Things to do in Pasadena in December

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Overview

December is a good time to visit Pasadena. The weather is usually moderately chilly with a gentle breeze, with temperatures ranging from 45—64°F (7—18°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Pasadena during this time. Some of our top recommendations: attend the Pasadena Heritage Holiday Look-In Home Tour, go ice skating at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center, attend the Old Pasadena Holidayfest and see the annual tree lighting ceremony, and more!

Pasadena has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your December trip to Pasadena. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to December. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Pasadena in December. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout December, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

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Don't take our word for it
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Best events and things to do in Pasadena in December

Top experiences in December
Attend the Pasadena Heritage Holiday Look-In Home Tour
This annual event allows visitors to tour beautifully decorated historic homes in Pasadena, showcasing unique holiday decor and architecture. It's a great way to get inspiration for your own holiday decorating while also supporting a local preservation organization.
Go ice skating at the Pasadena Ice Skating Center
This outdoor ice rink is a popular spot during the holiday season, offering a fun and festive activity for people of all ages. Whether you're a seasoned skater or a beginner, it's a great way to enjoy the winter weather and get into the holiday spirit.
Attend the Old Pasadena Holidayfest and see the annual tree lighting ceremony
This event takes place in the historic Old Pasadena district and features live music, holiday shopping, festive decorations, and of course, the lighting of the Christmas tree. It's a great way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends.
Take a holiday-themed walking tour of the historic neighborhoods in Pasadena
Many of Pasadena's historic neighborhoods are beautifully decorated for the holidays, and taking a walking tour is a great way to admire the festive lights and decorations while learning about the city's history and architecture.
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Take a drive through the festive neighborhoods of Pasadena to see the elaborate holiday light displays
Many neighborhoods in Pasadena go all out with their holiday decorations, creating elaborate light displays that are a joy to behold. Taking a drive to see these displays is a fun and festive way to spend an evening in December.
Take a stroll through the Balian House to see their elaborate Christmas decorations
The Balian House is known for its over-the-top holiday decorations, including thousands of twinkling lights, festive displays, and even visits from Santa Claus. It's a fun and festive way to spend an evening in December.
Visit the Pasadena Playhouse for a holiday-themed theater production
The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic theater that puts on a variety of shows throughout the year, but in December, they often have special holiday-themed productions that are perfect for getting into the festive spirit.
Attend the Pasadena Symphony's Holiday Candlelight concert at the Ambassador Auditorium
This annual event features beautiful music performed by the symphony in a stunning setting, complete with candlelight and holiday decorations. It's a magical experience that is sure to put you in the holiday mood.
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Holidays in Pasadena in December
December

There are no holidays in Pasadena in December

Other notable holidays
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Weather in Pasadena in December

Temperatures on an average day in Pasadena in December

The average temperature in Pasadena in December for a typical day ranges from a high of 64°F (18°C) to a low of 45°F (7°C). Some would describe it as moderately chilly with a gentle breeze.

For comparison, the hottest month in Pasadena, August, has days with highs of 91°F (33°C) and lows of 65°F (18°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 66°F (19°C) and lows of 44°F (7°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Pasadena in December based on historical data.

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Historical temperature average in December
64°F
highs
45°F
lows

General weather summary

Moderately chilly with a gentle breeze
Feels like
13%
Chance of rain
0.070 in
Amount
12.2 mph
Wind speed
48%
Humidity
9.9 hrs
Daylight length
6:49 AM
Sunrise
4:45 PM
Sunset
58%
Cloud cover
Sweater
What to wear
What to wear in December
With an average high of 64°F (18°C) and a low of 45°F (7°C), it generally feels moderately chilly with a gentle breeze. With that in mind, most people would dress in something moderately warm like a sweater
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Best attractions for Pasadena in December

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Pasadena has to offer for travelers in December, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Pasadena that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Pasadena for December.
Norton Simon Museum
1. Norton Simon Museum
4.8
(2883)
Art museum
Museums
Unconventional building housing a noted collection of European & Asian art plus a sculpture garden.
Rose Bowl Stadium
2. Rose Bowl Stadium
4.4
(7787)
Stadium
Fun & Games
Arena home to a storied annual college-football championship game & a notable monthly flea market.
Old Pasadena
3. Old Pasadena
4.6
(1372)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Downtown historic district, now a popular destination for shopping, dining & entertainment.
The Gamble House
4. The Gamble House
4.8
(952)
Historical landmark
Museums
Guided tours showcase this architecturally significant 1908 home designed by Charles & Henry Greene.
Pasadena City Hall
5. Pasadena City Hall
4.7
(619)
City Hall
Sights & Landmarks
Domed, Renaissance-style structure from 1927, housing city administrative offices & gardens.
Colorado Blvd
6. Colorado Blvd
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Walking Areas
Eaton Canyon Nature Center
7. Eaton Canyon Nature Center
4.7
(1820)
Visitor center
Nature & Parks
Simple facility with educational exhibits about the eponymous nature preserve & an information desk.
Sharp Seating-Official Rose Parade Seating Co.
8. Sharp Seating-Official Rose Parade Seating Co.
3.4
(44)
Event ticket seller
Events
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
9. Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4.7
(588)
Research institute
Museums
Part of NASA since 1958, this space exploration center offers talks & tours (reservations required).
California Institute of Technology
10. California Institute of Technology
4.7
(695)
Private university
Sights & Landmarks
This private research university founded in 1891 is known for its engineering & science programs.
Kidspace Children's Museum
11. Kidspace Children's Museum
4.6
(2398)
Children's museum
Museums
This museum with an expansive outdoor play area features hands-on arts & science exhibits.
Pasadena Playhouse
12. Pasadena Playhouse
4.7
(780)
Performing arts theater
Concerts & Shows
This intimate space is a local destination for new works & revivals, including award-winning plays.
USC Pacific Asia Museum
13. USC Pacific Asia Museum
4.5
(337)
Art museum
Museums
Museum with research library relating to Asian & Pacific art & culture in a Chinese-style building.
Pasadena Convention Center
14. Pasadena Convention Center
4.5
(1630)
Event venue
Conference center
Arlington Garden in Pasadena
15. Arlington Garden in Pasadena
4.6
(1159)
Garden
Nature & Parks
3-acre, admission-free formal garden featuring Mediterranean & Californian trees & succulents.
Eaton Canyon Nature Center
16. Eaton Canyon Nature Center
4.7
(1820)
Visitor center
Nature & Parks
Simple facility with educational exhibits about the eponymous nature preserve & an information desk.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Pasadena?

Get inspired for your trip to Pasadena with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

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