Palo Alto Holiday Toy Drive
Community members participate by dropping off new, unwrapped toys, books, and gift cards to help local youth during the holidays. Collection bins are stationed across Palo Alto at community centers, local libraries, and fire stations. Donors can select any designated neighborhood drop-off point to deliver their contributions.
Nov 1 – Dec 16, 2026 All ages
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Plan Your Visit
Hours
Displayed overall window: 08:30 AM on November 1 to 05:30 PM on December 16; community centers Mon–Fri 8:30–5:30 p.m.; Mitchell Park Library Tue–Thu 10 a.m.–9 p.m. and Fri–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; College Terrace Library Thu–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Downtown Library Tue–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Children's Library Tue–Thu and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Rinconada Library Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Thu 12–8 p.m.; fire stations Mon–Sun 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Use a Palo Alto fire station if you need to drop off on a Sunday or Monday, since the fire stations accept donations every day of the week.
- Bring only new, unwrapped toys, books or gift cards, because the drive asks for unwrapped gifts that go straight to local youth in need.
- Don't head to a library on a Monday, because none of the participating libraries take drop-offs that day and College Terrace only opens Thursday through Saturday.
- Choose Lucie Stern or Mitchell Park Community Center for a weekday drop-off, since both centers accept donations Monday through Friday only.
- Get your gifts in by December 16, because the drive stops accepting donations after that date.
Links & Contact
Run by City of Palo Alto Community Services Department
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of gifts can I donate?
New, unwrapped toys, books, gift cards and other gifts. Everything collected goes to local youth in need this holiday season.
Do donations need to be wrapped?
No. Please bring gifts new and unwrapped.
Which spots take drop-offs?
You can drop off at Lucie Stern and Mitchell Park community centers, at the Mitchell Park, Rinconada, College Terrace, Downtown and Children's libraries, and at Palo Alto Fire Stations 1 through 6.
Can I drop off on a weekend?
Yes. Fire stations take donations every day of the week. Several libraries are open Saturdays, and Rinconada Library is also open Sundays. The community centers take drop-offs on weekdays only.
Is there a map of the drop-off locations?
Yes, there's an online map showing all the community center, library and fire station drop-off points.
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