Quote of the week

"I suppose you will be hanging up your stocking just once more: I hope so, for I have still a few little things for you. After this, I shall have to say 'goodbye,' more or less: I mean, I shall not forget you. We always keep the old numbers of our old friends, and their letters; and later on we hope to come back when they are grown up and have houses of their own and children."

– J.R.R. Tolkien, Letters From Father Christmas

Letters to Santa

Santa's special mailbox has arrived and he can't wait to hear from you. Children and families are invited to write heartfelt letters filled with wishes, dreams and holiday cheer, then drop them into the special mailbox at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St. and Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Every letter will be sent straight to the North Pole and Santa himself will send a personalized reply to each child! Don't miss this chance to make the holidays sparkle. Grab your pens, bring your imagination and let Santa know what makes this season magical for you! The last day for drop off is Dec. 19. Sign up here.

Walking Bird Tours at Bedwell Bayfront Park

Join local photographer, Rick Morris of IntheWildwithRick Bird and Owl Tours, for a leisurely walk at Bedwell Bayfront Park as we observe the various shorebirds (Great Egrets, Pelicans, Cormorants, Terns, etc.) and other wildlife. Photographer birders and non-photographer birders are equally welcome! Rick Morris recently provided photography services for Light up the Season and has worked as a photographer with The Almanac. Walking Bird Tours will be at Bedwell Bayfront Park on select Fridays (Jan. 16, Feb. 6 and March 6) from 9–11 a.m. Space is limited. 

Aquatics survey

The City of Menlo Park is interested in hearing residents' views about the City's aquatics programs. The City owns two aquatics centers: Belle Haven Pool at 100 Terminal Ave. and Burgess Pool at 501 Laurel Ave. Menlo Swim and Sport operates both pools under contract with the City of Menlo Park. Please share your views by taking this quick seven-minute survey. Your feedback helps us to improve. Thank you for your help!

Winter Swim Lessons – Registration opens tomorrow

Registration for winter swim lessons at Burgess and Belle Haven Pools opens tomorrow, Dec. 14, at noon. The session runs Jan. 5–March 15. Classes meet once per week on the same day and time you select during registration. Resident rates are available for Menlo Park residents and scholarships and Belle Haven hyperlocal resident discounts are available at Belle Haven Pool. Learn more.

Sneak a peek into 2026 with our Tea and Tarot series 

Join us for tea and conversation around the tarot deck. Socialize and practice your skills reading the tarot. While this isn't an instructional course, meet like-minded people who can share their tarot experiences over a cup of tea. Participate on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 3–4 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.

Family Concert with Soul 4Kidz 

Listen to your favorite children's songs, with a soulful twist! Sing and dance along with Soul 4Kidz as they perform their versions of classic hits such as Baby Shark, the Wheels on the Bus, Three Little Birds and many more. Join us on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 11–11:45 a.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

Message2Me – Senior adults showcase 

Join us for a special celebration of remarkable stories of senior adults, captured through a legacy video project, that highlights their wisdom, memories and experiences that have shaped who they are today. Participate on Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5–6:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Community Campus, 100 Terminal Ave. Learn more.

More free literary and cultural programs  

These free literary and cultural programs received funding support from Friends of Menlo Park Library.

• Winter Reads is full steam ahead. Winter readers are powering through their goals! Set a new goal and aim to double your original reading goal by the end of the winter season. The City of Menlo Park's "Winter Reads" program is open to all ages. Anyone can participate by signing up between now and Jan. 17. Achieve your reading goals and earn a free book or a Kepler's gift card donated by Friends of Menlo Park Library! Learn more.
• Sensory-friendly film series. Join us for a sensory-friendly showing of the beloved Disney film, Moana. Sensory-friendly shows are an experience for all families, designed with special needs in mind. Admission is free and no registration is required. A caregiver or parent must be present with each child. Join us on Friday, Dec. 19, at 11:30 a.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• English Conversation Club. Meet other English language learners and work with our literacy staff and volunteer tutors. Join us from noon–1 p.m. on Tuesdays at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St., or on Saturdays at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave.  
• Storytime. Join us for 30-minute-long storytimes at the library. Children and their caregivers will enjoy interactive early learning, featuring stories, songs and fun! 
  • Belle Haven Library – Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m., Fridays at 5:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m.
  • Menlo Park Library – Thursdays at 10:15 a.m., Fridays at 10:15 a.m. and Saturdays at 11:15 a.m.
• Teen Media Nights. Teens, come watch movies and play video games in the library! Join us on Wednesdays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., or Fridays from 3:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. 
• Global Language Storytime: Hindi. Join us for a special storytime featuring stories, music and fun in Hindi! Participate on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10:30–11 a.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Teen Book Group: The Maze Runner. Check out our book group, just for teens aged 12–17! Join us to discuss this month's book, The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Participate on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Mystery Readers Group: Retellings. This month, mystery readers will be delving into the world of retellings of famous novels and stories! Join us online via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 6–7:15 p.m. Learn more.
• Middle Grade Book Group. Readers in grades six–12, join us to discuss this month's book, Sona and the Golden Beast by Rajani LaRocca. Participate on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Menlo Park Library, 800 Alma St. Learn more.
• Sci-Fi Fantasy Book Group. Join us in person or online for this month's book group meeting to talk about a pair of great tales: The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Naylor and Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo. Participate online via Zoom or at Belle Haven Library, 100 Terminal Ave., on Monday, Dec. 22, from 6:30–7:45 p.m. Learn more.

Check out more free community programs
The above was just a sample of the many free activities hosted by the City of Menlo Park this week. Check out the community events calendar to see them all!

Boxing classes 

Boxing classes will teach the fundamentals of footwork, proper punching technique, basic combinations, offense and defense while providing a full-body cardio workout.

Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma St.:

• Kids Boxing (eight–17): Wednesdays from 4–5 p.m. from Jan. 7–March 11
• Adult Boxing (18 and older): Mondays from 10–11 a.m. from Jan. 5–March 23

Winter 2026 Activity Guide is now open to all 

Learning is a lifelong adventure! The City of Menlo Park hosts a wide range of high-quality
recreational classes for all ages. City recreation centers host fitness, dance, sports, gymnastics, music, drama, arts, crafts, cooking and much more, all with a welcoming and supportive community spirit. Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned student, there's something to pique your interest. All classes are now open. Learn more.