By Lori BODNAR, intern

Those looking for fun local events for the holidays need not search any farther. From Santa to snow, there are many upcoming activities to put participants in the holiday spirit.

The 25th Annual Festival in Lights at Memorial Park (1301 Foothill Blvd.) in La Cañada is this Friday, Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, and Mrs. Claus will arrive in an antique car, complete with police escort, then stay for pictures and to listen to the Christmas wishes of everyone. Children can pet live reindeer, play in real snow piles and enjoy live holiday music from the PCY Choral Club, LCE Lion’s Pride Chorus, and the band “Misplaced Priorities.” The event is free to attend. Patrons can bring canned food or a new unwrapped toy to support the CV Sheriff’s Station’s annual Toy and Food Drive. Food will be available for purchase from TCS Premier Events, which will offer hot dogs and hot cocoa, Los Gringos Loco’s Famous Taco Cart and Hello Pizza. The Miss La Cañada Flintridge finalists and court will be announced and the twinkling holiday lights will be on in the pavilion.  The event is sponsored by the City of La Cañada Flintridge and the LCF Chamber of Commerce. 

On Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6:10 p.m. crowds will gather along Honolulu Avenue for the 43rd annual Montrose Christmas Parade. Santa will be flying over at 6:20 p.m. The Montrose Christmas Parade is a highly anticipated holiday event each year so try to arrive early to set up chairs beforehand. The parade begins on Honolulu and Rosemont Avenue and runs east to Verdugo Road. Parking is available in open parking lots and side streets. The Montrose Christmas Parade is free to attend. Local Boy and Girl Scout groups can be found along the parade route in festive holiday attire, and an array of holiday floats, groups and marching bands, including the award winning CVHS Falcons marching band, will make their way down Honolulu. For more information about the Montrose Christmas Parade, see the front page of the Nov. 28 issue of the CV Weekly.

La Crescenta Library (2809 Foothill Blvd.) hosts its annual tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12. Activities start at 3:30 p.m. when kids can gather for arts & crafts activities, such as making LED holiday cards. At 4:30 p.m., Buster Balloon will perform followed at 5 p.m. with live music in the courtyard. Children can take a free photo with the jolly old man in red, Santa Claus! There is also a North Pole mailbox where children can deposit their holiday letters to Santa. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m., and several youth groups will sing and perform. The event ends at 8 p.m. This community event is free to attend and is sponsored by LA County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and the Friends of La Crescenta Library.

The La Crescenta Woman’s Club is hosting its 28th Annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Santa Breakfast is at the clubhouse of the La Crescenta Woman’s Club (4004 La Crescenta Ave.). Families can get their picture taken with Santa, and all children will receive a special gift from St. Nick. There will be plenty of holiday crafts and fun, as well as delicious food. If available, the local fire department will make a special appearance with their fire truck. Live holiday music will be provided by the Crescenta Valley High School Charismatics choral group. Tickets to Breakfast with Santa are $15 per person and tickets can be bought online (https://www.lacrescentawomansclub.org/) or at the door. Buy tickets early to reserve a spot. 

If tickets run out for the
LCWC Breakfast with Santa head over to Crescenta Valley Park (3901 Dunsmore Ave.) from 9 a.m. to noon for their Breakfast with Santa and toy giveaway.

Many of the local churches will be hosting their own celebrations of the season, including Explore Bethlehem on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at CV Church, 4001 La Crescenta Ave.

  Lori BODNAR