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.