion adorned with touches of Edwardian-style holiday decor.

Help decorate the Christmas tree at the Pasadena Senior Center while listening to music of the season Monday, Dec. 10, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. There will be free hot chocolate, coffee and festive treats. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you do have to be 50 or older.

Mephisto (1981, NR) starring Klaus Maria Brandauer and Krystyna Janda will be shown Monday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. There also will be a discussion about the film, characters  and more. In this update of the Faustian legend, a stage actor in pre-World War II Hungary yearns for more innovative material and sells his soul, not to the devil but to the Nazis, in a desperate attempt to find commercial success. Hungarian with English subtitles. 

Teens are invited to watch all the classic Pokeman anime while making a Pokeman ornament to kick off the holiday season Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Santa Catalina Branch Library.

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater presents the Bob Baker Holiday Spectacular Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

The Gift of Love: A Christmas Story (1983, NR) starring Lee Remick and Angela Lansbury will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. A woman who has recently lost her beloved mother, the family business and perhaps even her husband dreams about Christmas in Vermont, where she was born and raised, then searches for what really matters in life.

Children ages 4 to 12 will learn about classic architecture and design their own versions of an ancient temple Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Central Library's Studio on 4th (fourth floor). Call (626) 744-4066, option 4 to sign up.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, PG) with the voice talents of Chris Sarandon and Catherine O'Hara will be shown Thursday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King is bored with the same old scare-and-scream routine and longs to spread the joy of Christmas, but his merry mission puts Santa in jeopardy and creates a nightmare for good little boys and girls everywhere. There will be special snacks as well as photo opps with a life-size Jack Skellington and his ghost dog Zero.

Monday@JoJo's will sing holiday favorites a cappella Thursday, Dec. 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado.

The Preacher's Wife (1996, PG) starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston will be shown Friday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. As a preacher's struggles to keep his church afloat during hard economic times begin to take a toll on his marriage, an angel is sent to help him out. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you do have to be 50 or older.

Kira and the Major 3 will perform merry, jazzy music Friday, Dec. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard at the Pasadena Playhouse. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided. Holiday concerts in the Playhouse District will continue Friday evenings until Dec. 21.

Photo credits: Fetch Photography, Little Suburban Newspapers, Nerd Nomads, City of Arcadia, Bows & Sequins, Mafilm, Psypoke, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Amanda Productions, Smart History, Touchstone Pictures, monday@jojo's, Mundy Lane Entertainment, Kira and the Major 3.

Looking for Something to Do? Free Pasadena Events December 1 to 7

Here are events scheduled Saturday, Dec. 1, to Friday, Dec. 7.

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

Bring the kids for Nature Tails Storybook Time featuring books about animals and nature Saturday, Dec. 1, at 10:30 a.m. in the Children's Corner inside the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. Nature Tails are scheduled every Saturday morning.

Children ages 5 to 12 will create their own snowmen during a special craft workshop Saturday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. at Villa-Parke Branch Library. All materials will be provided. Call (626) 744-6510 to sign your child up.

Celebrate the holiday season by making your own wreath Saturday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to noon at Santa Catalina Branch Library. All materials will be provided.

Vroman's Book Store presents Winter Wonderland Saturday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. with special treats for children, crafts and free photos with Santa. Book purchases are not required to attend.

Holidayfest on South Lake Avenue Saturday, Dec. 1, from noon to 5 p.m. will feature Santa's Village, carolers, children's holiday crafts, roaming holiday characters in costume, a scavenger hunt and more.

Holiday activities at Mercantile Place Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. will include face painting, photos opps with some merry elves, Buster Balloon and his festive creations, and more. Activities will continue every Saturday through Dec. 15. Mercantile Place is a pedestrian walkway one block south of Colorado Boulevard between Raymond and Fair Oaks.

The Holiday Karaoke Kickoff at One Colorado is Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. It will be the children's turn at 6 p.m., and adults will take over the mic at 7 p.m., all accompanied by a live band. The song repertoire will include holiday tunes and rock-and-roll favorites. The celebration will also include free cookies, cupcakes and hot chocolate, a family photo booth and photo opps with Santa.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946, NR) starring James Stewart and Donna Reed will be shown Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in Caltech's Beckman Auditorium (#91 on this map) in celebration of director Frank Capra's graduation from Caltech in 1918. There will also be a discussion about Capra's time at the institute. While the event is free, reservations are required. Parking in Caltech lots and parking structures is free on weekends.

Children will learn about Hanukkah during a special holiday storytime Sunday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. at Vroman's Book Store, then they will decorate dreidel-shaped cookies. Book purchases are not required to attend.

Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to read books to gentle, well-trained dogs at Barks and Books Monday, Dec. 3, at 1 p.m. at San Rafael Branch Library and 3 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library.

Infants and toddlers up to age 5 will enjoy a fun, rhythmic morning with music, dance and stories Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.

Adults will create their own holiday cards using pastels Tuesday, Dec. 4, Wednesday, Dec. 5 and Thursday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Sunroom at Central Library. Instructor Ed Faubert will provide instructions, supplies and samples.

The Screening Mimis Film Discussion Club for adults presents I Walked with a Zombie (1943, NR) starring Frances Dee and Tom Conway Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 1:30 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. A nurse travels to a sugar plantation on a Caribbean island to care for a seemingly comatose woman, then decides to take her patient to a native voodoo practicioner. The Screening Mimis Film Discussion Group features a provocative movie the first and third Tuesday of every month, preceded by a presentation about the film's hidden history and followed by a lively discussion. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you do have to be 50 or older.

The first Tuesday of every month is Free Family Night at Kidspace Children's Museum. On Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. explore winter traditions and holidays from around the world. Make a dreidel, participate in Las Posadas and get ready to decorate for the holidays. Luce Puppet Company will present Wacky Winter Adventure at 6 p.m. in the Stone Hollow Amphitheater.

Bush Christmas (1947, NR) starring Chips Rafferty and John Fernside will be shown Wednesday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. On school break during the Christmas holidays, five Australian children boast about one of the father's mares to a group of (unbeknownst to them) horse thieves, then secretly set out to track down the rustlers to get the mare and her foal back, relying on Aboriginal survival skills. This film is a traditional favorite on Australian TV during the holidays. A Tom and Jerry cartoon will be shown as well.

The holiday celebration and Christmas tree lighting Thursday, Dec. 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Hastings Branch Library will feature musical performances and plenty of festive activities.

People of all ages are invited to decorate holiday candles Thursday, Dec. 6, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Hill Avenue Branch Library. All materials will be provided.

The Children Act (2018, R) starring Emma Thompson and Stanley Tucci will be shown Friday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. With her marriage at a breaking point, a judge must decide the case of a 17-year-old boy who refuses a life-saving blood transfusion on religious grounds. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend but you do have to be 50 or older.

The popular, crowd-pleasing Mayor's Christmas Tree-lighting celebration at Pasadena City Hall Friday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. will feature carolers, dancers, holiday crafts for kids, refreshments and a visit from Santa. At 6 p.m. Mayor Terry Tornek will flip the switch that lights the huge Christmas tree.

The first Friday of every month is Free Admission Day at the Norton Simon Museum. On Friday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the current exhibition In Search of New Markets: Craft Traditions in Nineteenth Century India and everything else the museum has to offer.

The Little Brazil Trio will blend their signature Brazilian jazz flavors with holiday classics Friday, Dec. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard next to Vroman's Book Store. Complimentary coffee will be served. Holiday concerts in the Playhouse District will continue Friday evenings until Dec. 21.

Photo credits: Child's Play International, Feiwel & Friends, Sleeping Bear Press, LadyOMatic, Radoze Home Designs Gallery, South Lake Business Association, Town of Newmarket, Rubrick Datos IO, AllEvents, Liberty Films, Foodista, Los Angeles Times, RKO Radio Pictures, 123RF, Vix, Mrs. C, GB Instructional Films,  Zack Stromberg, Norton Simon Museum, Little Brazil Trio.