Pasadena News Column
Looking to get your holiday light fix? Check out these locations:
Holiday Light Spotting in the Neighborhoods:
Christmas Tree Lane
Free, drive or walk
5:30 pm - 12 am
Santa Rosa Avenue, Altadena, CA
Come enjoy the true holiday spirit at one of the oldest Christmas light displays in a tradition going back over a hundred years. The all-volunteer group bedazzles nearly a mile of the street with lights lining all the trees in a beautiful display of community. Be sure to come to the Lighting Ceremony and Winter Festival on December 9 at the Altadena Public Library.
**Harbeck Lights Christmas show **
Free, drive or walk
Opens December 2, nightly 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
1215 Tropical Ave, Pasadena, CA 91107
Come see the house voted Best Lights in Hastings Ranch for their Christmas Light Show featuring over 100,000 channels of RGB color changing pixels! The show is a true Light Show that runs on a 16 minute loop with the lights synced to both classic and new Holiday songs. You can watch and listen to the show from the comfort of your car while tuning the radio to 99.1 FM to watch the lights synced to the music, or enjoy the show closeup on the sidewalk with a front row view.
Upper Hastings Ranch Neighborhood
Free, drive or walk
December 9 - December 31, nightly 6 pm - 10 pm
3725 E Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Come see the whole neighborhood decorated in a festival of lights and driveway displays in a tradition that began in 1951. Drive through the themed streets while listening to your favorite holiday songs.
Tree Lighting
Friday, December 1, 2023
5 pm –7 pm
Pasadena City Hall
Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo will light the Pasadena Christmas tree at 6 pm, so come by bundled up and ready to feel the festive spirit. There will be local singers and dancers, crafts for kids provided by Armory Center for the Arts, and light refreshments.
Snowfall at the Grove
The Americana at Brand, Glendale
10 am - 10 pm
If you happen to be around at 7pm or 8pm, don’t be shocked when snow starts falling down. Enjoy the farmers’ market underneath a towering Christmas tree and lights everywhere you turn, the Grove is the perfect place to get your holiday light fix while window shopping.
Westfield Century City Mall
_10 am - 9 pm, check for specific days _
_10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA _
Enjoy live performances, snowfall, and complimentary gift wrapping at the beautifully decorated Holiday Village at this mall in downtown LA.
Lightscape
> $29 tickets
Now until January 2, 5:30 pm - 10 pm
LA Arboretum, 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
With food trucks and hot chocolate, marvel at the new nature-inspired installations such as a fiery garden, extended arch of light, dancing palms and the famous crystalline cathedral made of light.
Animals Aglow
>$29 tickets
Now until January 7, 6 pm - 10 pm
Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo has set up incredible lantern sculptures of wild animals among plants and trees creating a beautiful, festive walkthrough to celebrate the holidays.
Pasadena Rose Parade
January 1, 8 am - 10 am
If you’re in town on January 1st, be sure to check out the Rose Pasadena, which has occurred nearly every year since 1890. It begins on the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Blvd. in Pasadena. The parade travels north on Orange Grove Blvd., then turns east onto Colorado Blvd., where the majority of the parade viewing takes place and finally ends on Villa St.
Staying over the holidays? Here’s some recommended food places compiled from fellow students! (sorted top to bottom in terms of distance from campus)
Kokoroll Cafe
11 am - 9 am
1299 E Green St Suite 100 Pasadena, 91106
This place has great poke bowls, sushi hand rolls, and acai bowls, and taiyaki- all available just a quick 10 minute walk from campus, the same distance as Afters.
The Hat
Closes 11 pm
491 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Famous for its pastrami, and open decently late, this place hits the spot if you’re looking for a bite to eat while going to see the holiday lights around town.
**Chick in a Box **
_8 am - 8 pm _
950 E Colorado Blvd #101, Pasadena, CA 91106
Come check out this locally owned business featuring Korean corn dogs, Korean street food including generously spicy tteok-bokki, and deliciously flavored fried chicken. Wash it down with their boba or tea. Highly recommended!
New York Chicken & Gyro
_11 am - 10 pm _
961 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91106
Featuring 100% Halal Middle Eastern food, this is a fire recommendation from many students. Be sure to try out their New York style gyros, but they also have platters, burgers, and sides.
Upcoming Events:
PCC Flea Market
December 3 and every first Sunday monthly
_8 am - 3 pm, FREE _
Pasadena City College parking lot
Rose Bowl Flea Market
December 10 and ever second Sunday monthly
_9 am - 3 pm, $12 regular admission _
1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA