Holiday happenings in the city

Tomorrow is the deadline to get letters to Santa mailed via the North Pole Express, located in the Waltham Common’s gazebo. Remember to include a return address on all letters in case Santa has time to reply. And Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. is the annual Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony in the City Council chambers on City Hall’s second floor. Hanukkah this year begins Tuesday and continues through Dec. 28. For local holiday giving, consider making a donation to Waltham’s Community Day Center, an organization that serves the homeless and other people in need of assistance. The center is giving out backpacks filled with personal care products and winter supplies at its holiday party Thursday. Each bag costs about $25 to put together. Contact Marilyn Lee-Tom at 617-960-7793 or director@communitydaycenter.org. - Megan McKee