Various locations in L.A.

Pasadena’s South Lake Avenue transforms for the holidays during this beloved free celebration that attracts thousands of visitors each year. You’ll find free photos with Santa at Macy’s (401 S Lake Ave), a holiday artisan market and cookie decorating at the Commons (140 S Lake Ave) and ornament making at Pasarroyo (251 S Lake Ave). Businesses along the street—from Erewhon to Pie ‘N Burger to Sanrio—will be offering special promotions, and starting at 1pm, three local bands will provide a diverse soundtrack of live music while you shop. Carolers in costume will also be roaming the avenue, as well as holiday characters including Olaf, the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman and Snoopy.

Downtown Burbank shuts down its main thoroughfare to car traffic for this biannual arts festival, curated by indie artisan marketplace Jackalope. Over 200 local hand-selected artisans will fill San Fernando Boulevard from Magnolia Boulevard to Angeleno Avenue. Shop art and photography, one-of-a-kind glass goods and ceramics, original fashion and jewelry, paper goods, home decor, tasty treats and more. You’ll also find live music and activities for kids like ornament-making and face-painting. And unlike some artisan markets, Jackalope offers free admission.

You’ve walked, donated and volunteered, all in the name of charity. Now here’s your chance to drink for those in need. Gather your friends and join other do-gooders at the annual SANTA Monica (see what they did there?) Pub Crawl. An admittance fee benefiting the Westside Food Bank allows you to participate in one of two routes around Santa Monica—although the VIP route hopper ticket gives you the best bang for your buck. Don your ugliest Christmas sweater or a Santa hat—there’s a prize for the best holiday spirit costume—and enjoy single-digit-dollar food and drink deals at some of the city’s best spots, including the Victorian and Jameson’s Irish Pub (both stops on the Main Street Route) and indoor mini golf spot Holey Moley on Third Street Promenade. Sign up online and collect a wristband on the day of the event, then crawl from spot to spot on foot. End your night at the official after-party at 1212. Plus, in celebration of Santa Monica’s 150th birthday this year, there will also be a block barty on the Promenade in the new “Entertainment Zone,” complete with live entertainment, DJs, beer gardens and wintry pop-up bars.

Get ready: In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympic Games. After initially vying for a bid in 2024, L.A. was awarded the ’28 Games back in 2017.