15 free enjoyable issues to do in December in Southern California – Orange County Register

Ho ho ho. It’s time for the vacations. So there are many festive issues to do in December. But there are additionally different issues to do, simply in case you’ve had a bit too many sugar plums this yr. Here’s our listing of each:

Dec. 1 — Riverside: Enjoy a Monday carillon recital at UC Riverside from midday till 1 p.m. on the campus bell tower. Use this hyperlink and enter your automobile license plate quantity 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 month-to-month Artswalk, the place you possibly can get pleasure from entry to greater than 20 artwork galleries, studios and museums and luxuriate in artisan distributors and performers. 6-9 p.m. within the space surrounding Main Street between fifth and tenth streets. This month, there will likely be a second Artswalk on Dec. 18. riversideartscouncil.com/about-artswalk

Dec. 5 — Costa Mesa: Public Telescope Star Party on the Orange Coast College Planetarium. Planetarium workers and OCC Astronomy school will information stargazers by the cosmos, to witness the fantastic thing about the universe. 8:15 to 9:15 p.m., climate allowing. Check the calendar for last-minute updates. occtickets.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=5101

Dec. 5 — Pasadena: If you’ve by no means been to the beautiful Pasadena City Hall, that is price it simply to see the place. The mayor’s annual tree lighting, with reside music and a go to from Santa, will happen there 5-7 p.m.Pasadena Fire Department may also be amassing 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 movie “Elf” throughout the Holiday Movie Night outside at Ivy Station. The garden opens at 4:30 p.m. and the film begins at 5:30 p.m. Bring blankets and garden chairs. Pre-show vacation 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 vacation photograph with Santa, and are available residence with a Polaroid-style immediate photograph. Holiday outfits inspired. September 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 yr’s Hometown Holiday Parade & Faire, from 1:30 to six p.m. There will likely be a parade, reside reindeer to pet, photograph alternatives with Santa, video games, crafts, face portray, meals distributors, a youngsters stage and reside 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 concerning the Botany of the Holidays. Hear botanical tales of vacation traditions from all over the world.  All ages. meet on the La Kretz Garden Pavilion on the northern finish of the backyard. From midday till 2 p.m. Arrive early. Note that there’s no on-site parking. There’s paid parking in UCLA Parking Structure 2 close to the Westholme Avenue entrance to campus, or at metered road 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 vegetation? Then take a look at the High Desert Plant Celebration & Giveaway. Learn about native vegetation and animals, do enjoyable actions and luxuriate in free vegetation. Live music by Sage Against the Machine. It’s from 10 a.m. to three 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 at all times free (and so is parking). And on Dec. 7, there’s a Latino Comics Expo from 11 a.m. to five p.m. with comedian artists and animators, specialists and followers. 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 excursions by the historic Pullman Sleeping Cars and Santa Fe Motorcar. Various instances from 10:30 a.m. to three p.m. 5200 Zoo Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. traveltown.org/visit/calendar/

Dec. 13  — Pasadena: The historic Pasadena Playhouse is opening up its doorways for a vacation open home from 2 to five p.m. The complete theater will likely be reworked for the vacations, with performances, craft-making, sing-alongs, behind-the-scenes appears to be like and household photograph alternatives below the Christmas tree. RSVP on-line. pasadenaplayhouse.org/event/jingle-mingle/

Dec. 13 — Chatsworth: Tom Foster and Taro Wayama current a mixture of classical and up to date guitar music at 2 p.m. on the Chatsworth Library. The newest program features a vary of types, together with 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 a part of the group since 1930. This 9-night occasion reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem with songs, costumes and music.  There’s a kids’s pinata at 6:30 p.m. for ages 3-12 within the plaza, (canceled if it’s raining) then the procession begins at 7:15 p.m. in entrance of the Avila Adobe. Angels lead the procession by candelight, with musicians and conventional Christmas songs. 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles.  olveraevents.com/olvera-street-las-posadas

Dec. 20 — North Hollywood: Shake off these vacation energy at 1 p.m. with a vigorous Eighties-style dance class for adults with Ashley Maimes. No expertise required. Wear closed-toed footwear and garments you possibly can dance in. It’s on the North Hollywood Amelia Earhart Library, 5211 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood lapl.org/whats-on/events/la-made-presents-1980s-style-era-dance-class