South Coast Plaza to light tree for the holidays Thursday
Santa Claus will come to town a few weeks early on Thursday when South Coast Plaza holds its 34th annual tree-lighting ceremony from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
The tree, a 96-foot white fir from Mount Shasta, stands at Town Center Park, behind the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel across Bristol Street from the Costa Mesa mall.
The Orange County School of the Arts will present a production about Santa’s preparation for his trip to South Coast Plaza, and a band and carolers will perform holiday songs as the tree’s 20,000 colored lights are illuminated. Free refreshments will be served.
As a special guest of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Nutcracker will welcome visitors to the ceremony. The American Ballet Theatre will present “The Nutcracker” from Dec. 10 through 20 at Segerstrom Hall.
At the mall, children may create crafts in Santa’s Village at Carousel Court, where South Coast Plaza’s carousel has been transformed with Santa’s reindeer.
Photo opportunities with Santa will be available through Dec. 24.
And from Friday to Jan. 3, the Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing will host Santa’s Express Train, which children can ride for $1.
For more information, call (800) 782-8888 or visit southcoastplaza.com.
