CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES IN AZUSA
Even though you probably won’t see snow on the ground, you can discover plenty of holiday cheer in Azusa and the surrounding area. You’ll find parades, light displays, Santa visits, and so much more! So grab a cup of cocoa and keep reading to learn about all the holiday activities in Azusa and close by that you can enjoy this year!
Activities
Shows and Performances
Opportunities to Share
Safe Celebration
Activities
Have Breakfast with Santa
If you have ever wanted to dine with Santa Claus, now is your chance! This year, the City of Duarte is hosting Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 3, from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $5 for anyone over 10 and $3 for children under 10. Bring your family for a jolly morning with old Saint Nick!
Hone Your DIY Crafting Skills
Do you like to spend time making holiday decorations? The Azusa Public Library hosts crafting classes during the holiday season—either in-person or with grab-and-go kits. Previous years’ grab-and-go crafts for kids included a letter to Santa, a holiday ornament, and a polar bear craft. For adults, it was a DIY holiday ornament. Watch the city’s newsletter for details about the upcoming crafting events.
Attend the Festival of Lights and Holiday Concert
This year, the City of Azusa will put on a festival of lights and holiday concert, which will include live music from a mariachi band, photos with Santa, a toy giveaway, a light exchange, and—as always—the annual tree-lighting ceremony! The festival will take place on December 10 at the Azusa City Hall front lawn, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with the tree lighting beginning at 5:30. Be sure to watch the city’s Facebook page for details and updates.
Mail Letters to Santa
Don’t forget to make sure your Christmas wish lists make their way to the North Pole! From November 27 to December 15, Santa’s Mailbox will be available in the Duarte City Hall courtyard, where you can sign, seal, and deliver a letter to Santa Claus. Take your kids to celebrate this classic holiday tradition you don’t want to miss out on.
Go Ice Skating at the Fountain
Just because it doesn’t freeze in Southern California doesn’t mean you can’t go ice skating outdoors! From Friday, November 25, to Sunday, November 27, at Library Park in Monrovia, ice skating will be available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $8 per person for a 20-minute session, and skates are included. It is open to all ages, so bring your family and friends for a fun post-Thanksgiving activity!
Decorate Your Yard
Put your holiday decorating skills to the test with this year’s Christmas Yard Decorating Contest in Irwindale. During the first couple of weeks of December, decorate your front yard with lights and your merriest holiday décor, and the judging will take place on December 15.
Shows and Performances
Celebrate with Christmas Music
The holiday season and music go hand in hand. For more than three decades, Azusa Pacific University’s School of Music has hosted a holiday concert for the public: Celebrate Christmas. At this event, more than 400 musicians gather to perform traditional carols and Christmas songs. The popular annual show takes place at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, which can seat 1,000 people. Watch the school’s website for details on the 2022 concert.
Venture Out into the San Gabriel Valley
Azusa isn’t the only city in the San Gabriel Valley teeming with holiday activities. If you’re interested in traveling a little outside city limits, you’ll find even more holiday fun!
Running Festival
Pomona is home to the annual Holiday Running Festival. The event this year happens December 10 and 11, with a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and one-mile Kids Penguin Waddle. All races are at the Fairplex in Pomona.
The running fun starts on Saturday, December 10, with the Holiday 10K at 7 a.m. Next up is the Holiday 5K at 8:30 a.m. The Kids Penguin Waddle starts at 9:30 a.m. The half marathon is scheduled for Sunday, December 11, beginning at 8 a.m. If racers run the 5K and half marathon, they’ll complete the Golden Snowflake Challenge. They’ll finish the Triple Snowflake Challenge by running the 5K, 10K, and half marathon. All challenge winners receive a special medal.
Gingerbread House Decorating
Do you love to decorate gingerbread houses but hate baking the pieces and cleaning up the mess? Then head over to the Gingerbread House Decorating Party at Glendora Public Library! This event happens on Saturday, December 3, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. You can make your own house, take photos with the Gingerbread Man, go on a gingerbread scavenger hunt, and more! The best part? It’s free!
Christmas Parades
Glendora Parade: This year’s parade will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, in The Glendora Village at Bennett. The theme is Old Fashioned Christmas, with the motto “All About Kids.” The event starts with a flyover and will be led by the Glendora Police Department Color Guard. The route goes down Glendora Avenue, then Foothill Boulevard, and finishes on Grand Avenue to Bennett.
Holiday Parade: The annual Holiday Parade is happening in Monrovia! This year’s event starts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 1. The route goes north on Myrtle Avenue from Chestnut Avenue to Palm Avenue. If you are interested in participating in the parade, applications are available here.
Spectacular and Tree Lighting: Irwindale kicks off the holiday season on December 2 with its annual Christmas Spectacular and tree lighting ceremony! After the mayor lights the tree, stay for snow, a play area for kids, Santa, and more.
Opportunities to Share
Receiving gifts is great, but the true meaning of the holiday season is giving to others. If you have the means or the time during this special time of year, consider giving to those less fortunate so they too can feel the joy of this winter season. Here are some great volunteer opportunities in Santa Ana, CA.
Operation Santa Claus: Unfortunately, thousands of children in Orange County won’t be having a very merry Christmas without our help. This holiday season, donate toys and gifts to children and families in need. Last year, Operation Santa Claus distributed over 39,000 toys and gifts, bringing happiness and hope to our most vulnerable children in Orange County who wouldn’t have otherwise had much at all.
Volunteer with The Salvation Army: Whether you like to get out and interact with the community or work behind the scenes, the Salvation Army is the perfect place to volunteer. Dress up as Santa Claus and help collect donations with the jolly ring of your bell. If a red jumpsuit isn’t your style, you could help pick out gifts for kids or be a personal shopper for a family in need.
Safe Celebration
Everyone loves a good pine-scented candle this time of year, but up to 7,500 fires are started each year because of household candles. Be extra careful when lighting candles in your apartment, especially your bedroom. Consider using battery-powered candles to achieve the same ambiance without the added danger. Whatever you do, never leave your holiday candles unattended!
Christmas trees can be another fire hazard you need to be aware of. If you’ve brought a real Christmas tree into your apartment for the holidays, make sure you keep it watered so it doesn’t dry out. Keep all open flames, such as candles, away from the branches, and make sure you turn all lights off when you’re not at home. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!
We’d love to see your holiday fun! If you decorate for the holidays or try out one of the activities above, post a photo on social media, tag us, and use #TisTheSeasonAtAMC.
From all of us at Le Med Apartments in Azusa, CA, Happy Holidays!
Come On In
DAILY
8 AM–5 PM