Going North

* Garden--The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, will host an installment of its Community Free Day today to mark the arrival of winter. The garden celebrates the first day of every season with free admission. The 65-acre garden offers more than five miles of paths that meander through eight different habitats representing various regions of California, including redwood forests, oak and canyon woodlands, meadows and deserts. Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 682-4726.

* Celtic--Queen Mab, a Celtic music ensemble, will present a winter solstice concert tonight at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol Road. Program highlights: dance tunes and melodies from Scotland and Ireland, plus medieval and Sephardic music. Show time: 7:30 p.m. $16 adults, $6 children. 682-4711.

* Family--Panto Productions will open “Goldilocks, 3 Bears . . . and Then Some” Saturday at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. The gist: music, dancing, audience participation, and wild and crazy characters in the British holiday tradition of zany versions of fairy tales. Show times: Saturday-Dec. 31 (excluding Dec. 25), 2 p.m.; Dec. 26 and 29, 6:30 p.m. $13-$25. 963-0761.

* Lights--A trolley transporting Santa Claus will tour Santa Barbara neighborhoods that are festooned with holiday lights. The 90-minute tour commences at the Stearns Wharf fountain, State Street and Cabrillo Boulevard. Today and Friday, 6:30-8 p.m. $10 adults, $5 children. All proceeds donated to local charity. 965-0353.