Santa Clarans Kick Off Holiday Season with Annual Tree Lighting

The holidays are here and for many Santa Clara residents, that means the opportunity to enjoy the annual Holiday Tree Lighting.

This year, the event took place on Dec. 7 at Central Park. The night kicked off with ice skating followed by a visit from Santa. The main stage featured several performances, including a dance performance by Joy of Sewa.

It was a chilly night and many visitors warmed up with a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows. Others enjoyed popcorn snacks or a teriyaki chicken meal.

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Anticipation and excitement grew as the night progressed. Visitors began to make their way towards the lawn.

“Which tree is it?” a young boy asked his mother as he looked all around the park.

“That one right there,” said his mother, pointing in the direction of the 70-foot tree in front of them.

The young boy wasn’t the only one anxiously waiting for the big event. Many children and adults alike gathered on the lawn to witness the annual tree lighting ceremony.

“I want the tree to light up already,” said a man who was standing with his friends and family members. The group had gathered at least half an hour prior to make sure they got a good spot.

Just then, the park grew dark and visitors gasped with excitement. Many quickly raised their phones — ready to capture the moment when the tree lit up. People cheered with glee when the multi-colored lights that lined the tree branches finally came on. Teddy, the beloved tree topper, made its 107th appearance. Flashes when off as people snapped photos and recorded videos on their phones.

Even more flashes lit up the sky as the fireworks began. Visitors directed their attention towards the sky to enjoy the show.

“Oh, I like those. The sparkly ones are my favorite,” said one of the visitors on the lawn.

The fun was far from over after the fireworks. Following the ceremony, visitors were treated to a performance by the Entourage band whose upbeat music had people on their feet and dancing.

Catch a glimpse of the event on the Santa Clara Weekly Facebook page.