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Holiday Lighting Celebrations in Los Angeles: Christmas Tree Lightings, Menorah Lightings, and Fireworks!

Is this really America's tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree? Check it out live and see! Photo courtesy of Citadel Center
Is this really America's tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree? Check it out live and see! Photo courtesy of Citadel Center
11/6/22 - By Toby B

Get ready to deck the Southland halls, walls, trees, skies, and more with Christmas tree lightings, menorah lightings, and fireworks! As the holidays get rolling, there are plenty of opportunities to snap photos with Santa, take in a boat parade, and marvel at some spectacular neighborhood holiday lights and Candy Cane Lanes, but the best way to kick it all off is with a good old-fashioned tree lighting (or menorah lighting) ceremony. Communities all over Los Angeles and Orange County have their own traditions—including caroling, cocoa, fireworks, and much more. Pick whichever of the locations below is nearest to you, and go rock around a Christmas tree!

We'll keep adding more below as communities make their plans. Check our events calendar and sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up with the latest info. For more holiday events and activities, check our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Los Angeles Families.

Please note: since Hanukkah comes on the late side this year (ending in a Chrismakkuh convergence!), most menorah lighting events have yet to post their info. We will update this post as more information becomes available.

 

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Christmas tree lightings on the beach are a beautiful sight. Photo courtesy of Visit Newport Beach
Christmas tree lightings on the beach are a beautiful sight. Photo courtesy of Visit Newport Beach

Los Angeles Christmas Tree Lightings 2022

Citadel Holiday Tree Lighting

Commerce- Saturday, November 12, 2022
Free
The Citadel's 2024 Holiday Tree Lighting is set for November 9. More than 18,000 LED lights illuminate the world's tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree, which measures 115 feet tall. The annual event includes a free holiday concert that begins at 5pm, featuring Spencer Sutherland. READ MORE

Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting & Open House

Manhattan Beach - Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Free
The annual Pier Lighting & Open House rings in the holiday season with businesses staying open late for a holiday shopping stroll. Starting at 6pm, choirs entertain on the pier, with the Pier lighting beginning at 7pm READ MORE

Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration & Fireworks

Beverly Hills - Thursday, November 17, 2022
Free
A spectacular shimmering glow of lights brightens up Rodeo Drive during the annual Beverly Hills Holiday Lighting Ceremony.  ​The evening includes live entertainment, festive decor, and the arrival of Santa Claus.. The evening ends with fireworks over Rodeo Drive. READ MORE

Holiday Kickoff at The Pike Outlets

Long Beach - Thursday, November 17, 2022
Free
The holidays kick off at The Pike Outlets with festive entertainment in the Main Plaza, leading up to Santa's grand arrival & the tree lighting ceremony. READ MORE

Christmas in Covina Tree Lighting Ceremony & Festival

Covina - Friday, November 18, 2022
Free
The official Covina Tree Lighting Ceremony is held in Downtown Covina at 6pm. A host of free activities follow, including horse-drawn wagon rides, children's train rides, a crafts area, holiday carolers, letters to Santa, a hot chocolate bar, and Santa Claus photos. READ MORE

The Promenade at Westlake Tree Lighting

Westlake Village - Friday, November 18, 2022
Free
The Promenade at Westlake kicks off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting celebration. Festivities include special performances alongside a fireworks spectacular and Santa’s grand arrival. READ MORE

Seal Beach Christmas Tree Lighting

Seal Beach - Saturday, November 19, 2022
Free
The holiday season starts early at Seal Beach's Eisenhower Park, with a little help from Santa Claus. The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony includes cocoa & cookies, carolers, and children's crafts.  Guests can feel the chill with snow,  sledding, and a life size snowman and snowglobe. READ MORE

Light Up Main Street

Newhall - Saturday, November 19, 2022
Free
Old Town Newhall is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland as Main Street is filled with thousands of twinkling lights. Guests can shop, dine, and stroll, taking in the giant Christmas tree with over 3000 ornaments, a ribbon arch and light tunnels, and a 6-foot tall selfie frame. READ MORE

Christmas Celebration & Tree Lighting at The Grove

Mid-City - Sunday, November 20, 2022
Free
The Grove launches its holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting event, featuring all-star performances and a fireworks spectacular. This year's event is hosted by Lance Bass and features legendary music director Rickey Minor, as well as a night full of special performances. READ MORE

Season of Merry Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting (Manhattan Village Mall)

Manhattan Beach - Friday, November 25, 2022
Free
Manhattan Village lights up the holidays with live music, a magical snowfall, and of course, the arrival of Santa to light the 41-foot tree at 5pm! READ MORE

Annual Lighting of the Bay

Newport Beach - November 25, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Free
The 34th Annual Lighting of the Bay kicks off the holiday season at Newport Dunes,  illuminating the bay each evening at dusk with more than 50 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Opening night festivities include holiday crafts, festive food and concessions, photos with Santa, a fire dance performance, and a holiday movie on the beach. Santa takes center stage at dusk as he flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than fifty floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees.  Opening Night is also the launch of the  Fire... READ MORE

LA County Tree Lighting

DTLA - Monday, November 28, 2022
Free
A majestic tree is the centerpiece of LA County's annual tree lighting ceremony,  held on the Music Center's Jerry Moss Plaza. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to this annual free public celebration to hear live music, art making and snow flurries, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. READ MORE

City of Santa Monica's Official Tree Lighting Ceremony

Santa Monica - Thursday, December 1, 2022
Free
Snow falls as Santa Claus kicks off the holiday season at Santa Monica's official holiday tree lighting ceremony on Third Street Promenade. The annual event features performances by local choirs and a special performance of the Nutcracker, READ MORE

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony ( City of Inglewood)

Inglewood - Thursday, December 1, 2022
Free
The City of Inglewood hosts its Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Inglewood City Hall. The evening features live entertainment, refreshments for all, and a special holiday visit by Santa. READ MORE

South El Monte Tree Lighting Ceremony

South El Monte - Thursday, December 1, 2022
Free
Santa Claus helps light South El Monte's 35-foot Christmas tree, in a ceremony held on the front lawn of City Hall. The festivities include live performances and a Santa Claus photo booth, as well as children's crafts and a Christmas boutique. Guests are treated to free tamales and champurrado, while supplies last READ MORE

Lakewood Holiday Tree Lighting

Lakewood - Friday, December 2, 2022
Free
Snow is falling in Lakewood for the city's 11th annual tree lighting ceremony. Festivities start at 4:30pm, with carnival games, food trucks, and Santa Claus meet-and-greets. READ MORE

Buena Park Annual Tree Lighting

Buena Park - Friday, December 2, 2022
Free
The City of Buena Park celebrates the season with a tree lighting. The evening's festivities include photo opportunities, food and dessert vendors, pictures with Mr. and Ms. Claus, and the return of extremely popular Santa train. READ MORE

Anaheim Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Village

Anaheim - Saturday, December 3, 2022
Free
The annual tradition continues! The holidays kick off in Downtown Anaheim with the 30th Annual Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Village. Families can take photos with Santa, enter the Candy Canine dog costume contest, shop local vendors, and watch as the tree is lit up to mark the start of the Christmas season. READ MORE

Montebello Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting

Montebello - Saturday, December 3, 2022
Free
Bring your mittens: Montebello's Tree Lighting Ceremony includes snow slides!   Other fun includes photos and visits with Santa Claus, live performances, a holiday vendor fair, and more. READ MORE

La Plaza Park Tree Lighting

Dana Point - Saturday, December 3, 2022
Free
Santa and his elves arrive at Dana Point's La Plaza Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for kids. The event features carolers, hot chocolate, cookies, and the tree lighting at 5:15pm. READ MORE

Simi Valley Annual Tree Lighting Celebration

Simi Valley - Saturday, December 3, 2022
Free
Santa Claus drops by Simi Valley Town Center for the lighting of the tree, and he's bringing some snow with him! READ MORE

Pines Park Tree Lighting

Dana Point - Monday, December 5, 2022
Free
Santa and his elves arrive at Pines Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for kids (up to age 12). The event features carolers, hot chocolate, and cookies, with the tree lighting at 5:15pm. READ MORE

La Pintoresca Tree Lighting Ceremony

Pasadena - Saturday, December 10, 2022
Free
Neighbors, family, and friends gather to celebrate the holiday season at La Pintoresca Park. Guests can enjoy arts & crafts and holiday-themed fun while awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. Guests are invited to bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love toy drive.  READ MORE
Get ready for eight crazy nights! Menorah Lighting photo courtesy of Downtown Santa Monica
Get ready for eight crazy nights! Menorah Lighting photo courtesy of Downtown Santa Monica

Menorah Lightings and Hanukkah Celebrations in Los Angeles

Skirball Hanukkah Family Festival

West LA - Sunday, December 18, 2022
The Skirball Hanukkah Family Festival welcomes families of all backgrounds to revel in the spirit of the holiday with music, dance, and storytelling.  READ MORE

Hanukkah in Santa Monica

Santa Monica - December 18 - 25, 2022
Free
Downtown Santa Monica celebrates Hanukkah with a traditional menorah lighting at sundown each night during the holiday. READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at Palisades Village

Pacific Palisades - Sunday, December 18, 2022
Free
Chabad Jewish Community of Pacific Palisades helps Palisades Village get in a Festival of Lights mood at this annual menorah lighting event.  READ MORE

Hanukkah in the Foothills 2024

Sunland - Monday, Dec 19, 2022
Free
Families can celebrate the season at the annual Hanukkah in the Foothills celebration.   The free evening includes a candle lighting, along with food, games, and door prizes. Guests at the celebration can enjoy latkes. READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at the Grove

Fairfax - Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022
Free
Musician and spiritual motivator Nissim Black opens the show and closes the event, followed by a gentle snowfall. The kindling of the menorah is by Montana Tucker and Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander, in honor is his 100th birthday. Hanukkah refreshments are available after the show. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Downtown Covina - Heritage Plaza
Old Town Newhall Library
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center
Centre At Sycamore Plaza