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- ❄️ Mid-December festivities, bike rides, and movies.
❄️ Mid-December festivities, bike rides, and movies.
December 12 in Bakersfield
Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Bakersfield Christmas Parade
Welcome to your weekly Bakersfield update! Today is Thursday, December 12, 2024.
In this week’s Bako Weekly:
🏢 Downtown building renovations
💰️ A bounty
👹 Krampus

Foggy morning. Credit.
Here’s what’s happening this week:
News
🗑️ Got bulky waste? The City of Bakersfield is hosting a bulky waste collection event this Saturday, December 14 to dispose of furniture, mattresses, box springs, and other eligible items at the Mesa Marin Sports Complex.
🚨 U.S. Marshals are offering a $5,000 reward for information on escaped inmate Cesar Hernandez, who fled CDCR custody in Delano last week. Hernandez, 34, was serving 80 years to life for first-degree murder and has ties to Kern, Los Angeles, and Riverside Counties.
🚸 Kern County has seen 55 pedestrian deaths in 2024, surpassing last year’s total with three weeks still remaining. BPD Chief Greg Terry emphasized efforts to slow traffic and focus enforcement where collisions are most frequent, particularly in areas with high speeds.
🚔 Lerdo Jail faces overcrowding as Prop 36 increases convictions for repeat drug and retail theft offenders. Sheriff Youngblood says reopening facilities will take millions and 18 months, as resources remain stretched.
🍺 A new brewery is coming to town! BarrelHouse Brewing announced the closure of their San Luis Obispo taproom, hinting at a Bakersfield location opening soon. Visit their original spot before it closes on Sunday, December 22.
🏢 The historic Woolworth’s building in downtown Bakersfield is undergoing a major transformation in time for its 75th anniversary in 2025. The original 1950s soda fountain and lunch counter will be preserved. The project is on track for a summer 2025 reopening, bringing new life to the downtown area.
Bakeresfield Weekend Weather
Expect mostly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures this weekend.
Date | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
---|---|---|
Thur. Dec. 12 | 🌧️ 55 | 42 |
Fri. Dec. 13 | ⛅ 58 | 45 |
Sat. Dec. 14 | ⛅ 66 | 43 |
Sun. Dec. 15 | ⛅ 55 | 39 |
Food and Drinks
🥧 Radio Sandwich (Downtown): Order your December pies from Radio Sandwich, online or in-store! Choose from delicious options like Sticky Toffee Pecan Pie, Cranberry Curd Tart, and Salt Honey Pie.
🍷 Ugly Sweater Wine Tasting (Northwest): Enjoy a festive night of ugly sweaters and wine tasting. There will be a prize for the most festive sweater! $33.85 per person. Includes tasting, a festive cookie, and a glass to take home. Wednesday, December 18. 6 PM.
Christmas Events
Merry Christmas Bakersfield (12225 Stockdale Hwy.): Friday, December 13. 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Home for the Holidays (Taft): $5 per person. Kids 5 and younger free admission. Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14. 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
North of the River Christmas Parade (Oildale): Saturday, December 14. 10 AM.
Feliz Skavidad: Annual Reggae, Ska, and Latin Music Christmas Party. Celebrate the season with live music at Temblor Brewing! $5 entry. Saturday, December 14. Doors 5 PM. Music 6 PM.
Arvin Christmas Parade: Saturday, December 14. 6:30 PM.
Things to Do
🚲️ Haggin Oaks Christmas Light Ride (Southwest): Join Bike Bakersfield for their annual festive bike ride through the beautifully lit Haggin Oaks neighborhood! Gather at the Marketplace parking lot next to Lengthwise Brewery. Be sure to bundle up, dress in festive attire, and deck out your bike! Helmets are required for riders under 18, and bike lights are essential for safety. Thursday, December 12. 6:30 PM.
👹 Krampus Festival (Downtown): Experience the dark side of the holidays at Jerry’s Pizza with live DJs, a spooky market, and a Krampus costume competition. 21+ event. Saturday, December 14. 8 PM.
🚲️ The End of Year Full Moon Ride: Join Bike Bakersfield for their last full moon ride of the year! The route begins at Beach Park and ends at Ethel’s Old Corral Cafe off Old Alfred Harrell Highway. Dress warm and decorate your bike. Helmets are required for riders under 18, and lights are essential for safety and visibility. Tuesday, December 17. 5:00 PM.
Local Markets
Shops at Exquisite (Downtown): 2019 Chester Ave. Friday, December 13. 5 PM to 8 PM.
Fright Night Market (Downtown): 1438 19th St. Friday, December 13. 6 PM.
F Street Farmers Market (Downtown): Behind 2819 F St. Saturday, December 14. 7:45 AM to 12 PM.
Riverlakes Farmers Market (Northwest): 8601 Hageman Rd. Saturday, December 14. 9 AM to 1 PM.
Junior League of Bakersfield Holiday Market (Downtown): 1928 19th St. Saturday, December 14. 10 AM to 2 PM.
The Curated Collective (Southwest): 3333 Buena Vista Rd. Saturday, December 14. 10 AM to 2 PM.
The Southwest Market (Southwest): 2800 Buena Vista Rd. Saturday, December 14. 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Haggin Oaks Farmers Market (Southwest): 8800 Ming Ave. Sunday, December 15. 9 AM to 2 PM.
Theater & Film
Interstella 5555: The iconic 2003 anime film and visual companion to Daft Punk’s album Discovery. Showing today, Thursday, December 12 through Sunday, December 15.
Interstellar 10th Anniversary IMAX Re-Release (Reading Cinemas Valley Plaza): Showing Friday, December 13 through Wednesday, December 18.
School of Rock (The Ovation Theatre): Showing through Sunday, December 22.
And Then There Were None (Stars Westside Playhouse): Showing through Sunday, December 15.
Hairspray (Stars Theatre Restaurant): Showing through Sunday, December 22
Civic Dance Center’s 47th Annual The Nutcracker (Mechanics Bank Theater): Showing Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15.
Anastasia: The Musical (The Empty Space): Showing Friday, December 13 through Saturday, December 28.
Bakersfield Sound Documentary (Beale Library): Free. Saturday, December 14. 1 PM.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (Fox Theater): Saturday, December 14. 3 PM and 7 PM shows (doors open at 2 PM and 6 PM, respectively).
The Polar Express (Fox Theater): Monday, December 16. Doors 6 PM. Show 7 PM.
Random
🔝 Bakersfield is the only California city to make the top 20 US cities ripe for winter affairs. At least we didn’t take the number one spot this time!
GoFundMe Locals
🕊️ Valentin passed away at only 4 weeks old due to unforeseen circumstances currently under investigation. Please consider helping Valentin’s family during this difficult time by donating and/or sharing.
🕊️ Brent Allen Evans—a father, brother, and son—passed away after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Oildale. Consider helping Brent’s family during this difficult time by donating and/or sharing.
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Enjoy the festive season and stay safe! See you next week!
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