Volunteers singing the banners at the Memorial Tree (Photo – W.K.)
The 105th annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony and Winterfest carries special meaning this year as the community gathers for its first holiday season since the devastating Eaton Fire of January 2025. The surviving historic deodar trees along the Lane, part of the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas lights display in the country, now stand as symbols of resilience and shared strength.
By Rena Kurlander
This year’s ceremony will be emceed by Edward James Olmos, anchoring an evening shaped by community voices and performances. Local artists, the Muir High School Choir, Octavia Butler band, Eliot Arts Magnet singers, and many more will take the stage during Winterfest’s pre-ceremony program, offering music and moments of reflection to honor those impacted by the fire.
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger will lead the official lighting, joined by State Assemblymember John Harabedian, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Christmas Tree Lane Association President Scott Wardlaw. Eaton Fire survivors Pierre Dupuy and the Porter-Self and Skidmore families will be recognized prior to the Lane illumination.
Winterfest and pre-ceremony performances run from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm, with the Lighting Ceremony scheduled for 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
Tips for Enjoying the Evening
Held along Santa Rosa Avenue at Mariposa Street in Altadena, the event remains free and open to the public, welcoming residents, volunteers, local businesses, and visitors from across the region for a meaningful and celebratory evening.
- Dress warmly, temperatures will be low.
- Approximately 30,000 people are expected to converge on the area, so plan to walk.
- The Memorial Tree will be lit around 5:00 pm, or at dusk, about an hour and a half before the lane lighting. This allows the community time to sign banners and reflect. It will be the only tree lit in white and adorned with 19 green bulbs, honoring the fire’s 19 victims..
- A special Disney location will be set up to the side of the stage—shh, don’t tell anyone! We’re trying to keep it a secret, and the organizers would like the focus to remain on Christmas Tree Lane.
Read More: Where the Trees Still Stand: Altadena Finds Light Again on Christmas Tree Lane
> A video showing the preparations and festivities is posted on our Instagram and Facebook.
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