Christmas carnivals in Sierra Madre.
A Christmas carnival is the whole event, dressed for December: striped booths in red and white and green and white under warm string lights, candy-cane signage on the games, a balloon arch at the entrance and Santa and Mrs. Claus at a photo station. Christmas carnivals in Sierra Madre draw on the same parks and school calendars as any other community event in town, so the first job is picking the place and the date.
Four named parks give a Sierra Madre host something to ask about: Sierra Madre Memorial Park, Sierra Vista Park, Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park and Mt. Wilson Trail Park. A carnival belongs only where the city says it may go. Families whose children attend Pasadena Unified School District schools can also ask the school office about a campus.
Carnival Fun Experts produces Christmas carnivals across Los Angeles County, and each Sierra Madre quote starts from the park or lot the host has chosen.
A Christmas carnival laid out in Sierra Madre.
The entrance carries the holiday balloon arch: candy canes, peppermint balloons and gingerbread figures against red and white. A ring-toss marquee lights up near the gate, and the striped booths follow, red and white beside green and white, each running a carnival game with prizes. Candy-cane skins on the games and warm string lights overhead make the row read as one Christmas midway after the sun goes down.
A cluster of concession booths serves churros, pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, nachos, snow cones and caramel apples. Families who want a picture can walk into the snow globe inflatable, a photo prop with nothing falling inside, or sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the photo-op station. Phones work for the picture, and the host can book the photographer Carnival Fun Experts offers. Evenings can turn cold, and heating is the host's job, so a host planning an after-dark event raises it with the venue early.
What's typically included.
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Striped holiday booths.
Red-and-white and green-and-white 10x10 booths with string lights over the midway.
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Games with prizes.
Traditional booth games in candy-cane skins, with prizes for every booth.
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Entrance arch.
Candy canes, peppermint and gingerbread frame the gate or the photo station.
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Concession booths.
The seven concessions, from booths with one, two or three machines.
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Santa and Mrs. Claus.
A photo-op station, plus the snow globe inflatable as an additional prop.
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Setup and paperwork.
Carnival Fun Experts sets up, takes down and provides the certificate of insurance a city or school asks for.
Typical timeline for Christmas carnivals in Sierra Madre.
- 1
Pick the place
Ask the city about a park or the school office about a campus, and settle the date.
- 2
Shape the carnival
Choose booths, concessions, the arch and the Santa station. A 50% deposit holds the date.
- 3
Send paperwork
The certificate of insurance goes to the city or district. Carnival Fun Experts runs generators for its own equipment when venue power falls short.
- 4
Carnival day
The midway goes up, the lights come on, and the host places its tables, tents, heating and drinks.
Specifics for Sierra Madre.
- Sierra Madre Memorial Park: A named park the host can ask the city about. Space, dates and rules come from the city.
- Sierra Vista Park: Another named park, with the same first step: confirm space and dates with the city.
- Wilderness and trail parks: Bailey Canyon Wilderness Park and Mt. Wilson Trail Park are named parks in Sierra Madre. A host asks the city whether either can take a carnival.
- Pasadena Unified School District: A school group asks the district office which winter dates a campus event can use.
- Cost bands: Neighborhood or HOA carnivals run $4,000 to $10,000, and company events run $10,000 to $25,000. Large multi-department events run $25,000 to $40,000 or more. Church events start from about $2,000, and the smallest custom event starts around $1,500.
- Host's side: Tables, chairs, meals, drinks, heating, extra tents, Christmas trees and other vendors belong to the host or the venue.
Sierra Madre, CA.
ZIPs: 91024 · 91025
Carnival Fun Experts delivers Christmas carnivals throughout Sierra Madre and the surrounding Los Angeles County area. Pin shows the city center; we cover every ZIP listed above.
Common questions.
Can a neighborhood group hold a Christmas carnival?
Yes. A neighborhood or HOA carnival runs $4,000 to $10,000, and the group confirms its site and date first.
Who arranges heat for a cold evening?
The host or the venue. Carnival Fun Experts does not provide heating.
Can a church add one to a winter event?
Yes. Church events start from about $2,000, and the church confirms space on its own property.
Is a park rental needed?
The city decides. The host asks about the chosen park, and Carnival Fun Experts provides the paperwork a permit asks for.
Does the carnival work with a tree lighting?
Yes. The host runs the lighting and supplies the tree, and Carnival Fun Experts builds the midway beside it.
What is the smallest version?
The smallest custom event starts around $1,500, and Santa is added as a part of the event.
About this guide.
This local guide to Christmas carnivals in Sierra Madre was compiled by Carnival Fun Experts, the Los Angeles County operation of My Little Carnival, producers of seasonal festivals, school carnivals, backyard birthdays and community events across LA County.
Helpful local references: City of Sierra Madre · Pasadena Unified School District
Christmas Carnivals in nearby cities.
Planning a Christmas carnival in Sierra Madre?
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