Ho ho ho. It’s time for the holidays. So there are lots of festive things to do in December. But there are also other things to do, just in case you’ve had a little too many sugar plums this year. Here’s our list of both:
Dec. 1 — Riverside: Enjoy a Monday carillon recital at UC Riverside from noon until 1 p.m. at the campus bell tower. Use this link and enter your car license plate number to get free parking: offstreet.io/location/HC5K91GV. Location: 900 University Ave. Lot 1, Riverside. events.ucr.edu/event/monday-carillon-recitals-2025-2026
Dec. 4 — Riverside: It’s the monthly Artswalk, where you can enjoy entry to more than 20 art galleries, studios and museums and enjoy artisan vendors and performers. 6-9 p.m. in the area surrounding Main Street between 5th and 10th streets. This month, there will be a second Artswalk on Dec. 18. riversideartscouncil.com/about-artswalk
Dec. 5 — Costa Mesa: Public Telescope Star Party at the Orange Coast College Planetarium. Planetarium staff and OCC Astronomy faculty will guide stargazers through the cosmos, to witness the beauty of the universe. 8:15 to 9:15 p.m., weather permitting. Check the calendar for last-minute updates. occtickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=5101
Dec. 5 — Pasadena: If you’ve never been to the gorgeous Pasadena City Hall, this is worth it just to see the place. The mayor’s annual tree lighting, with live music and a visit from Santa, will take place there 5-7 p.m.Pasadena Fire Department will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena. visitpasadena.com/directory/pasadena-city-hall/
Dec. 6 — Culver City: See the beloved 2003 film “Elf” during the Holiday Movie Night outdoors at Ivy Station. The lawn opens at 4:30 p.m. and the movie begins at 5:30 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Pre-show holiday tunes, free popcorn and cocoa. Ivy Station, 8840 National Blvd. Culver City. eventbrite.com/e/holiday-movie-night-elf-tickets-1968883357122
Dec. 6 — Calabasas: Arf. Meow. Bring your pet to the Santa Paws Photo Booth at Wild Walnut Park for a holiday photo with Santa, and come home with a Polaroid-style instant photo. Holiday outfits encouraged. 9-11 a.m. All ages and no registration required. 23050 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/special-events
Dec. 6 — Upland: Head to historic downtown Upland for this year’s Hometown Holiday Parade & Faire, from 1:30 to 6 p.m. There will be a parade, live reindeer to pet, photo opportunities with Santa, games, crafts, face painting, food vendors, a kids stage and live music. 460 N. Euclid Ave., Upland uplandca.gov/winter-festivities
Dec 6 — Westwood: It’s time for the First Saturday Drop-In Botanical Garden Tour at the UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. This month, it’s about the Botany of the Holidays. Hear botanical stories of holiday traditions from around the world. All ages. meet at the La Kretz Garden Pavilion at the northern end of the garden. From noon until 2 p.m. Arrive early. Note that there’s no on-site parking. There’s paid parking in UCLA Parking Structure 2 near the Westholme Avenue entrance to campus, or at metered street parking. UCLA La Kretz Garden Pavilion is at 707 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles. No tickets required. botgard.ucla.edu/garden-tours/
Dec. 7 — Lancaster: Love plants? Then check out the High Desert Plant Celebration & Giveaway. Learn about native plants and animals, do fun activities and enjoy free plants. Live music by Sage Against the Machine. It’s from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s sponsored by the Antelope Valley Audubon Society and the California Native Plant Society. VFW Post 3000, 4342 West Avenue L, Lancaster. No tickets required. eventbrite.com/e/high-desert-plant-celebration-giveaway-tickets-1956594640239
Dec. 7 — Long Beach: Check out the Museum of Latin American Art on Sundays, when it’s always free (and so is parking). And on Dec. 7, there’s a Latino Comics Expo from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with comic artists and animators, experts and fans. 628 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach molaa.org/events/2025/12/07/latinocomicsexpo
Dec. 13. — Los Angeles: Depot Day at Travel Town Train Museum in Griffith Park. Docent-led tours through the historic Pullman Sleeping Cars and Santa Fe Motorcar. Various times from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. 5200 Zoo Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. traveltown.org/visit/calendar/
Dec. 13 — Pasadena: The historic Pasadena Playhouse is opening up its doors for a holiday open house from 2 to 5 p.m. The entire theater will be transformed for the holidays, with performances, craft-making, sing-alongs, behind-the-scenes looks and family photo opportunities under the Christmas tree. RSVP online. pasadenaplayhouse.org/event/jingle-mingle/
Dec. 13 — Chatsworth: Tom Foster and Taro Wayama present a mix of classical and contemporary guitar music at 2 p.m. at the Chatsworth Library. The latest program includes a range of styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, Cuban, jazz and Scottish music. 21052 Devonshire St., Chatsworth lapl.org/whats-on/events/la-made-presents-guitar-concert-taro-wayama
Dec. 16-24 — Los Angeles: Go to historic Olvera Street to attend Las Posadas, which have been part of the community since 1930. This 9-night event reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem with songs, costumes and music. There’s a children’s pinata at 6:30 p.m. for ages 3-12 in the plaza, (canceled if it’s raining) then the procession begins at 7:15 p.m. in front of the Avila Adobe. Angels lead the procession by candelight, with musicians and traditional Christmas songs. 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles. olveraevents.com/olvera-street-las-posadas
Dec. 20 — North Hollywood: Shake off those holiday calories at 1 p.m. with a lively 1980s-style dance class for adults with Ashley Maimes. No experience required. Wear closed-toed shoes and clothes you can dance in. It’s at the North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Library, 5211 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood lapl.org/whats-on/events/la-made-presents-1980s-style-era-dance-class