Marin and Bay Area Holiday Tree Lighting Events

All across Marin and the Bay Area, communities celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with a traditional tree lighting ceremony. Here's a sampling of what's going on in the county.

• Downtown San Rafael 30th Annual Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland
  Friday, November 27
  On Fourth Sreet from A Street to Lootens Place in downtown San Rafael. Downtown San Rafael will once again commence the holiday season with its Winter Wonderland, Parade of Lights, and Holiday Marketplace with arts and crafts. The event starts at noon with free snow sledding and kids' activities, followed by the Holiday Market at 2 pm. The Parade of Lights begins at 5:30 pm, with Santa and Mrs. Claus's arrival and a tree-lighting immediately after.
• Ghirardelli Square 44th Annual Tree Lighting
  Friday, November 27, 5:30 pm
  Ghirardelli Square celebrates the season with its annual tree lighting ceremony. Enjoy free live entertainment for the family throughout the day; the tree lighitng is at 5:30 pm. Local meteorologist Roberta Gonzalez will be on hand to help Santa light the tree.
• Macy's 20th Annual Union Square Tree Lighting
  Friday, November 27, 6 pm
  The day after Thanksgiving is always a busy day for retailers, and for Macy's, it punctuates it with a tree-lighting ceremony. At 6 pm, the 85-foot tall California White Fir from Mt. Shasta will light up with thousands lights and 1,500 red and gold ornaments.
• Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Novato
  Saturday, December 5
  In front of 900 Sherman Avenue, Old Town Novato. Festivities start at 4:30 pm.
• Annual San Anselmo Holiday Lighting Ceremony
  Saturday, December 5, 5–7 pm
  Bring the family to the holiday lighting ceremony at San Anselmo Town Hall, sponsored by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce. There will be live holiday entertainment by Marin Girls Chorus, complimentary refreshments, candy canes, and balloons, and free pictures with Santa, courtesy of Seawood Photo. Come shop and dine downtown, too, and check out the holiday window decorations! San Anselmo Town Hall is at 525 San Anselmo Avenue.
• A Storybook Holiday Festival in the Almost Perfect Little Town of Tiburon
  Friday, December 4, 5:30 pm
  An enchanting storybook town comes to life in downtown Tiburon, along Main Street from the fountain to the end of Upper Ark Row. Festivities include classic holiday carolers, costumed characters, gingerbread house making, face painting, a Winterland Photo Shop for kids, and more wonderful holiday treats. In addition, Tiburon shops and restaurants will be open, many with discounts and specials.
• Lighting of City Hall with Santa on the Plaza
  Friday, December 4 at 5:00 pm
  Holiday, Family Fun: Every year Santa Claus rides on a vintage fire truck to the Sonoma Plaza, lights up the Christmas tree and City Hall and passes out candy canes to tots. Phone Number: (866) 996-1090. Santa will be heading to Andrews Hall at the Community Center directly after lighting up City Hall. Photos with Santa, music, warm cider, snacks, adult beverages, craft projects, & pottery sale. Photos charged separately. 6:00pm 707-938-4626 x1.
• Redwood Empire Ice Arena Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
  Friday, December 11, 7 pm
  The Redwood Empire Ice Arena will be transformed into a Victorian winter wonderland, with a 30-foot tree at center ice. Meet Snoopy and his friends at this special family event. Public skating session follows. Matinee performances at 12:30 pm on December 12 and 13.