Photograph courtesy of PIER 39
Growing up in New York City, I always loved the Rockefeller Center tree lighting.
In those long-ago, pre-LED days, the mayor would choose two children out of the assembled crowd. He’d then put his hand on top of the light switch, and instruct each child to put a mittened hand on top of his. On his, “One…two…three…push!”, the tree would magically come alive with lights–eliciting a chorus of enchanted ooooooohs from the tough-talking, street-smart New Yorkers who had gathered around Rockefeller Plaza.
Want to feel some of that kind of magic on the West Coast this Christmas season? Here are just a few of the dates you may want to put on your calendar, for 2012 California Christmas tree lighting ceremonies.
SAN FRANCISCO:
November 18, 2012 – Pier 39 tree lighting, 6:00 pm. BUT, according to Pier 39’s website, they’re starting their celebration at noon that day, with a special afternoon of free Christmas entertainment, interactive exhibits and meet-and-greets.
SAN DIEGO:
November 18, 2012 – Old Globe Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, 6:00 pm, The Old Globe’s Copley Plaza. While this is a free family event, reservations are required–and available to the general public, starting TODAY, according to the Old Globe website. This special event includes a special live performance by cast members of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. And, they’re also having a contest where a child will be crowned “Santa for a Day”! You’ll find more information here.
NAPA:
November 21, 2012 – Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6:00 pm, Veterans Park. The mayor will be on hand to light the tree, and there will be refreshments and live entertainment for this free special event.
SAN FRANCISCO:
November 23, 2012 – Ghirardelli Square tree lighting, 5:30 pm. They’re also planning free, live entertainment throughout the day, starting at 1 pm. While their schedule wasn’t entirely set when we checked, their program already included the Contra Costa Chorale, Yuletide Carolers and City Opera San Francisco.
November 23, 2012 – Union Square tree lighting, 6:00 pm. While the time isn’t specified on their website, Chris Mann of “The Voice” will be on hand to give a special performance–and Santa will be there as well, to lead the countdown and throw the switch. Plan on getting there early–as you can imagine, this gets crowded!
LONG BEACH:
November 29, 2012– AbilityFirst Open House, 7:00 pm. The Long Beach community is invited to AbilityFirst Long Beach Center for food, wine and networking, with tours, networking and a social hour at 6:00 pm. This special event, co-sponsored by the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, includes a tree lighting and adornment ceremony at 7:00 pm. While this is a free event with free parking, they request RSVP’s, at (562) 426-6161, x2412.
OXNARD:
November 30, 2012 – 62nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:30 pm, Plaza Park. According to the Oxnard Downtown Management District’s website, this six-decade-old tradition features the tallest Christmas tree in Ventura County–as well as entertainment, complimentary refreshments and a certain special celebrity guest in a red suit.
ANAHEIM:
December 1, 2012 – Downtown Anaheim Nutcracker Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Village, at Center Street Promenade and Lemon, 6:00 pm. This is an all-day celebration, starting with breakfast with Santa that morning and continuing on with an international food fair, gift shopping, free train rides, snow (you’re asked to bring mittens and boots) and crafts for the kids.
APPLE VALLEY:
December 1, 2012 – Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting, at Civic Center and Town Hall, 2:00 – 6:00 pm. This is free celebration including falling snow, free train rides, crafts, giveaways and a visit from Santa. You’re encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy; this is a “Spark of Love” toy donation site. And of course, Santa’s coming for a photo opp. The afternoon culminates in the tree lighting at 6:00 pm.
LOS ANGELES:
December 1, 2012 – Old Chinatown Central Plaza, Los Angeles, 5:00 – 9:00 pm. According to the Chinatown Los Angeles website, this free event starts with caroling (old and new songs!) at 5:00, and continues with the lighting of a uniquely Asian-themed tree, decorated by designer Brad Schmidt.
FERNDALE:
December 2, 2012 – America’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree, Main Street, 5:30 pm.
According to the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, this tree is a 132.5 foot Sitka spruce. It’s also an eight-decade town tradition. A Chamber of Commerce spokesperson tells us the local volunteer firemen have been decorating the tree since the 1930s, and that they actually climb the tree to decorate it. Ferndale’s Christmas tree has been lit every year since 1934, with the exception of during World War II.
And if you’re in Ferndale, you won’t want to come for just the tree lighting. According to their website, there’s an all-day celebration, starting with an Advent service at a local church at 9 am. The church is hosting an old-fashioned brunch after the service. Then, at 3:00, the Ferndale Community Choir offers its 39th Annual Christmas Celebration in Song…followed by the tree lighting at 5:30 and a Portuguese linguica (sausage) and beans dinner and Christmastime get-together at Portuguese Hall.
ORANGE:
December 2, 2012 – Old Towne Plaza, 5:15 p.m. Again, you’ll want to get there earlier. This free celebration starts with a Christmas block party, at 3:30 p.m., which includes crafts, carnival games, and photo opportunities with Santa. Local nonprofit groups will be on hand, selling refreshments, and the money raised goes to support their work in the community. The afternoon culminates in the tree lighting, and a candlelight choir procession (think: a 350-voice choir and a 60-piece orchestra!). However, be sure you call their special events hotline, (714) 744-7278, or check the website if it should DARE to rain. They may have to reschedule if the weather is less than merry!
BALBOA ISLAND:
December 2, 2012 – Christmas tree lighting “at dusk”, at Balboa Island Fire Station at Marine and Park Avenues, according to their website. Festivities start at 4:00 p.m., with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Santa. Come prepared for cider, cookies, popcorn, caroling, and snow (you may want to bring boots and mittens for this one, too).
CARMEL:
December 7, 2012 – Devendorf Park and Carmel Plaza, at about 5:45–BUT you’ll want to get there earlier. A spokesperson for the City of Carmel tells Noelophile™ that this event starts with Santa Claus at the park, from 3:30 till 5:30. There’s entertainment by Junipero Serra School,Carmel Middle School and three other performers, starting at 4:30. Then, at 5:45–or thereabouts–Santa gets called up to the stage–and he and the mayor count down to lighting the tree and all the medians. According to their website, there’s a Carmel Plaza open house immediately afterwards.