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.