The lighting of the Christmas Tree is one of the top traditions of the holiday season. Below is a list of Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies that we have rounded up being held throughout California.
Originally Published: November 15, 2018 – Last Updated: November 16, 2018
Don’t see your community holiday tree ceremony in this list? Let us know about it in the comments!
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Northern California
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Alameda County
City of Alameda Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Alameda, California | Saturday, December 8, 2018 • 4:30 pm to 6:15 pm
Alameda City Hall
2263 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda, CA 94501
Come and enjoy performances from community groups followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony and The Mistletones’ Rockin’ Holiday Show.
This event is free and will be held rain or shine.
35th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dublin, California | Thursday, November 29, 2018 • 7:00 pm
Dublin Civic Center
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Enjoy lively seasonal entertainment with cookies and hot cocoa after the performance. Also, be on the lookout for a surprise appearance by a very special visitor from the North Pole!
Admission is free.
Holiday Tree Lighting and Community Parade
Emeryville, California | Friday, December 7, 2018 • 5:30pm Parade 6:00pm Tree Lighting Ceremony
Parade starts at ECDC
Tree Lighting at City Hall
1333 Park Avenue
Emeryville, CA 94608
Some of the fun includes a parade at 5:30pm. Grab a seat on the curb and enjoy the parade! After the parade head down to City Hall and enjoy, entertainment, Tree Lighting and Santa.
Niles District’s Annual Festival of Lights Tree Lighting and Parade
Fremont, California | Friday, November 23, 2018 • 6:00 pm Tree Lighting Ceremony • 6:30 pm Parade kicks off!
The annual parade and festivities are held on the Friday after the Thanksgiving Holiday and is preceded by the Niles Tree Lighting. This holiday celebration draws more than 15,000 spectators to watch over 60 entries from throughout the Bay Area. Entries include; marching bands, creative floats, dance and drill teams, equestrians and special guest celebrities.
Hometown Holiday Celebration
Pleasanton, California | Saturday, December 1, 2018
5:00 pm Parade • 6:45pm Tree Lighting Ceremony
Main Street, Pleasanton
Pleasanton celebrates the season with the annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting with floats, marching bands, community groups and more as the hometown tradition marches down Main Street. After the parade, the mayor will light the tree, there will be musical entertainment and an appearance by Santa.
Downtown San Leandro Holiday Tree Lighting “It’s A Wonderful Night” Holiday Celebration
Downtown San Leandro, California | Friday, December 7, 2018 • 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Estudillo Plaza
1301 E. 14th St.
San Leandro, CA 94577
The San Leandro Improvement Association (SLIA) invites the community to the Holiday Tree Lighting in Estudillo Plaza and photos with Santa Claus in the plaza. Returning this year is the “Holiday Tree Lane”, a row of artificial holiday trees donated by the SLIA and decorated by local San Leandro schools. The trees line the pathway from Washington Ave. to E. 14th Street. “It’s A Wonderful Night” will be a magical winter wonderland filled with holiday entertainment, dancers and singers, holiday games, cookie decorating, interactive arts and crafts for kids and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Contra Costa County
Celebrate Antioch 2018 Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Antioch, California | Saturday, December 1, 2018 • 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
City Hall Tree Lighting 6:00 pm
Light Boat Parade 6:15 pm
Holiday Street Fair on G Street 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Annual Caroling Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting
Clayton, California | Saturday, December 1, 2018 • 6:00 pm
Downtown Clayton – Grove Park to Main and Oak Streets
Rain or Shine – tentative Carriage Rides 4:30-6:30; Caroling 6pm; Tree Lighting 6:30 pm.
Concord’s Official Tree-Lighting, Carriage Rides, Mayor’s Sing-Along and Santa’s Grand Arrival
Concord, California | Saturday, December 1, 2018 • 6:00 pm
Santa’s Arrival: 4 p.m.
On-stage entertainment: 5 p.m.
School choirs and community entertainment on stage with traditional tree-lighting and holiday sing-along.
Lighting of Old Oak Tree
Danville, California | Friday, November 23, 2018 • 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Diablo Road | Old Oak Tree
Make memories with your loved ones at Danville’s annual tree lighting ceremony. Watch as Father Christmas and the Snow Angel sprinkle a little magic dust on the old oak tree and bring it to light. Warm feelings will quickly quell the cool air as local choral groups provide musical accompaniment and neighborhood businesses pass out hot beverages. Want to keep the magic going? Stroll downtown and enjoy refreshments, entertainment, and holiday shopping through the festively decorated streets.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Marin County
The San Rafael 38th Annual Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland
San Rafael, California | Friday, November 23, 2018 & Saturday, November 24, 2018
Friday, November 23, 2018
Snow Sledding Noon to 4:30 PM & 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Marketplace Noon to 8:00 PM
Parade of Lights & Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony at 5:30 PM
Fourth Street ~ B Street to Lootens, San Rafael, CA
Saturday, November 24, 2018
Snow & Kids’ activities 9:00 AM to Noon
A Street ~ Fourth to Fifth
RAIN OR SHINE!*
* In case of rain, snow activities may be suspended if the snow sledding is a public safety issue.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in San Francisco County
PIER 39 Tree Lighting Celebration
San Francisco, California | Wednesday, November 21, 2018 • Noon to 6 pm
PIER 39
Beach Street & The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94133
PIER 39 invites you to join our special friends from the Disneyland Resort at the annual PIER 39 Tree Lighting Celebration on Sunday, November 19th. Experience the magic – sing songs, see your Disney friends and welcome the Holiday season with a day of holly-jolly magic for the entire family! The fun culminates at 6pm when we illuminate PIER 39’s majestic 60 foot tree against the stunning backdrop of the San Francisco city skyline.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in San Joaquin County
City of Stockton Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Stockton, California | Saturday, December 1, 2018
Weber Point Events Center
221 N. Center Street
Stockton, California
Caroling, horse carriage rides, fabulous light show, a special visit from Santa and Frosty, and so much more! Admission is free. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with lots of fun and festivities for the entire family. Tree Lighting Ceremony at approximately 5:30 p.m., followed by the Marina West Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Sonoma County
Winter Lights – Downtown Santa Rosa Tree Lighting Celebration
Santa Rosa, California | Friday, November 23, 2018 • 4:00pm-8:00pm
Courthouse Square
Downtown Santa Rosa’s annual tree lighting event – Winter Lights – brings together the community to celebrate the holidays with activities for all ages. This beloved celebration is free and open to the public.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Central California
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in San Luis Obispo County
Holiday Harmony & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Pismo Beach, California | Friday, December 7, 2018 • 5:30pm-7:30pm
Pismo Beach Pier
This event is FREE to the public and the evening will include fresh snow, bounce houses, crafts, music, and cookie decorating. The Tree Lighting ceremony will take place at 6:00 PM. In addition, kids will have the chance to visit and take a picture with Santa!
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Santa Barbara County
Solvang Julefest Tree Lighting
Solvang, California | Friday, December 7, 2018 • 5:00pm-6:30pm
Solvang Park (Mission Drive & First Street)
Enjoy free live entertainment with dancing ballerinas, bands, caroling and the arrival of Santa Claus to Solvang.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Southern California
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Los Angeles County
City of Cerritos Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Event
Cerritos, California | Monday, November 19, 2018 • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The free event will feature entertainment by local music groups, carolers, children’s crafts and fun for the entire family. Santa Claus will be available for photo opportunities, and residents are encouraged to bring their cameras. The Cerritos City Council will light the City’s Christmas tree at 6 p.m.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Orange County
2nd Annual Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
Aliso Viejo, California | Thursday, November 29, 2018 • 5:30 PM – 8 PM
Grand Park at Aliso Town Center
City Lights Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA
Kick off the holiday season at the City of Aliso Viejo’s 2nd Annual Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting event in the Town Center plaza. Bring the entire family for some holiday cheer, photo opportunities, crafts and more!
City of Laguna Niguel’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Laguna Niguel, California | Saturday, December 1, 2018 • 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
City Hall Community Room
30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Join us for a Christmas party as we light our community tree in this magical ceremony! Crafts, sweets, and whimsical treats will be available in the land of snowflakes, candy canes, and sugar plum fairies! Santa will be there, so don’t forget your camera! Bring your loved ones and neighbors, family members, and friends; please leave your pets at home.
City of San Juan Capistrano Tree Lighting & Christmas at the Mission 2018
Mission San Juan Capistrano | Saturday, December 1, 2018 • 4:15pm – 8:00 pm
Historic Town Center Park – Tree Lighting Ceremony
Mission San Juan Capistrano, CA – Christmas at the Mission
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free Event for Mission Members!
Ring in the holiday season at historic Mission San Juan Capistrano! This special tradition is held in conjunction with the City of San Juan Capistrano’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and features a whole community-wide holiday celebration in the historic downtown.
The City of San Juan Capistrano’s Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 4:15p.m. at Historic Town Center Park. Following the Tree Lighting, Gates open at the Mission at 5:30 p.m. Bring the whole family to enjoy this festive and unique evening together at the beautiful Mission.
Christmas at the Mission features: Snow sledding and snow play for kids! Bring your mittens! $3 for Members and $5 for Non-Members; Ringing of the historic bells; Live music performances including choirs and mariachis; Crafts for kids including cookie decorating and card-making for military men and women – Free with admission!; Nativity Scene in the ruins of the Great Stone Church; Food vendors serving tamales, beef chili, Christmas sweets, spiced cider, hot cocoa and coffee; Holiday shopping at the Mission Store and more!
Fashion Island’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Newport Beach, California | Thursday, Nov 16, 2018 – Friday, Nov 17, 2018
Neiman Marcus – Bloomingdale’s Courtyard
401 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA
Hosted by Stephen “tWitch” Boss and Allison Holker, enjoy a 25-minute live musical show by The Young Americans, a visit from Santa, a magical snowfall, and, of course, the highly-anticipated lighting of the tree!
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in San Diego County
Julian’s Country Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Julian, California | Friday, November 24, 2018 • 2:00 pm
Julian kicks off the holiday season with the annual lighting of the town’s huge living Christmas tree, presented by the Julian Merchants Association. This is a popular event, drawing hundreds of visitors who gather at Pioneer Park to watch the lighting and visit with Santa. Festivities start at 2:00 pm. Join Master of ceremonies, introducing this year’s participants in Julian’s Country Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration!
Oceanside Holiday Tree Lighting
Regal Plaza
401 Mission Avenue
Oceanside, California | December 6, 2018 • 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Oceanside kicks off the Holiday Season with a splash! The annual Tree Lighting event is once again taking place in conjunction with the Holiday Sunset Market. Music and festivities will begin at 5:00 p.m. Enjoy beautiful decorations, live music, family-friendly entertainment and games, horse and carriage rides, amusement rides, zip lines, bounce houses and more. There will be free cookies and milk for children and free holiday arts and crafts projects. At 6:00 p.m. a special guest will arrive on a vintage Oceanside fire truck, and will assist city officials in the tree lighting count down! Santa will stay for photos after the tree lighting, so please bring your camera to snap your family photos. Come and enjoy this family tradition! Afterwards, shop local and enjoy the Sunset Market for your gift-giving needs. Free parking is available in the Civic Center parking structure and at the Oceanside Transit Center.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Ventura County
Downtown Oxnard 68th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Oxnard, California | Friday, November 30, 2018 • 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Plaza Park
500 S C Street
Oxnard, CA 93030
Join community leaders, Downtown merchants, and friends in a festive tradition going back six decades to light up the County’s tallest Christmas tree – 110 feet high! Entertainment, complimentary refreshments, and Santa’s arrival ring in the season. FREE.
Events and details are subject to change. Please confirm with event organizers before going.
If you would like to add another upcoming tree lighting ceremony to this page, please tell us about it in the comments below or please contact us.
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