Things to do in the San Gabriel Valley, Whittier area, Dec. 20-27

Here is a sampling of upcoming things to do in the San Gabriel Valley and Whittier.

Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation’s Parks After Dark Winter Wonderland: Snow play, 4-8 p.m. Dec. 20: William Steinmetz Park (1545 S. Stimson Ave., Hacienda Heights; 626-855-5383); Amigo Park (5700 S. Juarez Ave., Whittier; 562-908-4708); Mayberry Park (13201 E. Meyer Road, Whittier; 562-944-9727). Also, snow play, noon-4 p.m. Dec. 21: Loma Alta Park (3330 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena; 626-398-5451); Rimgrove Park (747 N. Rimgrove Drive, La Puente; 626-964-4535). Snow play, 4-8 p.m. Dec. 21 at these parks: Valleydale (5525 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa; 626-334-1456); Bassett (510 N. Vineland Ave., La Puente; 626-333-0959). Free to attend. Check the website for details on the activities and for more LA County Parks and Recreation parks participating on Dec. 20-21. parks.lacounty.gov/winterpad/

Enchanted – Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens: An interactive walk-through display of lights including an area of stained glass creations. Event is rain or shine through Jan. 5. Purchase of a timed-ticket in advance on the website is required for admission (time frame, 5:30-8:30 p.m.; no tickets sold at the door). Admission $35 and up; $25 ages 2-12 (children under age two are free but must also have a ticket). Tickets are not refundable and cannot be rescheduled. Location, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Details and purchase tickets: www.descansogardens.org/enchanted-tickets

L.A. Zoo Lights – Animals Aglow: The self-guided walking tour returns with a nature-focused display of lantern sculptures and lights through different landscapes including river, alpine and rain forests, runs various dates through Jan. 5. Hours: 6-10 p.m. Rain does not cancel. Tickets $29 and up for ages 13 and older; $18 and up for ages 2-12 (higher admission on “premium” nights; purchasing tickets in advance online is recommended). Also, “Family New Year’s Eve Celebration” (Dec. 31; $95 ages 18 and older; $79 ages 2-17; online purchase only for NYE). Location, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles. www.lazoolights.org

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Noise Within presents a stage version of the classic holiday story, 7 p.m. Dec. 20. Minimum age: 5 and older. Show runs 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 21; 2 p.m. Dec. 22; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23. Tickets $64.50 and up. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 626-356-3100. www.anoisewithin.org

Santa in the Village – Glendora Village: Santa Claus and shopping, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 21 (Glendora Village’s Bus Plaza; glendoravillage.com/events). See the Dec. 2 post: www.facebook.com/GlendoraVillageBID/. Glendora Village is on Glendora Avenue, between Bennett Street and Foothill Boulevard. glendoravillage.com

Tournament of Roses Decorating Places: Preview the Rose Parade floats as they get ready for the 136th annual parade, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 28; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 29; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 30. Admission is by timed entry; $20; free for ages 5 and younger. Admission is sold online only. Two locations: Rosemont Pavilion, 700 Seco St., Pasadena; and Brookside Pavilion, Lot I, south side of Rose Bowl Stadium. tournamentofroses.com. tournamentofroses.com/event/decorating-places. Details and to purchase timed tickets: tinyurl.com/47ar7duv

Pasadena Heritage’s Architectural Legacy Walking Tours: The two-hour tours include “Historic Churches of Pasadena” and “Hillcrest Neighborhood” on Dec. 28. Tour hours: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets $25. Reservations on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/mryjf875. 626-441-6333. www.pasadenaheritage.org. www.pasadenaheritage.org/events-and-tours

Norton Simon Museum: New exhibit “Mariana: Velázquez’s Portrait of a Queen from the Museo Nacional del Prado” through March 24. Ongoing exhibits: “Look Alive! A Still-Life Comparison,” through Jan. 13. “Plugged In: Art and Electric Light,” through Feb. 17. Hours: noon-5 p.m. Thursday; noon-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday-Monday. Admission $20; $15 seniors; free for students with ID and ages 18 and younger. Location, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840. nortonsimon.org

Ongoing events

Sturt Haaga Gallery of Descanso Gardens: “Days of Reverie” is an exhibition by artists Catherine Ruane, Debbie Korbel, Jason Jenn, and Jill Sykes. The exhibit runs through Jan. 26.  Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. For more information, descansogardens.org

John Rowland Mansion: The historic home is open for showings at noon and 1 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month. Park at the Hacienda La Puente School District lot. Location, 16021 Gale Ave., City of Industry. 909-241-7961. lpvhistoricalsociety.org

Friends of the Pasadena Public Library Bookstore: Stock up on used books, DVDs, CDs, LPs and lots of children’s books. Store hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday. Proceeds from sales help fund library programs. The bookstore is at the Jefferson Elementary School campus, 1500 E. Villa Ave., between Hill and Allen avenues, Pasadena. For more information, email Adrienne at phrogg8@gmail.com.

The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens: Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday (closed on Tuesday). Reservations required on Friday-Sunday. Admission is by timed entry (no walk-ins): $29; $24 ages 65 and older and students ages 12-18 with ID; $13 ages 4-11. Location, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. huntington.org

Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden: Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (last entry is 4:30 p.m.). Admission $15; $11 ages 62 and older and students with ID; $5 ages 5-12. Admission may be purchased online. Location, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 626-821-3222. arboretum.org/visit/hours-and-admission. arboretum.org

USC Pacific Asia Museum: Ongoing special exhibit: “Cai Guo-Qiang: A Material Odyssey,” is based on the artist’s gunpowder painting and drawings, through the lens of scientific research conducted by Getty, through June 15, 2025. The exhibition fills most of the USC PAM galleries with a selection of the artist’s work, as well as scientific imagery that explores the nature of gunpowder, its influence on his work, and how his process has evolved through the last four decades. Museum hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Timed tickets for the special exhibit are required; some walk-up admission may be available: (pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/exhibitions/cai-guo-qiang-a-material-odyssey/). Admission $20; $15 ages 65 and older and students with ID; free for ages 17 and younger. Location, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. 626-787-2380. pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu

Armory Center for the Arts: See contemporary art exhibitions and learn about community-based art education. Gallery hours: 2-6 p.m. Friday, and 1-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free admission. Location, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. For more information, 626-792-5101. armoryarts.org

Altadena Neighborhood Farmers Market: The nonprofit Raw Inspiration offers the market as a way for children to learn the value of organic gardening and healthy eating. Winter hours: 3-7 p.m. Fridays. Free admission. Location, 587 W. Palm Drive, Altadena.  For more information, email info@rawinspiration.org. rawinspiration.org. rawinspiration.org/locations/

Farmers Market at Mt. SAC: Hours, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays. Mt. San Antonio College, parking Lot B, 1100 N. Grand Ave., Walnut. For more information, 909-869-0701. www.rccsgv.com/farmers-market/

Monrovia Historical Museum: Discover Monrovia’s amazing history. Docent-led tours are available. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday. Closed on Dec. 26 (tinyurl.com/3kkw2xux). Free admission. Location, 742 E. Lemon Ave. For more information, 626-357-9537. monroviahistoricalmuseum.org

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