ROSE PARADE TIME: There's the Rose Parade, which traditionally happens for a few hours on New Year's Day morning, and then there are all of the to-dos leading up to the famous event, which take days to roll out. Happening in the Crown City? Bandfest at Pasadena City College, horses clip-clopping at Equestfest, and the last-minute decorating of the floats. Days and details will do the varying thing, but bet something is happening somewhere near Colorado Boulevard from now through sundown on Jan. 1.
KWANZAA HERITAGE FESTIVAL: A block parade and candle-lighting procession are at the heart of this Leimert Park holiday festivity. The free celebration marks its 11th year in 2012 with a drum circle, a food court, a marketplace and children's village. Where to go? The Vision Parking Lot. When to go? On Saturday, Dec. 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The candle-lighting ceremony is at noon.
FIRST WEEKEND: Santa Anita Park made headlines in November when the Breeders' Cup trotted into Arcadia. Now the historic track is open for its regular season -- its 76th -- and all of the cups and specials and giveaways that regulars return for. And that first weekend, the one ahead of New Year's Day? It's as big and busy as a thoroughbred is fast. Kind of a thing, even.
"POSEIDON ADVENTURE" AT 40: It's hard to talk about this 1972 disaster flick without summoning the words "upside-down Christmas tree." The flipped ship made an impression four decades ago, when the film had its December 1972 premiere at the Egyptian Theatre. Now the Egyptian will fete the flick on Saturday, Dec. 29, complete with cast members and other behind-the-scenes goodies. No upside-down Christmas tree, we'll guess, but maybe? Fingers crossed.
VINTAGE CLOTHING & TEXTILE SHOW: "Out with the old, in with the new" is one of the sayings that gets pulled out around the end of the year, but it is definitely "in with the old," or at least the "beautifully worn-before," at this annual retro clothing sale. You want to bring the snood back into fashion in 2013, right? Pickwick Gardens in Burbank is the place; Sunday, Dec. 30 is the day.
