The reference is usually Christmas came early. In this case, it came two weeks late.
Rain canceled the annual Downtown Santa Ana holiday celebration on Christmas Eve. But on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 8, some expected 500 families gathered for the rescheduled event, with children receiving donated presents and families receiving supplies of food. Volunteers had not wanted them to feel forgotten, one of the organizers said.
Liam Estuardo Mendez holds on to his toy haul as he leaves the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
James Sandoval, right, chats with friends as he waits to enter the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Arianna Anguiano holds on to her fireman’s helmet during the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mineidy (cq) Dominguez, 5, left, shares a laugh with her sister, Luna Dominguez 3, during the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors wait to enter the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Colunteer Elsa Munsell helps Madison Cardoso, 4, choose a toy during the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Beatrice Covarrubias holds her son, Nathan Salgado, 1, as they wait to enter the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ayleen Sandoval checks out a doll she got during the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Khyrah Olivares, 5, and her brother, Joel Olivares, 4, walk with their mother, EIleen Olivares as they leave the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento walks kids in to the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Liam Estuardo Mendez holds on to his toy haul as he leaves the annual Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Celebration in Santa Ana, CA, on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The event, usually a party, was cancelled due to rain and reschdueld as a toy/food distribution event. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Second District OC Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento’s office partnered with the nonprofits Neutral Ground, Suavecito Foundation and United Across Borders Foundation to gift local children more than 1,000 toys, in addition to clothing, shoes and hair products.
