Exploring Holiday Events Around San Gabriel Valley!

I wanted to show you guys some unique holiday events I attended around the San Gabriel Valley throughout the months of November and December. I had such such a fun time at all of them and I love seeing different cities come alive with these types of events!

Disclaimer: I apologize if some of the photos are blurry, it’s always hard to shoot Christmas lights!

The Paseo Mall: Pasadena

These were a few shots I got around The Paseo mall at dusk on Thanksgiving facing the San Gabriel Mountains and at night. You can also see the snowflake lights on the Civic Auditorium!

Old Pasadena

These were also some fun and festive shots I got walking around Old Pasadena. I love the Christmas trees, reindeer light displays and pop-up Christmas shops!

Pasadena Tree Lighting Ceremony: Pasadena City Hall

This was the first tree lighting ceremony I have ever attended for a city event! It was short and sweet with Mayor Victor Gordo lighting the tree along with a children’s dance group and a child singer. Other city council members, employees and the fire chief were also introduced.

You can check out the full video of the Christmas tree being lit and the performances Instagram page under the “Pasadena” highlight!

South Pasadena

I didn’t have time to get the South Pasadena Christmas tree lit up at night (the lights on other photos I saw were pretty dim), but the Chanukah lights were lit! It was a pretty neat display!

Christmas Tree Lane: Altadena

Altadena claims to have the oldest Christmas Tree Lane in the U.S.! The lane, which runs along Santa Rosa Ave. between Altadena Dr. and Woodbury Dr., was first lit in 1920 and is a volunteer-run organization. There are hundreds of 100-year-0ld cedar trees decorated with more than 10,000 string lights and it is spectacular to see! It is also registered with the National Register of Historic Places and is a California State Landmark.

You can check out the full video of me walking the lit street making its way on my Instagram page under the “Altadena” highlight!

There was also a a Model Train Display house with a lit path way with tons of neat Christmas props and of course, small model trains choo-choo’ing on the tracks! You can check out the full video of the train making its way on my Instagram page under the “Altadena” highlight!

Christmas Tree Lane: San Marino

San Marino is a small, quaint community tucked away south of Pasadena and east of South Pasadena. This Christmas Tree Lane is very short on St. Albans Road between Huntington Drive and Monterey Road with pine and cedar trees decorated along with a few houses.

You can check out the full video of the lit street on my Instagram page under the “San Marino” highlight!

Upper Hastings Ranch: Pasadena/Sierra Madre

Upper Hastings Ranch is off of Hastings Ranch Road and Sierra Madre Blvd and was the first part of San Gabriel Valley where the houses were decked out in Christmas lights! The website claims that the yearly tradition began in 1951 and each street surrounding the area has a designated theme, such as Santa, Ornament, Peace Dove, Christmas Tree, Reindeer, Gingerbread Man, Snowman, Snowflake and more!

You can check out the full video of me driving some streets with decked out houses on my Instagram page under the “Sierra Madre” highlight!

Lightscape at the Arboretum: Arcadia

As far as I know, this is the first time The Arboretum has ever hosted a light display. Lightscape ($32) originated from London with hundreds of light installations along with art and music from different holiday movies such as “Home Alone” and “Batman Returns”!

This experience took my friends and I an hour to walk through and was so worth the money, OMG I had such a fun time and it was incredibly amazing. This is a must see! You can check out the various videos of me walking the trails and the full light show at the end of the journey on my Instagram page under the “Arcadia” highlight!

The Immersive Nutcracker Experience: Westfield Santa Anita, Arcadia

This art experience ($44 – $49 for an adult depending on the time) was created by the producers who brought the Van Gogh Immersive Experience to life! I was browsing stores for holiday gifts when I came across the exhibition and I thought, why not?

I entered a Christmas tree tunnel and had the attendee take a photo of myself. I was then told to sit down in a somewhat dark room and put on goggles to experience the 10 minute virtual reality. It consisted of various Tchaikovsky music selections from The Nutcracker musical (e.g., “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” “March of the Toys”). I was able to move my head around so I could see all angles of the experience!

I was then lead into the projection room filled with more Tchaikovsky music and video imagery. There were also white benches to sit down on and white Christmas trees. You can check out the full video of the room on my Instagram page under the “Arcadia” highlight!

Overall, it was a fun, cute and enjoyable experience, but I don’t think it was worth $44. I was in and out in less than 30 minutes. Maybe $24 would have been more reasonable? Nonetheless, if you have kids, they will love it! They are at the Beverly Center, Santa Anita, Topanga and Valencia Westfield Mall locations.

Events Missed

Some events I didn’t get to experience were Enchanted at Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge, (I went to Lightscape instead), Castle Green in Pasadena (it was still closed to the public due to COVID-19), Reindeer Road at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia (where you drive the horse race track) and Santa’s Speedway at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale (where you drive the race course). Hopefully in the coming years!