by Andrew Alonzo | calendar@claremont-courier.com

What’s Happening Claremont? — Holiday 2022 Edition

 

Friday, November 25

• The free and open to the public 30th annual festival of lights at The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, begins today and will run through January 6, 2023. The public is invited to walk the grounds and witness the massive lights display. For event details visit missioninn.com.

 

 

Sunday, November 27

• Today marks the beginning of the 2022 Advent calendar. In recognition, the Claremont Presbyterian Church is hosting its annual Advent workshop where parishioners are invited to make wreaths from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. No cost or registration is required. Call (909) 624-9693 with questions.

 

 

Tuesday, November 29

• Local charities including Crossroads, Inc., AgingNext and more invite the public to contribute monetarily for their respective Giving Tuesday campaigns. Giving Tuesday began in 2012 and has garnered worldwide support to become known as an international day of service and giving. To learn more visit givingtuesday.org.

 

 

Wednesday, November 30

• Donate today to Children’s Foundation of America’s holiday heroes gift drive which provides local children in need with essentials and presents this holiday season. The last day to donate a present to one of 10 collection sites will be December 23. To shop CFA’s gift list or to view the location of collection sites, visit childrensfoundationofamerica.org.

 

 

Thursday, December 1

• At 4 p.m., two of Santa’s little helpers will give a one-hour, free family-friendly performance on the first floor of Montclair Place, 5060 N. Montclair Ln., between Barnes and Noble and Kids Empire. For a list of kid friendly happenings at Montclair Place visit montclairplace.com.

 

• The Children’s Foundation of America will host a special screening of CFA’s 2022 Holiday Heroes virtual gala and online auction at the Laemmle Claremont 5 Theatre, 450 W. Second St., Claremont, from 7 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to view the livestream at the theatre for $20 or for free online at YouTube. For a link to the livestream and auction, which goes live on November 29, visit childrensfoundationofamerica.org.

 

 

Friday, December 2

• The City of Claremont’s holiday promenade and tree lighting ceremony will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Village Depot. The annual tree lighting happens at 6 p.m. During the evening, Village business will double as cheer stops, providing free holiday treats and deals to attendees. For more event details visit ci.claremont.ca.us.

 

• Join the City of Upland at the Upland Civic Center courtyard, 460 N. Euclid Ave., as the city rings in the holiday season with its seventh annual tree lighting celebration. Festivities will begin at dusk, about 5:30 p.m.

 

 

Saturday, December 3

• Have breakfast with Santa Claus at the Gibson Senior Center, 250 N. Third Ave., Upland, beginning at 8 a.m. Admission is $6 per person and a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, juice, and coffee will be served. For more info visit uplandca.gov.

 

• Join the City of La Verne for a holiday stroll throughout old town from 4 to 8 p.m. between D and 3^rd streets. Businesses and restaurants will be open for an evening of merriment featuring the annual telling of a holiday classic story, the lighting of the Christmas tree, caroling, live music, free photo ops with Santa and more. For more details visit cityoflaverne.org.

 

 

Sunday, December 4

• Ring in the season with Messiah, a holiday concert by the Claremont Chorale and the Claremont Colleges Joint Music Program at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 Harrison Ave., from 4 to 6 p.m. today. Tickets begin at $20. Information and tickets can be found at claremontchorale.org/concerts.

 

 

Monday, December 5

• For those who can’t get enough tree lightings, the City of La Verne’s annual tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. outside city hall, 3660 D St., La Verne. The evening will feature the lighting, carols sung by Bonita High School’s Chamber Singers and chances to take pictures with Santa Claus. For more details go to cityoflaverne.org.

 

 

Tuesday, December 6

• All can enjoy a special winter wonderland edition of story time at the Glendora Public Library, 140 S. Glendora Ave., which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s friends room. Call (626) 852-4891 for information.

 

 

Thursday, December 8

• Party with the Claremont Senior Program at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont, during its winter social event. Celebrate with a fun afternoon of seasonal refreshments, activities, dancing and more. Attendance is $10. To register or to learn more visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com.

 

 

Friday, December 9

• The American Museum of Ceramic Art, 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, opens its treasure sale and holiday market starting at 11 a.m. Shop from more than 20 AMOCA studio and resident artists and procure one-of-a-kind ceramic finds. To register, visit amoca.org/events.

 

• California Botanic Garden’s Luminaria Nights event returns the weekends of December 9 and 10, and December 16 and 17. The annual event promises, “Real candlelit luminarias and glowing string lights guide visitors through California native plant gardens to beautifully decorated music venues featuring joyful and contemplative musical performances,” according to a news release. Luminaria Nights is open from 6 to 9 p.m. each night and hot cider, treats, and alcohol for those 21 and over will be available for purchase. Musical performers include Steve Rushingwind (throughout), Jouyssance Early Music Ensemble (December 9), Phoebe Madison Schrafft (December 10, 17), Windsor Canyon (December 10), and The Jazz Doctors (December 16, 17). Tickets, available at calbg.org/events-programs/events or at the gate, are $16 for nonmember adults; $12 for students with I.D., seniors, children 3 to 12 years old, and CalBG adult members; and $8 for CalBG member students, seniors, or children. California Botanic Garden is at 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. For more information email info@calbg.org, call (909) 625-8767, or visit calbg.org.

 

 

Saturday, December 10

• The Glendora Christmas parade starts at 9 a.m. at Bennett and Glendora avenues. The parade will then proceed south on Glendora Avenue to Foothill Boulevard, turn west, and continue to Grand Avenue and head north until it terminates at Bennett Avenue. The parade’s motto this year is “all about kids” and the theme is “an old-fashioned Christmas.” For details, visit business.glendora-chamber.org. 

 

• The Pomona Fairplex’s annual holiday half marathon returns to the fairgrounds, 1101 W. McKinley Ave, Pomona, with bib pick up beginning at 6 a.m. Races begin with the kids penguin waddle at 9:45 a.m. Race and registration details can be found at runholidayhalf.com.

 

 

Sunday, December 11

• Celebrate the holiday season and 60 years of the Pomona Valley Corvette Club with a party at the Sycamore Inn, 8318 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets begin at $25 per PVCC member and $30 for non-members. Information about the event can be found at pvca.org.

 

 

Monday, December 12

• Locals wanting to take pet pictures with Santa Claus can do so at Montclair Place, 5060 N Montclair Ln., today from 4 to 8 p.m. Pet pictures with Santa take place every Monday at the mall. To make a reservation, visit montclairplace.com.

 

 

Tuesday, December 13

• The Claremont Chamber of Commerce’s monthly business over breakfast event will have a holiday twist in December. Breakfast will still commence at 7:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 555 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont. Admission is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Register at business.claremontchamber.org/events.

 

 

Wednesday, December 14

• It’s never too late to give. Donate today to the Foothill Family Shelter’s ongoing initiatives and projects for the holiday season, located at 1501 W. Ninth St., suite D, Upland. For ways to help, log on to foothillfamilyshelter.org.

 

 

Thursday, December 15

• Granite Creek Community Church, 1580 N. Claremont Blvd., Claremont, opens its 21st annual living nativity today. Four free displays of biblical scenes come to life will be open to the public until Sunday, December 18. To register, visit granitecreek.org/living-nativity.

 

 

Friday, December 16

• Looking for a unique, meaningful gift for someone? The Claremont Forum’s quarterly book sale begins today and will end on Sunday, December 18. All books (except specialty price ones) are just one dollar each from noon to 9 p.m. all three days. Purchases support the Forum’s Prison Library project. For more details visit claremontforum.org.

 

 

Saturday, December 17

• Celebrate Stargazer Productions 29th Christmas season with Tibbies’ Holiday Follies.The 2 p.m. celebration will be held in the Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga. Tickets range from $40 to $45. For details visit cityofrc.us.

 

 

Sunday, December 18

• Today marks the first day of Hanukkah 2022.

 

• Free and open to the public performances of “The Light of Hope Returning”, an American folk oratorio by composer Shawn Kirchner, will be held today at 4 p.m. and on Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the La Verne Church of the Brethren, 2425 E St., La Verne. Following the concert, join friends around a courtyard bonfire to meet the singers while enjoying Christmas cookies. For more info, visit shawnkirchner.com.

 

 

Monday, December 19

• Leave the gift wrapping to Children’s Foundation of America volunteers this year. At Montclair Place, 5060 N. Montclair Ln., CFA will provide gift wrapping services for donations throughout December from 2 to 8 p.m. at its first-floor store near the main entrance hall between Verizon and Santa Claus. For more information, visit childrensfoundationofamerica.org.

 

 

Tuesday, December 20

• The Claremont High School choir and El Roble Panther chorus hold a 7 p.m. concert, “On with the Snow,” at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 W. Harrison Ave., Claremont. The show, an encore of Monday’s performance, celebrates the holiday season with music from Broadway, television and movies. General admission begins at $10. For more info visit chschoir.org/16-17-choral-season.

 

 

Wednesday, December 21

• Bundle up well as today marks the first day of winter. 

 

 

Thursday, December 22

• Monday through Thursday, the Inland Valley Hope Partner’s administrative office, located at 1753 N. Park Ave., Pomona, takes donations of nonperishable food and hygiene products from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (909) 622-3806 beforehand to ensure someone can receive your donation.

 

 

Friday, December 23

• Today’s the last day to donate to the Children’s Foundation of America’s holiday heroes gift drive. To shop CFA’s gift list or to view the location of the collection sites, visit childrensfoundationofamerica.org.

 

 

Saturday, December 24

• It’s Christmas Eve. Be sure to leave out milk and cookies for ol’ St. Nick.

 

 

Sunday, December 25

• Merry Christmas to all from the Courier. Be sure to wake up early to see Santa Claus riding through parts of Claremont. For information on Santa’s arrival on Christmas, call the city at (909) 399-5460.

 

• In observance of the holiday, the Claremont Farmers and Artisans Market will be closed. Regular market hours will return next Sunday, New Year’s Day.