Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Don't wait until Christmas Eve, Santa Claus is going to make an early visit to Santa Monica on his annual Candy Cane Drive to local parks, the Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier.

A man of great importance, Claus will ride a fire engine through the city and be escorted by Santa Monica firefighters and police officers, who will help him deliver good cheer and thousands of candy canes during the ninth annual event, which takes place Saturday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 19 in locations throughout the city.

The telltale signs of Claus' arrival will be the sirens and flashing lights of public safety vehicles. Parents are advised to have cameras at the ready.

Santa Claus and his entourage will visit the following locations:

Saturday, Dec. 18

· 10 - 10:30 a.m. - Memorial Park, located at Olympic Boulevard and 14th Street
· 11 - 11:30 a.m. - Douglas Park, located at Wilshire Boulevard and 25th Street
· 1:45 - 2:15 p.m. - Clover Park, located at Ocean Park Boulevard and 25th Street
· 2:45 - 3:15 p.m. - Virginia Park, located at Virginia Avenue and 22nd Street
· 3:45 - 4:15 p.m. - Christine Reed Park, located at California Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard

Sunday, Dec. 19

· 11 a.m. - noon - Santa Monica Pier
· 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. - Third Street Promenade at Arizona Avenue
· 2 - 2:30 p.m. - Marine Park, located at Marine and 17th Streets
· 3 - 3:30 p.m. - Clover Park, located at Ocean Park Boulevard and 25th Street