Mill Valley Gets Its Holiday Groove Back

After a two-year hiatus, is back –  in a big way.

For the next two weekends, downtown Mill Valley will be jam-packed with fun for the whole family – including those on four legs. From caroling on the Depot Plaza to a special photo shoot for your pooch and a day of sledding in the snow, this year's variety of activities is sure to make up for the, ahem, austerity of the past two holiday seasons in town.

To get all the members of your gang into the spirit, pack up your furry friends and head over to Alpha Dog for their fourth annual "Santa Tails" this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here's your chance to prove to the world that you don't actually look like your dog (or maybe that you do). A $20 donation to the Marin Humane Society will get you a 5" x 7" photo with Santa and your pet by Mill Valley photographer Allison Levenson. All pets are welcome.

On Sunday, Santa Claus makes another cameo appearance, this time at Henry's Toy Shop, from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The holiday mood continues with traditional caroling on the Depot Plaza by way of local singing group SingersMarin. At approximately 5:15 p.m., Mill Valley Mayor Stephanie Moulton-Peters will perform one of her most important civic duties – the tree lighting ceremony. You'll be able to warm your tummies with hot cider and special treats courtesy of Balboa Café, and give back to those in need by bringing unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots barrel.

Santa returns to downtown Mill Valley next Saturday, Dec. 11, setting up shop at Maison Reve at 108 Throckmorton Avenue. Children accompanied by a parent can create special snowflakes which will then hang in the store's window display, and have their photos taken with Santa. The first 50 children will receive a free organic snow cone.

Alpha Dog serves up a double dose of pet-related holiday cuteness next weekend, harkening back to the days when Gumps in downtown San Francisco had puppies for adoption in its windows as a holiday tradition. Alpha Dog's windows will house some very special guest residents: adorable puppies available for adoption. Parents be warned: if your little one is begging for a dog, you may need to steer clear of Miller Ave., or at least have a good answer ready for their puppy pleas.

Fortify yourself with a hearty breakfast at Balboa Café with Santa and his Elf on Sunday Dec. 12 (and again on Dec. 19). Santa will be feeling photogenic that day, so here's another chance for the ever-elusive holiday card photo. Call 415.381.7321 for more information or to make a reservation.

The holiday activities reach their crescendo Sunday when downtown Mill Valley makes its transformation into a village in the Alps, if only for a few fleeting hours. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., snow piles will magically replace the cars in the Depot parking lot, where the young (and young at heart) can ride their sleds down a bona fide snow ramp. Throughout the day, festive treats will abound: Santa arriving on an antique fire truck; carols by the children's of SingersMarin; free hot chocolate and signature items from Piazza d'Angelo; a surprise performance from a Mill Valley music group; and chestnuts roasting on a open fire to round out the picture.

The bottom line: It looks like Mill Valley's got its holiday groove back. Go to the City of Mill Valley's website for more information.