by Andrew Alonzo | calendar@claremont-courier.com

Friday, December 1

• The Friends of the Claremont Library’s annual holiday fine book sale, at the Claremont Helen Renwick Library, 208 N. Harvard Ave., begins at 10 a.m. and runs throughout the month of December. Payments can be made by cash or check. Email friendsofclaremontlibrary@gmail.com for more info.

 

• The American Museum of Ceramic Art, 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, holds its free open house and holiday market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting today through Sunday, December 3. RSVP at amoca.org.

 

• The free and open to the public war and existentialism book club meets from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. December’s book is “Babel: An Arcane History,” by R.F. Kuang.

 

• The Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art at Pilgrim Place hosts Winterfest, a free and open to the public 4 to 6 p.m. event featuring food and drink, music from guitarist Michael Ryan and Friends, at 730 Plymouth Rd., Claremont. More info is at pilgrimplace.org.

 

• The City of Claremont and Claremont Village Marketing Group’s Holiday Promenade kicks off at 5 p.m. in the Village, with select businesses doubling as cheer stops and Santa Claus arriving for photos at city hall, 207 N. Harvard Ave. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 6 at the Claremont Depot, 200 W. First St. More information is at ci.claremont.ca.us.

 

• Pianist Quynh Le performs works by Brahms, Schubert, and Grieg at 5 p.m. at Claremont Graduate University’s Art and Music Building, 251 E. 10th St. Flautist Xinyue Lu plays music from Saint-Saëns and Takemitsu at 7. Both concerts are free, open to the public, and will stream at cgu.zoom.us.

 

 

Saturday, December 2

• Today’s the final day to donate to the Claremont Police Department and the Axel Garcia family’s annual toy drive. New, unwrapped toys will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police station, 570 W. Bonita Ave. They will be distributed to children in Claremont and the surrounding areas. Call (909) 399-5411 for more information.

 

• The Glendora Public Library and Glendora Recreation and Human Services Department invite all to a free and open to the public 9 to 10:30 a.m. gingerbread house decorating party at Finkbiner Park, 160 N. Wabash Ave., Glendora. Questions? Call (626) 852-4891.

 

• Brock Christmas Tree Farm, the only choose-and-cut pine and cypress tree farm in Claremont, located where Mountain Avenue meets the Thompson Creek Trail, continues its 62nd season, open Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through December 17. Call (909) 593-5683 for more info.

 

• Glendora Community Services Foundation hosts a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. stuff the bus campaign at Walmart, 1950 Auto Center Dr., Glendora, accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys and gift cards. Additional info is at cityofglendora.org.

 

• The Friends of the Claremont Library’s On the Same Page Committee hosts a free and open to the public 10 a.m. discussion of “This Is How It Always Is” by Laurie Frankel, the group’s community read for 2023-24. The library is at 208 N. Harvard Ave. More info is available via email to friendsofclaremontlibrary@gmail.com.

 

• The City of Claremont’s Santa Claus meet and greet for people with special needs takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. at Blaisdell Community Center, 440 S. College Ave. Offerings include a playground with adaptive equipment, photo opportunities with Santa, crafting activities, and light refreshments. RSVP using the form.jotform.com link at ci.claremont.ca.us. Email mcastillo@ci.claremont.ca.us for more information.

 

• Inland Pacific Ballet mounts “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Tickets begin at $73 at cityofrc.us. Additional showings take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 3; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 9; and 2 p.m. Sunday, December 10.

 

• La Verne Symphony Orchestra hosts its free and open to the public 3 p.m. winter concert at University of La Verne’s Morgan Auditorium, 1950 Third St., featuring the music of Brahms, Coleridge-Taylor, Shostakovich and more. More info is at lvso.org.

 

• La Verne holds its annual free and open to the public holiday stroll from 3 to 6 p.m. in old town La Verne between D and 3rd streets, including caroling, live music, and a free photo with Santa, and a 6 p.m. a holiday story time and tree lighting ceremony.

 

• Browse artwork around the City of Trees during the free 6 to 9 p.m. Claremont Art Walk. More information is here. Email claremontartwalkinfo@gmail.com for more info.

 

 

Sunday, December 3

• Help the Pomona Police Department fill a cruiser with new, unwrapped toys for children from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Target, 701 Rio Rancho Rd., Pomona. Donors can also take a photo with Santa Claus. Toys will be distributed before Christmas.

 

• Pilgrim Congregational Church’s Christmas marketplace, at 600 N. Garey Ave., Pomona, includes handcrafted Christmas items, Tupperware, jewelry, and more vendors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be available for sale. Call (909) 263-6006 for more information.

 

• Claremont Presbyterian Church’s annual hourlong Advent workshop begins at 11:15 a.m. at Fellowship Hall, 1111 N. Mountain Ave. Attendees will make Advent wreaths, holiday ornaments, and art. Additional info is at claremontpres.org.

 

• The Claremont Chorale’s annual holiday concert begins at 4 p.m. at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 Harrison Ave. The program includes international selections, new work by Doug Andrews, two pieces by Morten Lauridsen, and the featured work, “Christmas Canticles.” Tickets, $10 to $20, are available at the door or at claremontchorale.org.

 

• Walter’s Restaurant, at 310 Yale Ave., Claremont, celebrates 50 years in business with a 4 to 8 p.m. public event and Claremont Heritage fundraiser. Tickets are $75 at claremontheritage.org, click “Walter’s 50th Anniversary,” via phone by calling (909) 624-2779, ext. 2, or at the door.

 

 

Monday, December 4

• Mahjong Mondays at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont, take place from 9 a.m. to noon. Call (909) 399-5488 for info.

 

• The free and open to the public Claremont Graduate University Master of Fine Arts student exhibition “Spatial Engagement” is on view today at Peggy Phelps and East Galleries, 251 E. 10th St. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. An opening reception is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 5.

 

• The Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont, hosts free gentle yoga for seniors at 10:30 a.m.

 

• Claremont Heritage’s annual members holiday party takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Garner House, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont. Members can RSVP for free at claremontheritage.org by clicking “Members’ Holiday Party.” Visit claremontheritage.org, call (909) 621-0848, or email info@claremontheritage.org for more info.

 

 

Tuesday, December 5

• Today’s the deadline for high school seniors with a 2.5 grade point average or above in California’s 41st Assembly District to apply for the 2024 young legislators program. Applications and information are at a41.asmdc.org/2024-young-legislators-program. Call (626) 351-1917 or email catherine.delrosario@asm.ca.gov for more info.

 

• Joanne Dinsmore leads a free 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. arthritis exercise course for seniors at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave., Claremont. Call (909) 399-5488 or visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com/claremontrecreation for more info.

 

• Residents can take part in a free game of pinochle from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at the Joslyn Center, 660 N. Mountain Ave. Call (909) 399-5488 or visit anc.apm.activecommunities.com/claremontrecreation for details.

 

 

Wednesday, December 6

• This month’s 8 a.m. Claremont Chamber of Commerce networking walk at California Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., is free for CalBG members and children under 3, and $5 for chamber members. Non-chamber member prices vary. Attendees must register by Tuesday, December 5, at business.claremontchamber.org.

 

• Claremont Heritage hosts Festival Navideño (with elements of Las Posadas) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave. Tickets, $20 or $10 for children under 12, are at claremontheritage.bigcartel.com. Call (909) 621-0848 or email info@claremontheritage.org for more information.

 

• Glendora Chamber of Commerce’s holiday mixer runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Glendora Country Club, 2400 Country Club Dr. Admission, $40 for members and $50 for nonmembers, must be paid in advance at business.glendora-chamber.org.

 

 

Thursday, December 7

• Seniors with Get Walking Claremont meet at 8 a.m. Thursdays at 2471 N. Indian Hill Blvd. for a walk along Thompson Creek Trail. Arrive 15 minutes early to sign in and hear announcements.

 

• Rancho Cucamonga bed and breakfast Christmas House Inn and Gardens holds its annual Christmas open house from 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. at 9240 Archibald Ave. It includes carolers, children’s activities, a s’mores bar, a meet and greet with Santa, a house tour and more. Tickets are $20, with children under 3 free. Register at christmashouseinn.com.

 

 

Friday, December 8

• Pianist Xi Xie performs works by Bach, Haydn and Mozart at 5 p.m. at Claremont Graduate University’s Art and Music Building, 251 E. 10th St. Soprano Katharina Haberl will perform music from Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini and Verdi at 7. Both concerts are free, open to the public, and will stream at cgu.zoom.us.

 

• California Botanic Garden’s annual Luminaria Nights event returns with a member preview from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, of its garden paths lined with luminaria and string lights. The general public is welcome the following day. Additional public dates include Sunday, December 10; Friday, December 15; and Saturday, December 16. Preview admission is $15 for adult members and $10 for student, senior and child members. More info is at calbg.org/event.

 

 

Saturday, December 9

• The 2023 Glendora Christmas parade starts at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Bennett and Glendora avenues. Visit glendorachristmasparade.com for more info.

 

• The City of Chino’s youth Christmas parade and fair begins at 9 a.m. and features the parade, craft fair, carnival rides, free admission to the Chino Youth Museum and more. Visit cityofchino.org or call (909) 334-3258 for info.

 

• Claremont Educational Foundation’s seventh annual Chocolate Walk fundraiser takes place in the Village from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $30 or $100 for four. All proceeds benefit CEF, which supports Claremont Unified School District. Check-in starts at 1:30 p.m. at Shelton Park, on the corner of Harvard and Bonita avenues. Visit supportcef.com/chocolatewalk for more info.

 

• The City of Upland’sfree and open to the public hometown holiday parade and faire kicks off at 2 p.m. near 305 N. Second Ave., and features a parade, snow play zone, holiday train ride, petting zoo, photos with Santa, food vendors, a holiday gift boutique and more. The parade begins at 3. More info is at uplandca.gov/calendar.

 

• The Pomona Arts Colony, 191 W. Fourth St., is home to the 5 to 9 p.m. Pomona Art Walk, which includes a community market in the Shaun Diamond Plaza, 197 E. Second St.