Updated for 2023
From bustling city centers to idyllic coastal towns, Southern California’s Christmas tree lighting events are a beacon of hope and unity that capture the essence of the season. These events are not just about illuminating towering evergreens; they are about kindling the warmth of community spirit, fostering togetherness, and creating cherished memories that last a lifetime.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies to Start the Christmas Season in Southern California 2023
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Santa Monica
Thursday, November 16 | 6 p.m.
Downtown Santa Monica transforms with festive lights and decorations adorning the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets for the holiday season. Santa will make a special appearance for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, where he will illuminate the official City of Santa Monica holiday tree (located on the 1300 block of Third Street Promenade between Santa Monica Blvd and Arizona ) along with live entertainment from Westside Ballet, Samohi Choir and Lincoln Middle School’s Madrigals.
Cool Yule Tree Lighting Ceremony
Paséa Hotel & Spa, 21080 CA-1, Huntington Beach 92648
Join us on the Paséa Hotel & Spa Ocean Lawn for a magical holiday Tree Lighting event at the beach. Enjoy a dazzling performance from the Orange County Performing Arts Center holiday carolers, Santa visits, and shopping with local vendors as we light our 30-foot Christmas tree overlooking Pacific Coast Highway. Visitors will be welcomed with complimentary hot cocoa upon arrival, and are invited to nosh on other themed bites and delights during this seaside holiday experience. Free to the public. $12 valet parking for all attendees (with event wristband). Food and beverage available for purchase.
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s Tree Lighting Festival
34843 Rancho California Rd., Temecula, CA 92591
South Coast Winery Resort & Spa’s outdoor Tree Lighting Festival, happening on Sunday, November 26th, is full of fun and holiday surprises for the whole family. A wonderful variety of seasonal-inspired dishes, assorted Christmas cookies, and other delicious desserts will be available, along with a hot chocolate and cider station. Entertainment includes Christmas carolers and a DJ playing holiday music. There will also be tractor rides, horse and carriage rides, arts and crafts, photos with Santa, and the exciting tree lighting.
Related: See all the 2023 Christmas and Holiday Events
Downtown Culver City’s Annual Tree Lighting
Town Plaza in Downtown Culver City, CA 90232
Come to Culver City on Thursday, November 30th for a spectacular free celebratory show featuring a 22-foot artificial Rocky Mountain pine adorned with 7500 warm LED lights, a special visit from Santa, Festive holiday game booths, and Cookie treat bags from Downtown businesses. You can see Santa Claus as he makes a very special visit, bringing the North Pole here to Culver City! Including snow and sledding!
Related: Where to get a Christmas Tree in SoCal
Magical Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Terranea Resort
100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Saturday, November 25, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Terranea Resort officially heralds in the holiday season by cordially inviting guests from far and near and the whole Palos Verdes community to participate in all the oceanfront festive merrymaking with complimentary admission to its joyous lighting of a majestic 30-foot dazzling holiday tree with its glittering star topper – at the Front Drive Fountain. Admission is complimentary; attendees are kindly asked to donate an unwrapped gift to Toys for Tots.
The event features entertainment, including caroling by The Joanna Medawar Nachef Singers and a performance from “The Nutcracker” by the San Pedro Ballet School. Memorable family fun takes place when kids are photographed taking a pretend sleighride with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. There will be a sleek Lexus vehicle on display ribboned as a Christmas gift and reindeer petting. Guests of all ages are invited to send personalized postcards directly to Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole. The resort’s Gingerbread House Decorating Kit is offered for creating fun-at-home – with frosting, candies and more. For refreshments, hot chocolate and hot apple cider stations will be available, as well as a cash bar, gingerbread cookie decorating, and decorated cookies will be on-sale. To add to the fun, there will be s’mores by the fire and a popcorn machine.
LA County Tree Lighting Ceremony
Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012
November 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.: Bring the whole family, grab your friends and co-workers for the L.A. County Tree Lighting on Jerry Moss Plaza! From decking our halls and theatres to gathering around a magnificent 75-foot-tall tree dressed in its holiday finest, it’s going to be a sensational start to a season of celebration in Downtown Los Angeles.
Related: Get Photos with Santa Claus
Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Grove
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles 90036
The 22nd annual “Christmas at The Grove” Tree Lighting Celebration returns on November 13 at 7pm, featuring a star-studded show of musical performances by David Foster, Katharine McPhee and other special guests. Presented in partnership with Fisker, Afterpay and Hallmark Channel, the celebration will conclude with the lighting of a 100-foot-tall white fir Christmas tree, set against the backdrop of a wintery snowfall and sparkling firework show. The festive show will also be available to watch live from the comfort of your home through streaming service VEEPS.
Union Station Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Union Station has never been brighter. The iconic downtown destination returns as a hub for the holidays on Nov. 20th, summoning the sights and sounds of the season with the Annual Tree Lighting under the stars. See their website for more info. This is a free event and is open to the public.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Promenade at Westlake
140 Promenade Way, Thousand Oaks 91362
The Promenade at Westlake will host its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 17 at 7pm, featuring a whimsical holiday show and family-friendly event, complete with musical performances, snow, fireworks and a very merry welcome from Santa Claus. Guests are encouraged to come early at 5pm and enjoy strolling entertainment through the center, along with a curated Holiday Market with treats and in-store specials from nearby retailers and restaurants like Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, World Market, Sweetfin, Shake Shack and more.
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel — Holiday Events
One Ritz-Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel annual tree lighting celebration returns on Sunday, November 19, from 4 – 7pm, and promises to be the most magical kickoff to the holidays! This year marks the first ever tree lighting event that will be held on Dana Lawn, overlooking the ocean. Join us for an evening filled with holiday performances, sumptuous fare, and seasonal activations for the whole family all while revelers await Santa himself to light the majestic 40ft. tall tree. Guests will have the option to make a donation to our holiday charity partner, Surfers Healing, an organization that aims to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing.
City of Covina Tree Lighting Ceremony
Heritage Park, 400 N. Citrus Ave, Covina 91723
Come out to Covina on November 17, 2023 at 6pm for their annual tree lighting ceremony. This free event will feature horse-drawn wagon rides, children’s train rides, crafts, letters to Santa, Holiday carolers, a hot chocolate bar, photos with Santa, and more!
Related: See Christmas Lights and Light Shows in Los Angeles
Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession
Plaza Park, Intersection of Glassell and Chapman Avenue, Orange, California 92866
Head to the City of Orange on Sunday, December 3rd for their annual tree lighting ceremony and candlelight choir procession.
Christmas Tree Lighting – City Hall of Laguna
30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Join us for the City of Laguna Niguel’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 2nd at 5pm. Experience the holiday magic with an evening full of games, crafts, performances, Christmas treats, and a visit from Santa.
Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills 90210
The annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration will take place on Thursday, November 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring a special, live performance by Emmy Award-winning actor and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph. Continuing a holiday tradition on Rodeo Drive, thousands are expected to gather on the iconic, palm tree-dotted luxury fashion street to be among the first to see this year’s holiday lights and decor-themed Up, Up & Away Holiday!
At three stages along the iconic street, featured performances will include sets from The Wallis’s critically-acclaimed theatrical experience LOVE ACTUALLY LIVE , heartfelt holiday tunes from The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), performances by The Maccabeats, LA-based Bollywood dance sensation Nazara, harmonious renditions of beloved holiday tunes from The Four Parts Barbershop Quartet and Winter Wonderland Carolers, and much more.
Tree Lighting at 2nd & PCH
6400 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach 90803
Light Up the Night – Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival – November 16th
Join us for an unforgettable evening at 2ND & PCH as we kick off the holiday season with the Tree Lighting and the Santa Arrival! Get ready to be amazed by the magical atmosphere and the twinkling lights that will light up the night. Bring your family and friends to witness the grand moment when the magnificent tree comes to life in all its glory. And guess who’s coming to town? Yes, it’s the one and only Santa Claus! Watch as Santa arrives in style, spreading joy and cheer to all. Don’t forget to bring your cameras to capture this special moment with the jolly old man himself! It’s an event you don’t want to miss!
Citadel Outlets – Lighting of California’s Tallest Fresh Cut Christmas Tree
Citadel Center Court, 100 Citadel Dr., Commerce, CA 90040
All is wonderful and bright in Southern California as Citadel Outlets kicks off the holiday season with its 22nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Concert on Saturday, November 11. Santa Claus will lead the countdown to lighting California’s tallest fresh cut Christmas tree and the concert will feature performances from Futurepop, Orange County School of the Arts, Nayah Damasen and three-time Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum-selling recording artist Pentatonix will headline. This free family-friendly holiday tradition is the jumpstart to many seasonal events hosted at Citadel Outlets throughout November and December, including the center’s nightly snow show spectacular and additional appearances by Santa Claus.
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Santa Fe Springs
Soaring Dreams Plaza (Telegraph Rd. and Pioneer Blvd.), Santa Fe Springs 90670
Kick off the holiday season by joining us for our Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 2nd, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Soaring Dreams Plaza (Telegraph Rd. and Pioneer Blvd.). There will be crafts, activities, and a frosty snow sledding area for all ages. Don’t miss a photo opportunity with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa’s elves. Santa will be available for photos at the cost of $2 per picture for those kids eager to tell Santa their Christmas wishes. Free treats will be available for all in attendance while supplies last.
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Union Station
Los Angeles Union Station, 800 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles 90012
Los Angeles Union Station announced today that its 8th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Monday, Nov. 20th at 6pm. Live musical performances and special guests from the North Pole will help create a magical, family-friendly holiday event on Union Station’s South Patio. Featuring: Mariachi Los Servidores, as well as The Beverly Belles. Special guests from the North Pole will offer photo opportunities, arts and crafts and a variety of other activities sure to delight guests of all ages. This joyous event is free for all ages and open to the public.
SoCal Christmas Traditions
Here in SoCal, where palm trees sway against a backdrop of endless sunshine, the arrival of the holiday season casts a magical transformation over the landscape. As the days grow shorter and the air becomes cooler, communities throughout the region come together to celebrate one of the most cherished traditions of all: lighting up the night with the splendor of Christmas trees.
Nothing kicks off the holiday season better than watching as the Christmas trees are lighted!
Southern California’s Christmas tree lighting events are as diverse as the region itself. While you won’t find snow-covered streets or horse-drawn sleighs, you will discover a unique blend of holiday magic that embraces the area’s distinctive charm.
Families, friends, and neighbors can unite to watch as these beautifully-decorated Christmas trees are lit up for the season, often accompanied by carolers and festive treats.
You can expect to find festive music and lively performances that bring joy to the hearts of attendees. Many events offer hot cocoa, seasonal treats, and opportunities to meet Santa Claus himself, creating magical moments for the young and young at heart.
Local businesses, schools, and organizations often come together to sponsor and participate in these celebrations. This collaborative effort reinforces the strong bonds that tie communities together and serves as a reminder of the importance of giving back during the holiday season.
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