Old Pasadena’s historic Colorado Boulevard glitters for the holidays — a towering tree at One Colorado, sparkling district lights, snowflake projections on historic buildings, and decorated storefronts, all free to walk. Confirm this season’s tree-lighting date at oldpasadena.org.
Old Pasadena Holidays bring the city’s beautifully preserved historic shopping and dining district to life for the season. The centerpiece is a towering Christmas tree in the Courtyard at One Colorado (recent seasons have featured a 35-foot fir) — lit at a free kickoff ceremony with Santa arriving in style.
Throughout the holidays, Colorado Boulevard and the surrounding Old Pasadena blocks are draped with sparkling lights, decorated storefronts, holiday window displays, and seasonal music. The Old Pasadena BID’s programming has included snowflake projections on historic buildings and special weekend events through December.
The district’s Park & Walk garages charge just $1 for the first 2 hours — a long-stable Old Pasadena civic-parking rate that makes the district one of the easier holiday evenings to plan in the region. Confirm this season’s confirmed tree-lighting date and program at oldpasadena.org.
Yes — the tree lighting, holiday lights throughout the district, snowflake projections, and walking the decorated streets are all free. Only parking, food, drinks, and any shopping cost extra.
The 35-foot One Colorado Christmas tree is in the Courtyard at One Colorado in the heart of Old Pasadena, near the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue.
The Old Pasadena tree-lighting kickoff is held in late November or early December each year (the exact date is announced in the fall). Santa arrives to light the tree at One Colorado.
The Park & Walk garages at $1 for the first 2 hours are a long-stable district rate. The One Colorado parking garage and municipal lots are convenient too. Metered street parking is scattered through Old Pasadena.
Very — Old Pasadena is walkable, well-lit, and full of family-friendly shops, restaurants, and the big tree. Strollers welcome. Pair with the Pasadena Mayor’s Tree Lighting at City Hall a few blocks east for a kid-craft-friendly civic event.
Old Pasadena is the city’s historic commercial core, a roughly 22-block district centered on Colorado Boulevard between Pasadena Avenue and Arroyo Parkway. Its late-19th- and early-20th-century brick storefronts were designated a local historic district in 1980 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, saved from demolition by a grassroots preservation movement. Today the district anchors Pasadena’s shopping, dining, and nightlife, with One Colorado occupying a restored block at its center.
Pasadena’s Mayor lights the city’s official Christmas tree at the historic City Hall plaza on a Friday in early December — a free family evening of live performance, kids’ crafts, and Santa.
Brian J. Cook
South Pasadena’s tree and menorah lighting opens the season on the Mission Street Farmers’ Market block — student musicians and dancers, a community menorah, and a tree lit by the Mayor in the heart of the city’s walkable downtown.
Brian J. Cook
A multi-decade San Marino tradition — towering Italian stone pines along St. Albans Road wrapped in white lights, lit nightly through December, free to walk or drive.
Brian J. Cook
San Marino’s civic tree lighting at the Huntington Drive / San Marino Avenue corner — a small Mayor’s Reception evening with photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate, holiday cookies, and a kid’s craft table.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
Check Availability
Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.
