Find 2026 Christmas tree lightings in Los Angeles County and nearby Ventura County from November 7 through December 7. Compare dates, free admission, ticket requirements, and countdown times. The LA County calendar is below, and the Winterland section covers the Westlake tree lighting in Thousand Oaks.
- The Grove Christmas tree lighting is Monday, November 16. Doors open at 5 PM for the free 7 PM show. Space is limited.
- The official L.A. County tree lighting is Monday, November 30, from 5 to 7 PM at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza. Admission is free.
- Downtown Culver City’s tree lighting is Thursday, December 3, from 5 to 8:30 PM at Town Plaza. Ivy Station has a separate calendar, with no confirmed 2026 tree lighting as of November 4.
- Long Beach’s tree lighting is Monday, December 7, from 5 to 8 PM. Reserve free tickets before you go.
Last checked: November 4, 2026. All times are Pacific. The calendar shows event hours and lists the countdown time separately when organizers publish it.
Jump to date calendar · The Grove and central LA · Downtown LA · Westside and Culver City · South Bay and Long Beach · San Gabriel Valley and foothills · Burbank and Santa Clarita · Southeast LA County · Ivy Station and announcements to watch.
2026 tree lighting calendar
These dates come from organizer, city, library, or official tourism announcements. Follow the linked source in each area's entry for updates and reservations.
| Date | Celebration | Area | Published event hours / lighting time |
|---|
| Sat, Nov 7 | Citadel Outlets | Commerce | 5–7:15 PM; concert starts at 5 |
| Fri, Nov 13 | Plaza West Covina | West Covina | 4–8 PM |
| Mon, Nov 16 | The Grove | Fairfax | Doors 5 PM, show 7 PM |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Union Station | Downtown LA | 6–8 PM |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Regent Santa Monica Beach | Santa Monica | 4:30–7 PM |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Rodeo Drive holiday lighting* | Beverly Hills | 5–8 PM |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Light Up Main Street | Old Town Newhall | 4–8 PM; lighting about 5:30 |
| Sun, Nov 22 | The Shops at Montebello | Montebello | 4–7 PM |
| Sun, Nov 22 | Hermosa for the Holidays | Hermosa Beach | Ceremony 5:45–6:15 PM; lighting about 6 |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Terranea Resort | Rancho Palos Verdes | 4:30–7 PM; paid advance registration |
| Mon, Nov 30 | L.A. County Tree Lighting | The Music Center | 5–7 PM |
| Wed, Dec 2 | La Crescenta Library | La Crescenta | 5:30–7:15 PM |
| Wed, Dec 2 | Paramount Tree Lighting | Paramount | 6–9 PM |
| Thu, Dec 3 | Downtown Culver City Sled-tacular | Town Plaza | 5–8:30 PM |
| Thu, Dec 3 | Fairmont Miramar | Santa Monica | 6–8 PM |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Claremont Holiday Promenade | Claremont Village | 5–8 PM; lighting at 6 |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Lawndale Angel Tree Lighting | Lawndale | Date announced; check city flyer for hours |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Palisades Village | Pacific Palisades | Stroll 11 AM–5 PM; lighting at 5:30 |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Christmas Tree Lane | Altadena | Lighting at 6 PM; Winterfest 3–9 |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Burbank Mayor's Tree Lighting | Burbank City Hall | 6–6:30 PM |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Montebello Winter Wonderland | Montebello | Date announced; check city for time and venue |
| Mon, Dec 7 | Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting | Terrace Theater Plaza | 5–8 PM; free tickets required |
| Mon, Dec 7 | Downey Tree Lighting | Downey Civic Center | 6–8:30 PM |
Rodeo Drive is a street-lighting celebration rather than a single-tree ceremony; it appears here as a related holiday outing.
The Grove and central LA
The Grove: the big holiday production
When: Monday, November 16, 2026. Doors open at 5 PM and the show starts at 7 PM.
Where: 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles.
Price: Free public event; parking costs extra and rates may change. Space is limited.
Best for: Families who want live entertainment and a big countdown, and children comfortable with fireworks and crowds.
Lance Bass hosts The Grove’s 25th annual celebration, which pairs the tree lighting with music, Santa, snowfall, drones, and fireworks. It's a full evening production, so consider whether a 7 PM start works for your child before committing to the trip.
Parent tip: Plan dinner and your exit before arrival. Bring hearing protection if useful for your child; a free event still has travel and parking costs. The official event page says filming will take place for broadcast.
Read The Grove's event announcement and Caruso's announcement confirming the 7 PM show.
More Winterland holiday outings
- The Grove, Fairfax: Santa’s Workshop runs November 17–December 24. Nightly snowfall runs November 17–December 31 at 6 PM and 8 PM. Santa photo reservations
- The Americana at Brand, Glendale: Santa’s House runs November 13–December 24. Nightly snowfall runs November 13–December 31 at 7 PM and 8 PM. Santa photo reservations
- Palisades Village, Pacific Palisades: After the December 5 tree lighting, nightly snowfall runs December 6–31 at 6 PM. The Chanukah menorah lighting is December 6 at 5 PM.
- The Commons at Calabasas: The Chanukah menorah lighting is December 8 at 7 PM.
- Nearby in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County: The Promenade at Westlake’s November 20 holiday market starts at 4 PM, with the tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 PM. Santa’s Cottage runs November 21–December 24. The Lakes at Thousand Oaks has daily outdoor ice skating November 6–January 11, 2027. Westlake holiday schedule
See The Grove’s official Winterland schedule.
The Cat in the Hat storytime at Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble at The Grove hosts a ticketed reading of the movie storybook and a photo with the Cat in the Hat on Saturday, November 7, from noon to 2 PM. Check ticket availability with Barnes & Noble.
Downtown LA
L.A. County Tree Lighting at The Music Center
When: Monday, November 30, 2026, 5–7 PM.
Where: Jerry Moss Plaza, The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue.
Price: Free; the official page offers a “let us know you're coming” form. Purchases at the market are extra.
Best for: Families looking for the county's official ceremony, art activities, and an earlier evening window.
The county celebration includes music, hands-on art, snow flurries, complimentary cocoa, and the LA2050 Holiday Impact Market. The Board of Supervisors leads the ceremonial lighting. This is the L.A. County ceremony, distinct from the many municipal and shopping-center celebrations in this guide.
Parent tip: The published 5–7 PM block covers the celebration; an exact switch-on time is not stated. Check the venue's parking and accessibility links before leaving.
Check the county ceremony and arrival information.
Union Station: a celebration for train-loving kids
When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6–8 PM.
Where: Historic Ticket Concourse, Los Angeles Union Station.
Price: Free, all ages; the organizer explicitly says tickets are not required.
Best for: Train enthusiasts and families who can make transit part of the outing.
Music, roaming stilt walkers, Santa photos, and sweet treats fill the station's historic concourse. Unlike a recommendation based on last year's outdoor setting, the 2026 announcement places this ceremony in the Ticket Concourse.
Parent tip: Consider taking transit directly to the station. The venue lists parking starting at $8; check current rates and your return journey. An indoor setting can still be busy and loud.
See Union Station's ceremony and transportation options.
Westside and Culver City
Downtown Culver City Tree Lighting Sled-tacular
When: Thursday, December 3, 2026, 5–8:30 PM.
Where: Town Plaza, 9300 Culver Boulevard, Culver City.
Price: The organizer's text listing does not state admission or activity fees; confirm before visiting.
Best for: Culver City families who want a downtown holiday evening.
The Downtown Business Association confirms the 2026 Sled-tacular date, event window, and Town Plaza address. The text announcement does not spell out sledding rules or the exact lighting time, so don't assume last year's activity schedule applies.
Parent tip: This event is not at Ivy Station. Use the Town Plaza address when planning your route, and check the current flyer for the ceremony and activity details.
Open the 2026 Sled-tacular announcement.
Regent Santa Monica Beach
When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 4:30–7 PM.
Where: 1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica.
Price: Open to all; the official tourism announcement does not specify admission, parking prices, or what refreshments cost.
Best for: Families drawn to a seaside setting and an earlier start.
The announced celebration centers on a 45-foot tree, with Santa, holiday characters, music, and photo opportunities. Seasonal food, drinks, and boutique shopping are part of the evening.
Parent tip: Ask the hotel about admission, reservations, and parking before planning around it. “Open to all” does not establish that every activity is complimentary.
Check Regent's celebration details.
Fairmont Miramar
When: Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6–8 PM.
Where: Miramar Gardens, Fairmont Miramar, Santa Monica.
Price: Check the hotel's booking link for admission and RSVP requirements.
Best for: Families who prefer choir music, cocoa, and a garden setting.
The hotel's 2026 announcement includes the Santa Monica High School Choir, hot chocolate, and Santa photos. It provides the evening window but does not publish an exact tree-lighting moment or clear pricing in the event description.
Review the Miramar event and booking information.
Palisades Village
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026; Holiday Stroll 11 AM–5 PM, tree lighting at 5:30 PM.
Where: Palisades Village, Pacific Palisades.
Price: Confirm activity and parking charges with the property.
Best for: Families who want to combine daytime holiday browsing with an early-evening countdown.
Caruso's 2026 announcement confirms a holiday stroll, entertainment, Santa photos, and the 5:30 PM lighting. Plan around the ceremony separately from the daytime stroll.
Read the official Palisades Village holiday schedule.
When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 5–8 PM.
Where: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.
Price: Free public celebration; food and other purchases extra.
Best for: Children who enjoy street entertainment and a fireworks finale.
Beverly Hills lights its holiday street installations with entertainment and a ceremonial countdown. This is a street-lighting celebration, so choose it for the festive atmosphere rather than expecting a traditional single-tree ceremony. The city announces fireworks; consider noise tolerance and street closures when planning.
Check Beverly Hills' official holiday announcement.
South Bay and Long Beach
Hermosa for the Holidays
When: Sunday, November 22, 2026; ceremony 5:45–6:15 PM, lighting and Santa's arrival expected around 6 PM.
Where: Pier Plaza, Hermosa Beach.
Price: Check the organizer for activity charges; the optional Ferris wheel is $9 per ticket, card only.
Best for: Families who want a beachside countdown and live music.
The tree lighting is on Sunday even though the wider festival runs Saturday and Sunday. Santa's photo window is earlier on Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM, so arriving only for the countdown won't cover that activity.
Parent tip: Bring a warm layer for the coast. Decide on optional ride spending before your child spots the Ferris wheel.
See the ceremony, Santa, and festival schedule.
Terranea Resort: reserve this one
When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 4:30–7 PM.
Where: Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes.
Price: $32 ages 13+, $15 ages 5–12, complimentary ages 4 and under; fees extra. Advance registration required.
Best for: Families planning a ticketed coastal holiday outing.
Terranea announces a 30-foot tree, local carolers and dancers, Santa and Mrs. Claus, a trackless train, and postcards to Santa. Food and refreshments include items for purchase. The resort also encourages an unwrapped toy donation for Toys for Tots.
Parent tip: Follow the resort's paid-registration policy even if another calendar calls the event free. Confirm parking costs and remaining tickets before driving to the peninsula.
Review Terranea's official prices and registration link.
Lawndale Angel Tree Lighting
When: Friday, December 4, 2026; check the current city flyer for hours.
Where and price: Confirm the event location, admission, and activity details with the city.
Best for: Nearby families seeking a local community celebration.
Lawndale's annual-events page confirms the December 4 date and describes music, performances, and treats. We have not treated the missing logistics as confirmed.
Check Lawndale's 2026 announcement and flyer.
Long Beach Christmas Tree Lighting
When: Monday, December 7, 2026, 5–8 PM.
Where: Terrace Theater Plaza, 300 E. Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach.
Price: Free admission, but tickets are required for entry.
Best for: Families who want a large tree, stage entertainment, and a fireworks finish.
Visit Long Beach announces a 67-foot tree, falling snow, music, and a fireworks finale. The key planning detail is the ticket requirement: free does not mean you can arrive without reserving.
Parent tip: Get tickets through the official page, then check the current parking plan. Choose this for children comfortable with amplified entertainment and fireworks.
Reserve free entry and check Long Beach's schedule.
Find more family outings in the Play Map LA app. Browse kids’ events by date and neighborhood when you’re on the go. Download Play Map LA on the App Store.
Plaza West Covina
When: Friday, November 13, 2026, 4–8 PM.
Where: Plaza West Covina, 112 Plaza Drive, West Covina.
Price: Confirm admission and any activity or RSVP requirements with the mall.
Best for: Local families who want a holiday kickoff before Thanksgiving.
The mall's official events calendar announces Holiday Magic: Tree Lighting Ceremony. It publishes a four-hour event window; check the detail announcement for the actual lighting moment before timing dinner around it.
Check Plaza West Covina's event calendar.
La Crescenta Library
When: Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 5:30–7:15 PM. A separate children's magic show runs 4:30–5:30 PM.
Where: La Crescenta Library courtyard, 2809 Foothill Boulevard.
Price: Public library program; see the library announcement for updates.
Best for: Families who want a community countdown; the preceding magic show is specifically for ages 5–12.
The library's twelfth annual ceremony welcomes all ages for courtyard music and festivities, with seasonal photo backdrops. The lighting program and preceding magic show have different age descriptions—choose the part that fits your family.
Parent tip: The library advises that food may be served and ingredient information will be provided. Ask staff about ingredients if allergies affect your plans.
Read the library's ceremony and magic-show details.
Claremont Holiday Promenade
When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 5–8 PM; tree lighting at 6 PM.
Where: Claremont Village and Depot, 200 W. First Street, Claremont.
Price: Free admission; shopping and dining extra.
Best for: Families who enjoy a downtown stroll with a clear countdown time.
The city's Holiday Promenade includes participating-business Cheer Stops offering treats and specials. Look for the marked businesses and pick up the organizer's map rather than assuming every shop participates.
Parent tip: Start with the Depot ceremony and add only as much walking as your children enjoy. It's an evening stroll, not a requirement to visit every stop.
Check the city schedule and Cheer Stop information.
Christmas Tree Lane, Altadena
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026; lighting at 6 PM, Winterfest 3–9 PM.
Where: Santa Rosa Avenue and Mariposa Street, Altadena.
Price: Free public ceremony and Winterfest; vendor purchases extra.
Best for: Families who want a whole lane of illuminated trees rather than a shopping-center stage.
The association confirms the 2026 lighting ceremony and Winterfest, with music, artisans, food vendors, and family activities. The defining sight is the line of towering deodar trees lighting together.
Parent tip: Treat this as a neighborhood visit. Check the association's current access information and keep driveways clear. The opening ceremony time does not establish every later night's viewing hours.
Check the association's ceremony and Winterfest details.
Burbank and Santa Clarita
Burbank Mayor's Tree Lighting
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 6–6:30 PM.
Where: Burbank City Hall steps, 275 E. Olive Avenue.
Price: Free admission.
Best for: Families who prefer a short scheduled ceremony.
Burbank announces live performances, Santa, and the City Hall tree lighting in a half-hour window. It's a useful option when you want the countdown without planning a whole festival evening.
Parent tip: Arrive before the published start; a short program leaves less room for a late parking search. A shorter schedule does not guarantee smaller crowds.
See Burbank's city event listing and official tourism details.
Light Up Main Street, Old Town Newhall
When: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 4–8 PM; lighting approximately 5:30 PM.
Where: Main Street, Old Town Newhall, Santa Clarita.
Price: Check the city's current program for activity charges; food and shopping extra.
Best for: Families who want a street-festival evening with an early countdown.
The City of Santa Clarita's announcement describes five festive blocks, live entertainment, activities, food trucks, and holiday shopping. The approximate 5:30 PM lighting makes it possible to focus on the countdown rather than staying until closing.
Parent tip: Pick a meeting point before exploring and check the latest road and parking information. Build the outing around one or two activities instead of promising the entire festival.
Read the city's save-the-date announcement via the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber.
Southeast LA County
Citadel Outlets, Commerce
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 5–7:15 PM; concert starts at 5 PM.
Where: Citadel Outlets, 100 Citadel Drive.
Price: Free and open to the public.
Best for: Families ready for an early-November holiday kickoff with live music.
Citadel's official announcement confirms its annual tree-lighting concert and ceremony. The published start is the concert start, so don't interpret 5 PM as a guaranteed tree switch-on time.
Parent tip: Allow time to reach the event area before the music starts. Check the organizer's linked additional information for arrival updates.
See Citadel's concert and ceremony announcement.
The Shops at Montebello
When: Sunday, November 22, 2026, 4–7 PM.
Where: Center Court, The Shops at Montebello.
Price: The current announcement does not specify an admission charge; confirm optional purchases and photo policies.
Best for: Families who want music, holiday characters, and a mall-based evening.
The 2026 holiday program lists a tree-lighting countdown, Mrs. Claus, holiday characters, live vocal performances, and a photo booth. Use the November 22 announcement: the same events page also retains a separate 2025 tree-lighting entry.
Open the Play Map LA listing or check the mall's 2026 holiday program.
City of Montebello Winter Wonderland
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026; time and exact venue need confirmation from the city.
Price: Check the current city announcement.
Best for: Nearby families interested in a larger holiday program.
The city's special-events page confirms the date and describes Santa's Village, crafts, snow slides, vendors, live music, and a tree lighting. This is a different celebration from the November 22 shopping-center event.
Check Montebello's official special-events page.
Paramount Tree Lighting
When: Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 6–9 PM.
Where: Paramount Boulevard and Jackson Street, Paramount.
Price: Check the city announcement for admission and activity details.
Best for: Local families who want music, holiday characters, and Santa.
Paramount's city announcement includes cocoa, cookies, music, and photo opportunities. The published three-hour block is the event window; no separate lighting time is stated.
Read Paramount's official event details.
Downey Tree Lighting
When: Monday, December 7, 2026, 6–8:30 PM.
Where: Downey Civic Center, 11111 Brookshire Avenue.
Price: Confirm admission and activity details with the organizer.
Best for: Downey-area families seeking a local Civic Center celebration.
Downtown Downey's calendar confirms the date, time, and Civic Center address. Check its detail link for the program before promising specific activities or a Santa photo.
Check Downtown Downey's event calendar.
Ivy Station and announcements to watch
Ivy Station, Culver City: 2026 tree lighting not confirmed
We checked Ivy Station's official park-events page, its linked November 2026 calendar, and its official Linktree. We did not find an announced 2026 Christmas tree lighting. We are keeping it in this guide because families may be looking for it, without assigning a date or borrowing downtown Culver City's event details.
Ivy Station's published November calendar includes community programming, but that is not evidence of a Christmas tree ceremony. Its proposed annual programming also includes a Hanukkah celebration; a menorah lighting is a separate event and should be described as such when announced.
Watch Ivy Station's official park-events calendar and official event links. For the confirmed December 3 Christmas tree event in Culver City, use the Town Plaza entry above.
More local dates to verify
These are research follow-ups, not confirmed outings in this guide:
- Covina: The city has a 2026 tree-lighting flyer linked from its special-events page. Verify the flyer’s full logistics before using dates circulated by other calendars.
- Downtown Santa Monica: Check Downtown Santa Monica for the Promenade ceremony. Regent and Fairmont Miramar are separate hotel celebrations; their dates do not establish the city's date.
- Pasadena and La Pintoresca: Check the Pasadena Parks and Recreation calendar. Search results still surface 2025 ceremonies alongside 2026 programs.
- Glendale City Hall: Check the city calendar. Conflicting dates in third-party roundups need an organizer check.
- Huntington Park: The city website lists a 2026 tree-lighting page; confirm its current flyer before making plans.
- Lancaster and Palmdale: Check each city's holiday announcements for 2026 ceremony dates. A winter page mentioning January 2026 may belong to the previous holiday season.
Pick an evening that works for your family
- A short scheduled program: Burbank's published ceremony lasts 30 minutes.
- The county's official celebration: The Music Center, November 30, with a 5–7 PM window.
- A big production: The Grove; choose it with the 7 PM show, fireworks, and limited space in mind.
- A transit-centered outing: Union Station, where the ceremony is in the Ticket Concourse.
- A seaside countdown: Hermosa Beach; Terranea if you want a paid, reserved outing.
- A neighborhood lights tradition: Christmas Tree Lane, with a separate Winterfest window.
- A free celebration that needs a reservation: Long Beach. Secure tickets first.
Pack layers, water, a snack, and any hearing protection your child uses. Choose one celebration per evening, allow time for parking or transit, and decide on an exit point before everyone is tired. “Free admission” does not automatically include parking, rides, food, or professional photos.
For more ideas, browse holiday events or filter the live events calendar by date and area.
