The weather outside isn’t quite as frightful as we want it to be, but whether we like it or not, the holidays are fast approaching. It may seem that you just barely finished with the Thanksgiving leftovers and finally got rid of the extended family, but the holiday festivities are just getting started. Check out some of the holiday events taking place around the Jewel City to get you and your family into the festive spirit.
City of Glendale Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony – Thursday, December 1st
Come join the City of Glendale City Council and Community Services and Park Department as they host Glendale’s official tree lighting ceremony here at City Hall. Bring friends and family and enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and a special visit from Santa Claus.
Festivities begin 6:00 pm at Perkins Plaza located in the Glendale Civic Center at 613 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA.
Montrose Christmas Parade – Saturday, December 3rd
Celebrate the holiday season with the 40th anniversary of this Glendale tradition. The Montrose Christmas Parade is a yearly yuletide parade stretching along Honolulu Avenue in the Crescenta Valley. Community members, civic leaders, organizations, and groups from around Southern California make their way along the parade route spreading holiday cheer.
This year’s event is on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 6:00 PM. The parade will begin at Honolulu Avenue and Rosemont Avenue and run east to Verdugo Road. Be sure to arrive early to get a spot, and of course, enjoy the delicious food and sights of Montrose.
Gift Wrapping at the Maryland Paseo – Saturday, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th
Since September, the Maryland Paseo has been closed off to create a new community space in downtown. Due to Glendale’s preeminence as a shopping destination, the Paseo will be offering gift wrapping services to shoppers this holiday season. So if you are stressing about wrapping all those holiday goodies, look no further than the Maryland Paseo for some help.
The stations will generally be open from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, barring adverse weather. If you are a non-profit and looking to participate, email chooseglendale@glendaleca.gov or call (818) 548-2005. The Paseo is located on Maryland Avenue between Broadway and Wilson.
Volunteer Opportunities
The holiday season is the perfect time to reflect on the year and reach out to those who are less fortunate. Thankfully, if you are looking to give back during the season you can find many volunteer opportunities throughout Glendale.
Salvation Army: The holidays can be a busy time for Glendale’s Salvation Army. Each year, hundreds of families come to the Glendale Salvation Army to make their holidays bright and receive food and toys. You can show your holiday spirit by giving a hand and checking out the multiple volunteer opportunities the Salvation Army offers such as kettle bell ringing, holiday store set up, and sponsoring the annual toy drive.
For details, contact Jazmine Santillan at (818) 246-5586 or by email at Jazmine.santillan@usw.salvationarmy.org
YWCA: The Glendale’s YWCA seeks to empower women in the community and help in times of need. For the women and children in the care of the YWCA, the holidays can be a difficult time. Thankfully, the YWCA allows community members to adopt a family for the holidays and bring some seasonal cheer to those who need it most. Once you register, you will receive a gift wish list from a family in need. Your gifts can make this holiday season a family won’t soon forget.
For more information on the Adopt-a-Family program, contact coordinator Devon Malick by phone at (818) 242-4155 ext. 227 or visit www.glendaleywca.org/support/adopt-a-family/
Community Services & Parks Department: The City offers a volunteer program year round, but the holidays are a perfect time to help out and make a difference in your community. Glendale’s multiple community centers serve a lot of people this time of year, and can always use your help. If you are interested, contact one of the local community center supervisors to inquire about opportunities and learn more about signing up.
If these holiday events aren’t enough to get you in the spirit, check out the Community Calendar for a list of all upcoming City events. For more volunteer opportunities, you can also take a look at our list of clubs and organizations listed on our website. You can also subscribe to the City’s award-winning e-newsletter “City Connection” for a monthly rundown on the sights, sounds, and events the Jewel City has to offer.
MyGlendaleCityNews is your online hub for all official Glendale news and updates. We're dedicated to informing and entertaining readers by showcasing all Glendale has to offer from a local government, cultural and business perspective.