Justin Thompson was 16 when he got his first gig as Santa Claus.

Thousands of people celebrated their loved ones Nov. 5 during Día de los Muertos festivities Nov. 5 at the Kern County Fairgrounds.

For anyone whose idea of holiday cheer is cozying up with a blanket in a folding chair on the sidewalk, there's no need to stop at just one Christmas parade in Kern County this year.

Your life is a journey of continuous learning, growth and helping others. But how can you effectively support others if you're constantly feeling drained and exhausted? Remember, when we stop learning and evolving, we lack energy, we feel stuck, we hinder our ability to assist others, we lim…

What do you most want for the holidays this year?

Proud homeowners, take note: The Assistance League of Bakersfield wants you — or at least your home. The organizers of the popular Chez Noel holiday home tour have had a harder time each year locating homeowners who are willing to take part.

With book and streaming recommendations, I'm now tackling the listening suggestions for this holiday season.

A vibrant celebration of heritage and culture is approaching as Kwanzaa draws near on the calendar.

The Jewish Festival of Lights is just around the corner. That means Temple Beth El and Chabad of Bakersfield both have plans coming up to celebrate the eight-day holiday.

Parking lots at The Marketplace were transformed into beautiful and compelling art Oct. 21 and 22 as artists broke out their pastels for the Via Arté Italian Street Painting Festival.

Family, food and fun were the order of the day at St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church as its members held their Coptic Festival on Oct. 21 and 22.

Homecoming at Bakersfield College featured all kinds of festivities, including the Alumni BBQ. On Oct. 21, current students, alumni and friends gathered for a day of food, memories and football.

Halloween was celebrated all over Bakersfield, and that included the Monster Mash Dash 5K Run/Walk and Little Monster Dash on Oct. 29. The annual race included a costume contest.

Dec. 1

There's at least one in every family.

Alyssa Enriquez’s months-old son is too young to read, but that isn’t stopping her from instilling in him a love for it. He is one of more than 3,500 children in Kern County 5 years of age and younger who are enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library through the Kern Literacy Council.…

Links for Life took advantage of the "Barbie" movie for this year's Hot Pink Celebration at Luigi's Warehouse on Oct. 27.

Wines play a significant role in holiday celebrations, adding a touch of flavor and fun to the festivities. Tradition tells us that wine choices for the holidays only include reds like cabernet sauvignon, merlot and pinot noir; whites like chardonnay and sauvignon blanc; and sparklers like C…

As December approaches, the air is filled with a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation. The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes an array of parties, gatherings and festivities that demand our attention and, of course, our style. While choosing the perfect outfit is essential…

The sound of high school bands filling the cold December night air, the lights and colors of parade floats rolling down Chester Avenue, and the excitement of children of all ages over the appearance of Santa Claus are the things that made the Bakersfield Christmas Parade the most anticipated…

After three years spent inside a car, the California Living Museum HolidayLights will celebrate its 21st birthday on foot.

This holiday season, Kern County will play host to myriad events, embracing the spirit of December festivities. But for those looking to discover and explore elsewhere or who are hungry for a change of scenery, here are some destinations around the southwest coast.

Although it seems like the go-to in December would be Christmas movies, those aren't on this list. 

Much like Santa's bag of toys, my collection of books to be read seems to be infinite. During the holidays, I plan to dig into a new selection, one of my favorites and a watch-and-read experience.

This time of year is so special for so many reasons. We love the holidays. But we all know that stress and sickness can lurk under the surface of our plans.

Mariachis, prayer and piñatas will return to the streets of Bakersfield Dec. 18 as St. Paul's Episcopal and Mill Creek Christian churches share a Las Posadas celebration downtown.

Bakersfield is known as a place that steps up for its veterans.

Just as the St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Center opens its doors to about 300 women, men and even children each day, the center hosted a crowd the evening of Oct. 5 for its only fundraiser of the year.

As November rolls around, many of us eagerly anticipate the holiday season. It’s a time of togetherness, gratitude and celebration. For some, however, this time of year can also mean stress and anxiety, especially when it comes to holiday travel and road trips. Whether you're headed to a fam…

The Loire Valley, located in the heart of France, is one of the country's most renowned wine regions, celebrated for its stunning landscapes, diversity of plantings and rich winemaking traditions. Cabernet franc and chenin blanc are two distinct grape varietals from the Loire that have made …

MADD Kern County raised more than $58,000 at the 10th Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash as more than 500 DUI crash victims, law enforcement officers and first responders and supporters gathered Sept. 23 at The Park at River Walk.

The 18th Annual Dolores Huerta Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic was held Oct. 6 at The Links at Riverlakes Ranch Golf Course.

In hopes of taking a bite out of crime and connecting its officers with the community, the Bakersfield Police Department hosted National Night Out at Yokuts Park on Oct 3.

How difficult is it to exude an attitude of gratitude?

The holiday season can be a time of great joy and excitement, but it can also be a time of great stress and anxiety for families. As a parent, I understand the challenges that come with raising children, from academic struggles to behavioral issues. These challenges can be even more pronounc…

Those of us who live and work in Kern County may never know that heroes are in our midst.

Some 1,000 people feasted at the Garces Holy Smoke Fall BBQ on Oct. 12 at the Garces Memorial High School campus.

St. George Greek Orthodox Church was the place to be Oct. 13 to 15 for the annual Greek Food Festival.

Clearly once a year isn't enough. But if that's the only time when people are reminded to take time to focus on what they're thankful for, well, it's better than altogether forgetting to count blessings.

Kern County's tradition of spending half a day every year sharing information about the local energy industry carries on this month with a gathering at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, 801 Truxtun Ave.

Leave all your worries behind and enjoy a pop culture adventure at this year's Bakersfield Comic-Con.

It’s not very often, especially in the Western world, that the public can gather to celebrate the eventual and meaningful nature of death.

Nov. 2

Every November, friends and families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving. Of course, the turkey is the star of the show, but one of the favorite side dishes is the sweet potatoes. Bako Sweet sweet potatoes are the choice of many for their Thanksgiving tables, but most people may not realize tha…

As a reader, I'm affected by the seasons. That includes last month's Halloween season, which led to spookier reads, and now with fall and Thanksgiving. Much of November is spent planning for Thanksgiving, whether it's complicated travel plans or just menu prep. 

Attention was focused on Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the Lace'n It Up 5K Fun Run and 1 Mile Celebration Walk held Sept. 30.

Let’s face it. Running's tough.