HO HO Holiday Carnival at Sycamore Grove Park | | |
Saturday, Dec 6, 5-7:30 pm
Sycamore Grove
Join Ranger Seth and Santa’s helpers for the annual holiday carnival at Sycamore Grove Park! Enjoy a festive evening with a seasonal campfire, carnival games, arts & crafts, and holiday treats from Mrs. Claus’s bakery. Don’t forget to stop by for pictures with Santa—and be sure to dress for the weather.
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December Ranger Programs
Discover nature with LARPD Rangers at Sycamore Grove Park!
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Winter Birds
Sun, Dec 7, 11 am - 12 pm
Sycamore Grove | Nature Area Entrance*
Ranger Vickie will lead a short stroll over uneven ground to check out our winter birds. Beginner bird watchers welcome! *Nature Area Entrance Google map in the registration link. REGISTER
Photo provided by Charlotte Miranda
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Wild Wreaths
Sun, Dec 14, 12-2 pm
Sycamore Grove | Wetmore Entrance Native Garden
Get creative and craft your own California native plant wreath with Ranger Doug! All materials provided.
REGISTER
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Holiday Ornament Making
Sat, Dec 20, 12-2 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Nature-made materials gathered from the park can make beautiful ornaments for your tree. All materials will be provided for this free event. REGISTER
| | Sycamore Grove Park 2026 Parking Pass | | |
Pick up your 2026 Sycamore Grove Parking Pass during the presale on 11/29–11/30, 9 am–1 pm at the Wetmore Entrance. Passes will also be available starting 12/1 at Sycamore Grove Park and the Robert Livermore Community Center.
Resident: $60 | Non-Resident: $70
Senior (60+): $45 Resident | $55 Non-Resident
| | Volunteer at Sycamore Grove Park | | |
Native Garden Work Days
Tend and nurture the native gardens at Sycamore Grove Park! Volunteers help provide seasonal weeding, planting, pruning and more.
All levels of experience welcome.
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Open Space Work Day
Help the rangers keep the park safe, enjoyable, and accessible for visitors and wildlife. Tasks vary each workday; details will be emailed the week of the event.
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See how volunteers, park staff, and Indigenous leaders are coming together to honor the land through hands-on stewardship and cultural learning.
The Tule Gathering Project connects community members with traditional ecological knowledge and the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe’s ongoing revitalization efforts.
Click to read how this meaningful work is strengthening ties between people, culture, and the natural world.
| | | Winter/Spring Recreation Guide | | | | Discover Open Space programs, camps, classes, and special events in the Recreation Guide—available online now! District resident registration opens 12/3; open registration begins 12/6. | | The Legend of the Mistletoe | | |
Mistletoe has long been wrapped in myth and magic, appearing at the heart of countless folk tales.
One of the most beloved stories—especially for volunteer docent Wally Wood—comes from a Norse legend about the Goddess Frigga, Odin's wife.
Read more to discover the full legend of mistletoe and find out whether it grows in Sycamore Grove Park.
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Sat, Dec 13, 2-4 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Grab your silliest holiday hat and join Interpreter Eric for a festive Livermore tradition—the 31st annual hunt for the fabled Yule Log! The celebration kicks off with games, merriment, and stories of ancient Yule traditions before we set off on a good old-fashioned hunt for the elusive log.
Afterward, we’ll warm up by the fire with wassail and treats while making our own mini Yule logs to take home.
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Wreaths are one of the oldest and most enduring symbols in human history.
From holiday decorations on front doors to ancient crowns of victory, these circular designs have carried meaning for thousands of years—symbolizing eternal life, honor, welcome, and remembrance.
Read more to learn about their rich history and how their traditions continue today.
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January Ranger Programs
Explore upcoming programs featuring activities led by
LARPD Rangers at Sycamore Grove Park!
District resident registration opens 12/3; open registration begins 12/6.
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Atl-Atl Arrow Throwing
Sat, Jan 3, 12-1 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Learn how to throw an arrow using an atl-atl. Ranger Seth will share the history of this tool used by Native Americans. REGISTER
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New Year, New Me Hike
Sat, Jan 10, 10 am - 12:30 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Kick off the new year with a brisk 3.5-mile hike with Ranger Gilbert on the Patterson Ranch trail. At the summit, pause a moment to take a deep breath and set intentions for the year ahead, while enjoying open views of the Livermore Valley. REGISTER
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Mushroom Madness 2026
Sun, Jan 18, 1-3 pm
Sycamore Grove | Ranger Station Picnic Area
Crawl around under trees, wander through meadows, and examine rotting logs to discover how many different types of fungi we can find! REGISTER
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Ranger Seth recently captured this coyote at the "end of the rainbow". Look for these wild canines prancing about in their fluffy winter fur coats. They are curious creatures who may approach you for a closer look at you, but rarely interact with humans.
If you have a photo from the park to share in this newsletter, e-mail it to: natureprograms@larpd.org
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PRIME TIME
Adult & 50+ Programs, Pop-Up Trips, Socials, Classes and Events
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DISTRICT NEWS
LARPD News, Events, and Updates
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REC GAZETTE
Recreation Programs, Camps, Classes and Special Events
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