ARLINGTON – The city will be getting into the holiday spirit starting Dec. 1.

That is the first day of the Arlington Fire Department’s Santa Run Food Drive. That’s when local firefighters, their families and friends escort Santa on a fire truck through neighborhoods. Santa passes out candy canes, while residents donate money and food for the Arlington Food Bank. The drive runs through Dec. 10. For a schedule and routes go to www.arlingtonwa.gov/santarun.

That Friday also is the first day pictures with Santa will be available from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Presidents Elementary. Moana and Olaf also will be there. The school’s Flight Choir will be performing at Arlington High School Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9 as part of A Very Merry Hometown Holiday.

On Dec. 2, the day kicks off with a Santa breakfast from 8:30 a.m.-noon at Presidents Elementary. A Handmade Holiday Fair will take place at Pioneer Hall from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and also Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. there will be crafts, fire pits and s’mores at Legion Park. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. there will be live music in the merchants parking lot.

The Santa Parade will be on Olympic Avenue at noon. The only entry fee is a food donation. Call 360-435-3448 for more.

That busy Saturday also includes tree lighting and Santa pictures starting at 12:30 p.m. at Legion Park. There will be wagon rides from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. that Saturday along with on Dec. 9 and 16.

A Holiday Vendor Fair takes place from 1-6 p.m. at Presidents Elementary.

Free movies will take place at Olympic Theatre, including the classics, “Charlie Brown Christmas” and “The Grinch that Stole Christmas.”

Cascade Valley Hospital’s Glitter and Gold fundraiser is at 6 p.m. at Gleneagle Country Club.

More fun is planned on Dec. 9, with the Hot Cocoa Run at 9 a.m., Nativity Movie at 7 p.m. at Olympic Theatre and Ladies Night at the Mud Hut from 6-9 p.m.

For more go to www.arlingtonwa.gov/HH.