What’s happening this holiday in Claremont?

by Andrew Alonzo | calendar@claremont-courier.com

Friday, November 28

• Shop local deals this Black Friday.
  

 

• California Botanic Garden hosts Green Friday, an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. day of free admission at 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Included is yarn in the yuccas, a fiber arts group that meets at 1:30 p.m. Register for the free day at calbg.org.

 

• Tickets are $35 at amoca.org/events for American Museum of Ceramic Art’s 1 p.m. pottery workshop, Black FriGlaze, at 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona.

 

 

Saturday, November 29

• Shop local during small business Saturday. View participating Claremont businesses at business.claremontchamber.org.

 

• Donations of new, unwrapped toys or gift cards for families in need will be collected by Glendora Community Services Foundation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walmart, 1950 Auto Centre Dr. Gift ideas are at cityofglendora.gov.

 

• Tickets are $50-60 at ivrt.org/seasonmembership for Inland Valley Repertoire Theatre’s annual winter show, “Holly Dolly Christmas,” with 2 p.m. shows November 29-30 at University of La Verne’s Morgan Auditorium, 1950 Third St.

 

• Hear Christmas carols with a Celtic touch at “Christmas in Killarney,” a 7 p.m. November 29 and 3 p.m. November 30 show at Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga. Tickets, $50-$66, are at lewisfamilyplayhouse.com.

 

 

Sunday, November 30

• Christian denominations observe the beginning of the liturgical season of Advent, the four Sundays preceding Christmas.

 

• Claremont Symphony Orchestra hosts violinist Lyndon Johnston Taylor for a free and public 3:30 p.m. concert at Bridges Hall of Music, 150 E. Fourth St. Info is at claremontso.org.

 

 

Monday, December 1

• The City of La Verne’s annual 6 p.m. tree lighting, featuring a visit from Santa Claus, takes place at city hall, 3660 D. St.

 

• Pet photos with Santa Claus run from 3 to 7 p.m. Mondays through December 15 at Montclair Place, 5060 E. Montclair Plaza Ln. Visit montclairplace.com/events for info.

 

• In partnership with ABC7, Rancho Cucamonga Fire District and firefighters’ association are hosting the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive through December 20. Donations of new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 15 can be made during normal business hours to each of Rancho Cucamonga’s eight fire stations listed at cityofrc.us as well as the all-risk training center, 11285 Jersey Blvd., and city hall, 10500 Civic Center Dr. Info is at cityofrc.us/news.

 

 

Tuesday, December 2

• Friends of the Claremont Library’s annual December fine book sale runs through December 31 at Claremont Helen Renwick Library, 208 N. Harvard Ave. noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

 

• Harvey Mudd College student vocalists and musicians perform a free and public end-of-semester repertoire at 7 p.m. at Shanahan Center, 320 E. Foothill Blvd., Claremont.

 

 

Wednesday, December 3

• Tickets are $18.50-$41.50 for “Imaginarium — Land of Oz,” a 5 to 10 p.m. holiday lights show at Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, running through Sunday, January 4, 2026, at fairplex.com. December 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16.

 

 

Thursday, December 4

• The City of Montclair’s free and open to the public 3 to 8:30 p.m. holly jolly holiday event at Montclair Youth Center, 5111 Benito St., includes a snow play area, a 6 p.m. tree lighting ceremony, and photos with Santa Claus from 6:30 to 8:30.

 

• Tickets are $150 for Children’s Foundation of America’s 5:30 p.m. holiday gala at Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave., Claremont. Search “Hollywood Holiday Gala” at eventbrite.com for more info.

 

• Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center’s 27th annual tree lighting ceremony gets underway at 5:30 p.m. at the Robert and Beverly Lewis Outpatient Pavilion, 1798 N. Garey Ave., Pomona. Caroling from the Inland Valley Repertoire Theatre Dickens Carolers runs from 6 to 7.

 

 

Friday, December 5

• Shop local wares and tour American Museum of Ceramic Art exhibits during its 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. treasure sale weekend December 5-7 at 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona. Info is at amoca.org/events.

 

• Tickets are $60-$80 at pomonachamber.org for Pomona Chamber of Commerce’s 11 a.m. holiday for heroes event, a public safety recognition at Fuego Cocina and Cantina, 205 E. Second St., Pomona.

 

• The City of Claremont and Claremont Village Marketing Group host the free and open to the public 5 to 8 p.m. holiday promenade and 6 p.m. tree lighting ceremony at Claremont Depot, 200 W. First St.

 

• Holiday lights enthusiasts can view extravagant displays in Rancho Cucamonga from 5 to 11 p.m. daily through December 24 along Thoroughbred and Jennet Streets and Turquoise Avenue. More information is at cityofrc.us/holidaylights.

 

• Tickets are $6 at cityofrc.us/events for Rancho Cucamonga’s IncredAbles Friday night fun club’s 5:30 p.m. holly jolly soiree for children 8 and up at Central Park, 11200 Base Line Rd.

 

• Luminaria Nights at California Botanic Garden, 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont, open at 6 p.m. December 5-6, 12-13, and 19-20, with vendors and garden paths lined with luminaria and string lights. Tickets are $21 for adults, $16 for students, seniors, and children. Info is at calbg.org.

 

 

Saturday, December 6

• Tickets are $25 at cityofrc.us/events for breakfast with Santa Claus at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. at Central Park, 11200 Base Line Rd., Rancho Cucamonga.

 

• Tickets are $10 for La Verne’s 9 a.m. pancake breakfast with Santa Claus at the community center, 3680 D St. Call (909) 596-8700 to register.

 

• Glendora hosts a free 9 a.m. gingerbread house decorating party at Finkbiner Park, 181 N. Cullen Ave.

 

• Claremont Chamber of Commerce’s holiday open house runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 205 Yale Ave.

 

• Claremont’s special needs community is invited to meet Santa Claus from 10 a.m. to noon at Blaisdell Community Center, 440 S. College Ave. Register at anc.apm.activecommunities.com/claremontrecreation, search “Santa.”

 

• Mr. and Mrs. Claus spread holiday cheer through Montclair from noon to 7 p.m. Their route is at cityofmontclair.org.

 

• Performances of “Candy Cane Corners and the Almost Un-Christmas” at Citrus College’s Little Theatre, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora, take place at 1 and 3:30 p.m. today and 3:30 December 7.

 

• Upland’s free and public 1:30 p.m. hometown holiday parade and faire takes place downtown, near 305 N. Second Ave.

 

• Tickets are $17-$35 for Citrus College’s annual holiday special, “Christmas Is …,” at 2 p.m. today and December 13-14, and 7 p.m. December 13 at Haugh Performing Arts Center, 1000 W. Foothill Blvd., Glendora.

 

• San Dimas’ 3 to 9 p.m. holiday extravaganza, featuring a 4 p.m. parade, elf village, winter wonderland, and the 6 p.m. tree lighting, takes place downtown.

 

• Tickets to Claremont Chorale’s 4 p.m. Christmas concert at Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1111 N. Mountain Ave., are $15-$25 at claremontchorale.org/concerts. Children 5 and under are free.

 

• Register for La Gran Posada, a free 6 p.m. Mexican heritage event at Fox Theater Pomona, 301 S. Garey Ave., at eventbrite.com, search “La Gran Posada.”

 

• Ontario’s annual holiday light parade and tree lighting kicks off about 6:30 p.m. with a parade along Euclid Avenue, and includes festive lights and a holiday drone show. Info is at ontarioca.gov/holidaylightparade.

 

 

Sunday, December 7

• Tickets are $15-$25 at amoca.org/events for American Museum of Ceramic Art’s noon ornament workshop at 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona.

 

• Tickets are $10-$20 at givebutter.com/c/ssomessiah25 for Southland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus’ 4 p.m. performance of “Messiah” at Bethel Congregational Church, 536 N. Euclid Ave., Ontario.

 

• Tickets are $39-$50 at lewisfamilyplayhouse.com for Anthony Bernasconi’s 6 p.m. “A Very Bublé Christmas” at Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga.

 

 

Monday, December 8

• Today’s the deadline to submit letters to Santa Claus with help from the City of Upland. Letters must be mailed to Upland Recreation and Community Services, c/o Santa Claus, 460 N. Euclid Ave., Upland, CA 91786, or dropped into Santa’s mailbox at Magnolia Recreation Center, 651 W. 15th St.

 

• Information about donating to Claremont United Church of Christ’s alternative Christmas fair is at claremontucc.org/alternativechristmas.

 

 

Tuesday, December 9

• Donations of nonperishable foods and new and unwrapped toys for families in need will be accepted from noon to 2 p.m. at Montclair Community Center, 5111 Benito St. More info is at montclairchamber.com.

 

• Ovitt Family Community Library hosts a 4 to 5 p.m. homemade holidays crafting hour at 215 E. C St., Ontario.

 

 

Wednesday, December 10

• Donations of gifts or money are due today for Kiwanis Club of Claremont and Inland Valley Hope Partners’ Adopt-A-Family program. They can be dropped from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Kiwanis’ See’s Candies store, 191 S. Indian Hill Blvd. The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Visit claremontkiwanis.org to see the gift list.

 

• The free and open to the public Kris Kringle Craft Fair takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ontario Town Square, 224 N. Euclid Ave.

 

 

Thursday, December 11

• Tickets are $15-$30 at claremontheritage.org/padua_holiday.html for Navidad en la Plaza (Christmas in the Plaza), a 5 to 9 p.m. evening of Hispanic heritage at Padua Hills Theatre, 4467 Padua Ave., Claremont.

 

• Donations for Montclair’s food and toy basket drive must be delivered by 6 p.m. today to 5111 Benito St., Montclair. Information is at montclairchamber.com.

 

 

Friday, December 12

• The Citrus College Wind Symphony performs a free and public 6 p.m. holiday concert at Glendora Village bus plaza, 161 N. Glendora Ave.

 

• Tickets are $15 at cityofrc.us/events for a 6 p.m. sugar plum soiree for people 50 and up at the James L. Brulte Senior Center, 11200 Base Line Rd., Rancho Cucamonga.

 

• Tickets are $25 for “A Crescendo Christmas 2025” at 7:30 p.m. today, and 2 p.m. December 13–14 at University of La Verne’s Dailey Theatre, 1950 Third St. Search “A Crescendo Christmas” at eventbrite.com for info.

 

 

Saturday, December 13

• Ontario’s annual children’s Rudolph’s dash and adult 5K reindeer run begin at 8 and 8:30 a.m., respectively, in downtown Ontario. Fees for the 5K are $40, $5 for children’s run through December 12 at ontarioca.gov. Race-day fees are $50 and $15.

 

• Donations of new, unwrapped toys for the Claremont Police Department and Axel Garcia family’s annual toy drive can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at 570 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont.

 

• Families can have breakfast with Santa for $7 each at 8 a.m. at Magnolia Recreation Center, 651 W. 15th St., Upland. Register at uplandca.gov.

 

• La Verne’s 26th winter wonderland runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Heritage Park, 5001 Via de Mansion with Christmas craft vendors, photos with Santa, and treats from Mrs. Claus’ kitchen. Dogs are prohibited.

 

• Glendora’s Christmas parade gets underway at 9 a.m. in downtown Glendora.

 

• Pet photos with Santa Claus are $5 during 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. sessions at Baldy View Dog Park, W. 11th St., Upland. Visit montclairplace.com/events for info.

 

• Rancho Cucamonga hosts a free and public 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. snowy hula day at Red Hill Community Park, 7484 Vineyard Ave. Tickets for the sled run and snow play are $10 and must be reserved in advance at cityofrc.us/events.

 

• Artists 15 and up can take part in Ontario Museum of History and Art’s free 11 a.m. studio Saturday stamp workshop at 225 S. Euclid Ave. RSVP at ontariomuseum.org/programs.

 

• Tickets are $41-$106 at ipballet.org for Inland Pacific Ballet’s noon and 4 p.m. December 13-14 performances of “The Nutcracker” at Bridges Auditorium, 450 N. College Way, Claremont.

 

• Tickets are $28-61 at lewisfamilyplayhouse.com for the 2 p.m. “Surfin’ The Beach Boys Tribute Holiday Show” at Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga.

 

• Holiday at the Plaza, a free family event with a visit from Santa Claus, a snow slide, crafts, and live holiday entertainment, runs from 3 to 9 p.m. at Shaun Diamond Plaza, 197 W. Second St., Pomona.

 

• Claremont Educational Foundation’s chocolate walk, a fundraiser for CEF grants for Claremont Unified School District schools and teachers, runs from 2 to 5 p.m. throughout the Village. Tickets are $30, $100 for a family of four at supportcef.com/events.

 

 

Sunday, December 14

• Happy Hannukah from the Courier!

 

• Tickets are $21.50 at lewisfamilyplayhouse.com for Valverde School of Performing Arts’ Holiday Impromptu 2025 recitals at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 1:30, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga.

 

• Tickets are $25 at the door and at mountainsidemasterchorale.org for Mountainside Master Chorale’s “Christmas in California” at 3 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 600 N. Garey Ave., Pomona.

 

• Good Shepard Lutheran Church’s free and public Adventures in music concert series continues with a 5 p.m. performance by the church choir and pianist Edward David Zeliff at 1700 N. Towne Ave., Claremont.

 

 

Monday, December 15

• Help a child in foster care by purchasing a gift for Children’s Foundation of America’s holiday heroes gift drive at childrensfoundationofamerica.org/holidayheroes, or mail donations by December 15 to 201 N. Indian Hill Blvd. Ste. 200, Claremont, CA 91711.

 

• Pomona seniors are free, nonresidents $4, for the 5 p.m. winter wonderland dance at Palomares Park Community Center, 499 E. Arrow Hwy. Call (909) 620-2324 to register.

 

• Tickets are $5-$10 for Claremont High School Choral Department’s 7 p.m. December 15-16 performances of  “Light in the Darkness” at Claremont United Church of Christ, 233 W. Harrison Ave. El Roble Intermediate School students are free.

 

 

Tuesday, December 16

• Register for Rancho Cucamonga Seniors VIP Club’s free 9 a.m. gingerbread jamboree at cityofrc.us/events.

 

 

Thursday, December 18

• Ophelia’s Jump mounts “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 2009 Porterfield Way, Suite H, Upland, at 7:30 p.m. December 18-20 and 3 p.m. December 21. Tickets, $20-$30, are at opheliasjump.org.

 

 

Friday, December 19

• Winter themed games for children 5 and under are part of Ovitt Family Community Library’s 10:30 a.m. winter wonderland at 215 E. C St., Ontario.

 

 

Saturday, December 20

• Tickets are $35 at tickets.thefoat.com/mooneyes for the 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mooneyes Christmas party show and drag races, held at Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona.

 

• Granite Creek Community Church’s free Living Nativity runs from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at 1580 N. Claremont Blvd., Claremont, through December 21. Learn more at granitecreek.org/events, or search “Living Nativity” at eventbrite.com.

 

• Photos with Santa Claus run from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturdays December 6, 13 and 20 in the Glendora village. Learn more at glendoravillage.com.

 

• Tickets are $28-$66 at lewisfamilyplayhouse.com for Valverde School of Performing Arts’ “Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite” at 7:30 p.m. tonight and 2 p.m. December 21 at Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr., Rancho Cucamonga.

 

 

Sunday, December 21

• Claremont Symphony Orchestra’s free and open to the public “Sing-Along Messiah” concerts take place at 1:30 and 4 p.m. at Bridges Hall of Music, 150 E. Fourth St., Claremont. Info is at claremontso.org.

 

 

Monday, December 22

• School sites are closed, but Claremont Unified School District’s main office at 170 W. San Jose Ave. is open through December 23. City services will operate as normal through December 24.

 

 

Wednesday, December 24

• Be sure to leave milk and cookies out for Santa this Christmas Eve.

 

• Children’s Foundation of America’s gift-wrapping fundraiser concludes today at Montclair Place, 5060 N. Montclair Ln., open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is at montclairplace.com.

 

• Today is Santa Claus’ last day at Montclair Place, with photos from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at 5060 N. Montclair Plaza Ln. More info is at montclairplace.com.

 

• The Kiwanis Club of Claremont’s annual See’s Candies pop-up store wraps the season at 191 S. Indian Hill Blvd. today, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Info is at claremontkiwanis.org.

 

• City facilities will be closed December 24-January 1, 2026, with offices reopening January 5. Direct non-life threatening emergencies to the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

 

 

Thursday, December 25

• Merry Christmas from the Courier!

 

 

Friday, December 26

• Happy Kwanzaa from the Courier!