Here’s a comprehensive list of all the Tree Lighting ceremonies in the Greater Pasadena area.
By Brian Rodriguez
Monday, December 1
– San Gabriel
San Gabriel (Photo – sangabrielcity.com).
Ring in the holidays at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Tuesday, December 2. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. with local schools performing some of your favorite holiday tunes. While your children make holiday decorations to hang on the trees in Plaza Park, you can enjoy a cup of cocoa, meet new friends, and renew acquaintances. The holiday tree lights will illuminate Plaza Park at 7:00 p.m. to officially welcome the holiday season. Santa will arrive on his vintage fire truck to spread his holiday joy and greet all the children.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Plaza Park
Thursday, December 3
– South Pasadena
South Pasadena Christmas house (pizzabytheslice.com).
Festivities will begin with a wide array of entertainment and events:
- Musical performances by a number of local South Pasadena groups.
- Mayor Bob Joe turns on the brilliant lights of the tree at 5:30.
- Santa Claus’s will be there with a chance to take photos with him.
- Santa will be there and every Thursday before Christmas at the Farmers’ Market.
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Farmers’ Market
– Monrovia
Monrovia old town Christmas (Photo – gemcityimages.com).
Kick off the holiday season with the annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
- Tree Lighting Ceremony Begins: 6:00 p.m. in Monrovia Library Park (corner of Myrtle & Lime)
- Parade Starts: 7:00 p.m.
Parade Route: Myrtle Avenue from Chestnut Avenue to Palm Avenue (Old Town).
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Old Town Monrovia
Friday, December 4
– Pasadena
Pasadena Christmas Tree (Photo – cityofpasadena.net).
Mayor Terry Tornek will light the City’s Official Holiday Tree during this free, annual festive family celebration with local singers, art projects for kids and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The Mayor will light the tree at 6 p.m.!
- City officials are predicting “snow flurries” will occur in front of City Hall.
- Great live entertainment throughout the night includes the thundering beat from the Wilson Middle School Drum Corps, the adorable Robinson Park Tiny Tots Troupe; the Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena; and the kids from Pasadena’s Afterschool Adventures Program. A special “Santa Serenade” will be performed by Monet Bagneris while the Olde Fashioned Carolers will stroll through the crowd singing all the holiday favorites.
- Santa Claus promises to make a special appearance with a little help from his friends at the Pasadena Fire Department. Snap a special holiday picture of Santa with your children in “Santa’s Village”.
- A special “Santa’s Village” display will also be available for viewing enjoyment and photos.
- Evening’s emcees this year will be the masterful duo of Pasadena Police Cpl. Glenn Thompson and retired police Lt. Rodney “Rodney D” Wallace.
- Free art projects by Pasadena’s Armory Center for the Arts will feature special “Holiday Crafts from the Around World” for young people to do. The crafts will highlight the holiday celebrations of cultures from around the globe.
- Light refreshments will be served.
The Pasadena Fire Department also will be collecting new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment from attendees able to donate a gift for needy children as part of the annual “Spark of Love” Toy Drive sponsored by the Fire Department with the local ABC television network station.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Pasadena City Hall
– San Marino
San Marino Christmas Tree Lane (Photo – kidsofsocal.com).
Huntington Drive shopkeepers will open their doors after hours for this fun and festive event and Santa will arrive at 6:00 p.m. at the fire station on Old #1 at City Hall to greet the kids. Jump aboard a trolley or stroll the drive as you listen to the holiday sounds of Carolers as you visit local merchants. Then stroll down to Christmas Tree Lane, San Marino, which is the sister street to Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena (see below).
- A variety of refreshments
- Strolling Carolers
- A Puppeteer
- Petting Zoo
- Balloon Artists
- Face Painting, and much more.
5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Huntington Dr., San Marino
– Alhambra
Alhambra (Photo – alhambrachamber.org).
Free Santa photos, entertainment and refreshments.
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Renaissance Plaza (northeast corner of Main and Garfield).
– La Cañada Flintridge
The Festival in Lights will include:
- A meeting with Santa.
- Live music.
- Introduction of Miss La Cañada Flintridge.
- Food drive.
- Toy drive.
- >Enjoy Great Food
4:00 p.m – 6:30 p.m.
Memorial Park (1301 Foothill Blvd)
– Pasadena, Paseo Colorado
The Paseo will come alive on Friday when it celebrates the holidays with Santa lighting the holiday tree:
- Free Apple cider.
- Carolers.
- Live music.
- Tree lighting.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Paseo Colorado
Saturday, December 5
– Pasadena, Allendale Branch Library
Allendale Holiday Library 4th Annual Literary Festival and 14th Annual Tree Lighting:
- Music by the BIBS (Blair International Baccalaureate School) Choir
-
Poets and authors Laurel Ann Bogen, F. Douglas Brown, Jessica Ceballos, David Kipen, Angela Peñaredondo, Minh Pham, Joan Jobe Smith, Phil Taggart, and Vickie Vértiz headline a stellar roster which will explore the “true meanings” of the holidays in works ranging from the irreverent to the inspirational.
- Refreshments.
- Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Allendale Branch Library (on 1130 S. Marengo Ave.)
Friday, December 11
– Pasadena, Hastings Branch Library 3rd Annual Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting
Get into the spirit of the season and join in the fun to light the Christmas tree with the Hastings Branch Associates and Pasadena Public Works Department.
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Hastings Branch Library (3325 E Orange Grove Blvd)
– Pasadena, La Pintoresca Branch Library Park 15th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Make holiday crafts, listen to a holiday concert, sing carols, visit with Santa and enjoy refreshments.
- Tree lighting at 6 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
La Pintoresca Branch Library (1415 N Raymond Ave)
Saturday, December 12
– Pasadena, Upper Hastings Ranch
Upper Hastings Ranch (losangelesloveaffair.com).
The Upper Hastings Ranch is a family-oriented community that boasts one of the best Christmas lights displays in the area. Their Holiday Light Up is a competition in light decorating skills.
- 12/18 Carolers on Cartwright
- 12/22 Band plays on Rexford
- 12/24 Tubas and cider on Coronet
6 p.m. – 10 p.m. (until January 2nd)
Upper Hastings Ranch (North Michillinda Avenue to the east, Eaton Canyon Golf Course & Riviera Dr. to the west, Sierra Madre Blvd to the south).
– Altadena Christmas Tree Lane Lighting
Altadena Christmas Tree Lane (Photo – Staff).
The 95th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony & Winter Arts & Crafts Festival (click for details).
2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Altadena Public Library (corner of Mariposa and Santa Rosa).
> If we missed a tree lighting event in your area, please leave us a comment below and we will make sure to include it in the list.
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