Christmastime Activities in Monrovia: Toy Drive; Carriage Rides; Tree Lighting and Parade; Santa Breakfasts: Santa Tours City; New Year's Eve

~ Spark of Love Toy drive on the 400 Block of Myrtle on Saturday, Nov. 26.

~ Horse-drawn carriage rides 3-6 p.m. on these Sundays: Dec. 4, Dec. 11, and Dec. 18. Also on Thursday evenings.

~ Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. at the corner of Myrtle and Lime on Thursday, Dec. 1, followed by Christmas parade at 7 p.m. (Parade Route is along Myrtle through Old Town.

~ Santa Claus breakfasts in Old Town: Peach Cafe Dec. 3 and 17 at 8 a.m.; Monrovian Family Restaurant Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.; Jake's Roadhouse Dec. 3 and 10 at 9:30 a.m.; Rudy's Mexican Restaurant Dec. 12 and 17 at 11 a.m.; and Myrtle Tree Cafe Dec. 10 at 10:15 a.m. Contact restaurant for reservations.

~ Santa in a fire truck tours the city. Here's his schedule:

- Monday, Dec 12: south of Huntington, west of Myrtle to Fifth. Also includes Valley Circle.

- Tuesday, Dec 13: East of Myrtle, north of Foothill.

- Wednesday, Dec 14: West of Myrtle, north of Foothill.

- Thursday, Dec. 15: East of Myrtle, south of Foothill, north of Duarte Road.

- Friday, Dec 16: West of Myrtle, south of Foothill to Huntington,  between Myrtle and Fifth

For more information, contact The Monrovia Police Department at 256-8000.

~ New Year's Eve in Old Town, with a beer and wine garden (for adults), family fun, and a midnight ball raising.

- Brad Haugaard