Redwood City Holiday Happenings

The holidays are almost here! Looking for some holiday fun? Check out these events in Redwood City that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

Hometown Holidays

Get in the holiday spirit and join the festivities, rain or shine, as Redwood City’s Downtown Business Group throws Hometown Holidays, a party to celebrate the holiday season! Guests can enjoy a parade, entertainment, carnival, snow, Santa Claus photos and more. This free family friendly event takes place Dec. 2 starting at 10 a.m. in front of the Fox Theatre.

For more information go here.

Annual Holiday Toy and Book Drive

Public safety agencies in San Mateo County, including the City of Redwood City, have teamed up to bring smiles and holiday spirit to children in need through the Annual Holiday Toy and Book Drive. This annual event has become a welcomed tradition in the Redwood City community. There are many ways you can contribute including:

· Donating to a toy and book barrel. Go here for location information.

· Making a tax deductible donation

· Hosting a party to collect toys, books and donations

· Volunteering your time

· Attending the wrapping party on Dec. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Red Morton Community Center.

If you are a family in need of assistance go here. Applications are due by December 1.

There are even more ways to get involved. Go here for a full list and more information about the program. Thank you for your support!

Holiday Train

The Caltrain Holiday Train has been a Bay Area tradition since 2001. This free event brings together thousands of local community members in the spirit of joy and giving.

Decorated with glittering lights, the dazzling show-train will visit the Redwood City Caltrain station on Dec. 2 at 6:10 p.m. providing holiday entertainment and collecting donations of toys for local children who otherwise might not receive gifts during the holidays.

Tree Lighting

The fun continues right after Hometown Holidays on December 2, with a tree lighting taking place at the corner of Hamilton and Broadway, across from Courthouse Square. Two Redwood trees will be lit in celebration of the holidays. This event is sponsored by the Redwood City Improvement Association.

To celebrate the holiday season the tree in front of City Hall will also be lit, in early December.

ART on the Square Holiday Show

The 2nd annual ART on the Square Holiday Show takes place in the San Mateo County History Museum on Saturday, November 18, 10:30 a.m. — 4 p.m.! Discover 25+ artists selling original jewelry, glass, photography, fiber art, painting, ceramics, clothing, woodwork, and more — all under the Museum’s spectacular stained glass dome with live music by guitarist Greg Newlon. You’re certain to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. To learn more, go here.

Veterans Memorial Senior Center Holiday Senior Events

Thanksgiving Luncheon

Peninsula Hills Women’s Club is hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for seniors on November 23 at 12 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center. If you are apart from your family this Thanksgiving, join the festivities for a home-cooked turkey dinner with all the trimmings, camaraderie and more. Seating is limited, if you would like to attend please make a reservation by November 16 by calling 650–780–7259 and leaving a message. The cost for lunch is free.

Decoration Day

Help decorate the Senior Center for the Holidays! Share your holiday spirit and help spread it to others by volunteering on November 27 at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center. There will be a complimentary pizza lunch for those who sign-up and volunteer. If interested, please call (650) 780–7259.

Gift Bag Assembly

Help fill holiday gift bags for those confined to long-term care facilities. To show our appreciation to volunteers, we’ll provide complimentary breakfast goodies to those who sign-up and volunteer. If you would like to participate, please call the volunteer coordinator at (650) 780–7343. This charitable event takes place at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center in the Sunset Room on Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. It is sure to get you in the holiday spirit!

Holiday Sing-A-Long

Enjoy lunch, entertainment, and opportunity drawings with friends at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center Holiday Sing-A-Long luncheon! This is the last event of the year so come show off your holiday spirit! This event takes place December 15, 12 p.m. in the Sunset Room. Reservations can be made by calling: (650) 780–7259. The cost for lunch is $10.

For more information about these senior events, and others, go here.

Kid Events

Kids Night Out — Holiday Hoopla

Join us for a Holiday Hoopla at the Sandpiper Community Center on December 1, 6–9 p.m.! We’ll make fun holiday crafts and participate in games and team building activities with a holiday twist. A big screen movie showing of Frosty the Snowman will help us wind down the evening.

To make this movie night complete, pizza and drinks will be provided. Don’t forget your pillow and sleeping bag so you’re comfy during the movie! Sandpiper Youth Club members can stay through from 5:30 p.m. on.

Space is limited, register your child here.

This event is appropriate for children ages 5–13, cost is $20 per child.

Kids Night Out — Winter Pajama Party

Attend the Winter Pajama Party at the Red Morton Community Center on December 15, 6–9 p.m.! Play cool winter games for prizes and create dazzling winter crafts. Kids are encouraged to come dressed in comfy pajamas. Parents, this would be a great opportunity to do some holiday shopping without the kids!

Pizza and drinks will be provided. Space is limited, register your child here.

This event is appropriate for children ages 5–12, cost is $20 per child.

Winter Crafts with Mrs. Claus and Santa’s Favorite Elf

Get into the holiday spirit and create a holiday craft with Mrs. Claus and Santa’s favorite Elf on Saturday, December 9 or 16 from 11 a.m. — 12 p.m. at the Red Morton Community Center! Each week is a different craft.

This event is appropriate for children ages 5–8, cost is $25 per child. Please register here in advance.

Library Events

Meet Santa at the Library

Bring your camera and holiday wishes to meet Santa at your local library! Santa will fly in from the North Pole to these Redwood City libraries on the following dates, times and locations:

· Sunday, Dec. 10, 1–3 p.m., Redwood Shores Branch Library

· Sunday, Dec. 17, 1–3 p.m., Downtown Library

· Tuesday, Dec. 19, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Schaberg Branch Library

· Thursday, Dec. 21, 4:30- 6:30pm., Fair Oaks Branch Library

Santa’s visits are sponsored by the Friends of the Redwood City Public Library.

Holiday Concert at the Library

On December 13, from 6–7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Library, Gabriel’s Trumpet Trio will perform classic family-friendly holiday music, and holiday craft activities will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Library Bookstore.

Food for Fines

Through December 31, the Redwood City Public Library is participating in the Food for Fines community food drive program. This program allows visitors to bring non-perishable food items into any Redwood City Library branch in exchange for their fine/fee being waived. This program will only waive library fines, not fines for lost or damaged items. All food collected will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. To learn more about this program, go here.

Friends of the Library Bookstore

The Friends of the Library’s Bookstore, in the lobby of the Downtown Library at 1044 Middlefield Road, has its annual Holiday feature sale on display including books, movies and music about Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and more. There are also many new, like-new, and collectible items suitable for gifting. Visit the holiday sale early, as it is very popular, with many wonderful items at extremely reasonable prices. To learn more about the Friends of the Library go here.

Winter Reading Club

Read or listen to five books by the end of January 2018 and receive a goody bag and free kids meal at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Redwood City. Pick up your reading record bookmark at any Redwood City Library starting December 1. The Winter Reading Club is for all readers and listeners ages 0–12 years old.

The Winter Reading Club is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library Bookstore and The Old Spaghetti Factory.

Eighth Annual Chanukah Festival

The eighth annual Chanukah Festival will take place in Courthouse Square this year on December 17 at 4:30 p.m. Enjoy a menorah lighting, Chanukah latkes and donuts, entertainment and more.

Bethlehem A.D.

Visit the town of Bethlehem in Redwood City, and enjoy a living Christmas experience. On December 21–23 from 6:00 p.m. — 9:30 p.m., join in the holiday spirit by attending this unique live performance. The event is located at 1305 Middlefield Road and is free for the whole family.

Holiday Closures

City Hall and most departments/facilities are closed during the holidays, including the administrative offices of the Police and Fire Departments. The City’s administrative offices will be closed on:

November 23

November 24

December 25

December 26

January 1

January 2

The City’s emergency services will still be operating and available if needed. For a full list of affected facilities go here.

More Events

Interested in more holiday fun? Go here for our full calendar of events.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat for updates. We wish you a happy holiday season!