Tree lighting brings holiday glow to South Coast Plaza
South Coast Plaza hailed the holidays Thursday night, illuminating Town Center Park in Costa Mesa with the glow from 20,000 colored lights on a 96-foot tree.
The mall’s 34th annual tree-lighting ceremony featured students from the Orange County School of the Arts in a production about Santa’s preparation for his trip to South Coast Plaza, along with holiday music performed by a band and carolers.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ special guest, the Nutcracker, welcomed visitors to the ceremony. The American Ballet Theatre is scheduled to present “The Nutcracker” Dec. 10-20 at Segerstrom Hall.
The tree, a white fir from Mount Shasta, stands behind the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel across Bristol Street from the retail center.
Meanwhile 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.
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.