Happy December, Whittier! Read below for information on all of the festive fun we have lined up for you and your family all month long including a tree lighting at City Hall and the annual Uptown Christmas Parade.

Additionally, our Parks, Recreation, and Community Services staff is coordinating our "Letters to Santa" campaign through December 13th, and the Whittier Public Library will host a variety of holiday-themed activities like the "What's Playing at the Library" music series and a Wacky Winter Adventure puppet show for kids. Visit the Whittier Public Library website for a complete calendar of events and programming.

City Hall and most City facilities will be closed beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 24 and will reopen with regular hours on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Please scroll down for additional information on holiday hours, trash service, and building inspections during the break.

It's been another great year in Whittier and there's much to look forward to in 2025. On behalf of the Whittier City Council and City staff, I wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season with your loved ones and we look forward to serving you in the New Year. Remember to SHOP WHITTIER for the holidays!

Brian Saeki, City Manager

Exciting changes are coming to the City of Whittier as part of the Gateway Cities Regional Fiber Network project.

This ambitious initiative, funded by $103.1 million from the State of California, will create a 127-mile fiber optic network connecting 25 Gateway Cities City Halls and bringing affordable, high-speed internet to over 131,000 unserved residents. The project will provide equitable access to broadband and help bridge the digital divide, making our community more competitive in the digital economy and at no cost to taxpayers.

Construction is set to begin soon, with completion targeted within two years. Advanced, minimally invasive techniques will be used to minimize disruption to streets and utilities during installation. This network will not only enhance connectivity for residents but also support efficient City services, improve access to education, and increase economic opportunities. For more information, please contact the Whittier City Clerk's Department at 562-567-9850.

The City of Whittier recently introduced PAYA, a new, enhanced water utility payment portal designed to better serve our customers. This upgraded portal maintains the high-level security and customer service Whittier residents have come to expect, while offering a more user-friendly experience. The new portal provides additional ways to manage your account and make payments online or via text.

Special features include easy enrollment in Auto Pay, email notifications, Text-N-Pay options, access to historical bill and payment data, and multilingual capabilities. To register your account online, please visit https://cityofwhittier.payacp.com/home. Should you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact the Public Works Customer Service line at (562) 567-9530.

Bring on the holiday season with the City of Whittier's Holiday Tree Lighting on Monday, December 2nd from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Whittier City Hall (13230 Penn Street). Enjoy festive holiday tunes, fun seasonal crafts, sweet treats, and the magical lighting of our 26-ft. holiday tree at 5:45 p.m. This free family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick off the season and spread holiday cheer in Whittier! For more information, call (562) 567-9450.

The Whittier Public Library invites you to a night of festive tunes. Join us on Thursday, December 5 at 6:00 p.m. for a festive performance of "Holiday Top Ten" with The Alley Cats at the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave). Celebrate the season with 10 classic American Christmas songs in the lively Doo-Wop style, complete with fun stories and song backgrounds. This family-friendly event is a perfect way to kick off the holidays, and it’s presented in partnership with The Music Center's Arts Grown L.A. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable night of music and holiday cheer! For more info, call 562-567-9900.

Feeling festive? Don't miss the annual Grand Illumination at Rick’s Drive In & Out in Uptown (7254 Greenleaf Ave.) on Friday, December 6th, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The tree lighting ceremony kicks off at 6:00 p.m., followed by music and dance performances from local favorites. Enjoy free hot chocolate, courtesy of Rick’s, to keep you warm, and snap photos with Santa to capture the holiday magic. The event is brought to you by the Whittier Uptown Association and Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please contact the Whittier Uptown Association at (562) 696-2662 or email info@whittieruptown.org.

Hey Teens! Grab your popcorn and join us on Friday, December 6th at 5:30pm for an epic movie night at the library! We've got the big screen, cozy vibes, and all the snacks you need for a perfect Friday night out with friends. This month we are showing Elf (2003)(PG) at the Whittwood Branch Library (10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave.) Call for more information: (562) 567-9950  Important: This program takes place after the library's open hours so make sure you have a scheduled pick-up after the program is over.  

The Whittier Parks, Recreation & Community Services team invites you to Cookies with Santa on Saturday, December 7th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Join us at our new location in front of Whittier City Hall (13230 Penn Street) for holiday photos with Santa (or the Grinch!) and bring your phone or camera to capture the memories, but please be in line no later than noon.

Families can make festive crafts and enjoy tasty treats at this free holiday event and registration is not required. For more information, please call (562) 567-9450.

Get ready to embrace the holiday spirit at the Whittier Public Library! Visit the Central Library (7344 Washington Ave.) on Saturday, December 7th, for a special back-to-back showing of four holiday favorites, featuring big-city career women rediscovering hometown charm, small-town hunks or royal bachelors, and festive miracles saving failing family businesses. Relax with a cup of hot cocoa as you enjoy one movie or all four, or drop in at your leisure. Can’t make it? Stream the featured films and more from the Hallmark and Lifetime holiday collections using your Whittier Public Library card on the Kanopy app or binge the entire Hallmark collection with Hoopla’s Bingepass. Visit the Library's website for showtimes, movie titles, and questions, or call (562) 567-9900. Tis the season!

Join us on Saturday, December 7th, along Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier for the annual Holiday Sonata! This festive event will feature live music performances by local talent, including Studio Danza, Dance Image, and various local school bands and choirs, bringing holiday cheer to the streets of Uptown. Enjoy browsing a variety of local small business vendors, dine out at one of Whittier's best restaurants, and get your photo taken with Santa and the Grinch. There's sure to be fun for the whole family, courtesy of the Whittier Uptown Association. For further information, please contact the Whittier Uptown Association at (562) 696-2662.

Join the Whittier High School Alumni Association for a community holiday celebration on Sunday, December 8th, at 2:00 p.m. at Whittier High School's Vic Lopez Auditorium (12417 E. Philadelphia St.). Enjoy a live musical performance, a community sing-a-long, and free professional photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus before and after the concert. This is a family favorite locals won't want to miss! For more information or to sponsor the event, please email WhittierHolidayCelebration@gmail.com.

Start the new year with a stress-free trip to the Pasadena Rose Parade! Join us on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, for this all-ages excursion. Transportation and bleacher seating are included for just $75 per person. The bus departs from the Whittier Community Center (7630 Washington Avenue) at 5:30 a.m., with the parade beginning at 8:00 a.m. Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, December 9th and sells out quickly! Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the iconic floats, marching bands, and festivities. For questions, call (562) 567-9470 or register at WhittierRec.com.

Calling all teen bookworms! Attend a monthly Teen Book Club get together – no assigned readings and no registration needed. Discuss your latest reads, discover new favorites, and get crafty with book-themed activities as well as complimentary boba! The meeting will be held Tuesday, December 10th at 5:30 p.m. at the Whittwood Branch Library (10537 Santa Gertrudes Ave). For more information, please call (562) 567-9900.

Were you good this year? Fast track your letter to Santa with the City of Whittier by creating your own letter or downloading a template that can also be picked up in person at one of our City facilities.

Drop off your special message to Santa with a self-addressed stamped envelope at one of our Santa Express mailboxes located at City Hall and the Whittier Community Center. To ensure the big guy gets your letter in time to send back your personalized response, please turn in your letter no later than December 13th. Call City staff at (562) 567-9450 with questions or to request the form directly. Ho ho... hurry up!

Calling all tweens! Join the Whittier Public Library for a fun, age appropriate movie experience on Friday, December, 13th at 3:00 p.m. Students in grades 5 through 8 can enjoy a cool holiday movie and festive snacks. This seasonal film feature combines the holidays of Halloween and Christmas... can you guess what the movie is? Space is limited; please call the Children's Reference desk at (562) 567-9900 to secure your spot.

Mark your calendar for the 70th Annual Uptown Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14th at 10:00 a.m. in Uptown Whittier. Don't miss your favorite floats, fun performances by local schools and organizations, appearances from the Whittier City Council and local dignitaries, and other holiday festivities happening along Greenleaf Avenue from Hadley through Mar Vista. Come early and stay to shop! For more parade information, please contact the Whittier Uptown Association at (562) 696-2662 or email info@whittieruptown.org.

Celebrate the holiday magic at Santa’s Village, hosted by the Uptown Whittier Improvement Association, on Saturday, December 21st and Sunday, December 22nd, at the City-owned grassy lot across from Mimo's (6724 Greenleaf Ave.) beginning at 12:00 p.m. Snap photos with Santa for $10, or snag them free with a $25 purchase at participating Uptown Whittier businesses. Take advantage of complimentary gift wrapping with a $75 local purchase and immerse yourself in the festivities with a live DJ, face painting, and holiday crafts for the kids. Don’t miss this chance to make cherished holiday memories in Uptown Whittier! For more information, please contact the Whittier Uptown Association at (562) 696-2662 or email info@whittieruptown.org.

As a reminder, Whittier City Hall will close on Wednesday, December 24 at 12:00 p.m. in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays and will resume normal business hours on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Recreation facilities including the Whittier Community Center and Parnell Park Senior Center will be closed from December 24 through January 2. The Uptown Whittier Senior Center will be open December 26, 27, 30 and 31 for Senior Lunches from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

A limited number of prescheduled building inspections will be performed between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on December 26, 27, and 30. Please note that no inspections will be performed on December 31 and January 1 and normal inspections will resume on January 2, 2025. To pre-schedule an inspection for December 26, 27, or 30, please call (562) 567-9320 as soon as possible. Online submittals and new applications submitted at the building counter will be accepted until December 20 and will resume on January 2, 2025. 

Because the Christmas Day and New Year's Day holidays fall on Wednesdays, trash service will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. Both trash haulers will offer Christmas tree collection beginning December 26 through January 18, 2025, at no extra charge. Please remember to remove the stand, all ornaments, lights, garland and tinsel prior to disposal as trees will be chipped and composted, and trees taller than 6 feet should also be cut in half. Place your tree next to your trash container on your regular collection day. 

Should you need to dispose of your holiday tree after the collection period, cut your tree into small enough pieces so that you can place them in your green container with the lid properly closed. Questions? Call your trash hauler: Athens Services at (888) 336-6100 or Republic Services at (562) 347-2100. 

We wish you and yours a safe and relaxing holiday break!

Attention swimmers and water polo players! Get certified as an American Red Cross Lifeguard and unlock a variety of job opportunities. Whether at public pools, water parks, hotels, resorts, or even City positions, this training provides skills that can take you anywhere. With flexible hours and growth potential, it’s an ideal part-time job, especially for students. Classes begin on December 30th and run through January 3, 2025, at Palm Park (5703 Palm Ave.). Registration is open to individuals age 15 and older and the cost is $175 per person. Register at WhittierRec.com to secure your spot today! For more information, call (562) 567-9495.