Marin and Bay Area Holiday Tree Lighting Events 2012

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 throughout Marin County, San Francisco, and Sonoma.

• Downtown San Rafael 33rd Annual Parade of Lights and Winter Wonderland
  Friday, November 23, noon–8 pm
  Saturday, November 24, 9 am–noon
  Downtown San Rafael will once again commence the holiday season with its Winter Wonderland, Parade of Lights, and Holiday Marketplace with arts and crafts that starts the Friday after Thanksgiving and continues through Saturday November 24. Free snow sledding and kids activities from noon–4:30 pm and 6–8 pm, and Holiday Marketplace from noon–8 pm. The Parade of Lights begins at 5:30 pm with Santa and Mrs. Claus's arrival and, a tree-lighting takes place immediately after. Kids activities and snow sledding continue on Saturday, November 24, from 9 am–noon. On Fourth Sreet from B Street to Lootens Place in downtown San Rafael.
• Ghirardelli Square 48th Annual Tree Lighting
  Friday, November 23, 5:30 pm
  Enjoy free live entertainment for the entire family throughout the day culminating with the lighting of the Ghirardelli Square tree at 5:30 pm. Performers include Contra Costa Chorale, City Opera SF, and the Yuletide Carolers. Lola Toy Stop will be offering a small gift for each child visiting the store from 4–6:30 pm (ages 9 and under, while supplies last). Ghirardelli Square, 900 North Point Street (at Beach and Larkin), San Francisco
• Macy's 23rd Annual Union Square Tree Lighting
  Friday, November 23, 6 pm
  Macy's gift to the city and San Francisco's most recognized Christmas tree will be officially lit in Union Square at 6 pm. An 80-foot fir tree will be adorned with 21,000 energy-efficient LED lights. Festivities inlcude a performance by The Voice's Chris Mann, and of course the arrival of Santa Claus himself. Union Square, Post and Stockton Streets, San Francisco.
• Santa Rosa Winter Lights Tree Lighting Celebration
  Friday, November 23, noon–7 pm
  Enjoy free family activities in Courthouse Square, including pictures with Santa, crafts, card making, live holiday music, and interactive exhibits from the Children's Museum of Sonoma County. Tree lighting program begins at 6 pm. Old Courthouse Square, Santa Rosa Avenue and 4th Street, Santa Rosa.
• Tiburon Holiday Festival
  Friday, November 30, 6 pm
  On Friday, November 30, ice skating returns to downtown Tiburon! In addition to the outdoor ice skating rink, the Tiburon Winter Festival will feature the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 pm, classic holiday carolers, costumed characters strolling along Main Street, gingerbread house decorating, and more! The outdoor ice skating rink for families runs from 3:30–9 pm (sessions run every half hour) and the cost is $25 advance reservation (prices are per person per half-hour session and include skate rental). The traditional Fountain Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony starts at 6 pm with classic holiday carolers, costumed characters strolling along Main Street, wonderful holiday treats, gingerbread house decorating at Sam's Anchor Cafe ($30 per house), winterland snow globe making/photo shop for kids, and more!
  
• Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Novato
  Saturday, December 1, 4:30–8:30 pm
  This Joyous community event has been wonderfully successful for many years past. People come from all over the bay area. And you’ll find our favorite activity, Santa’s Village for the children. Great photo opportunities. Holiday tree lighting, caroling, hot cider and community fun. Santa arrives at 5:45 pm and tree lighting around 6 pm. Festivities take place in front of Novato City Hall at 900 Sherman Avenue (at Grant Avenue), in Old Town Novato.
  
• Annual San Anselmo Holiday Lighting Ceremony
  Saturday, December 1, 5–6:30 pm
  Bring the family to the holiday lighting ceremony at San Anselmo Town Hall, 525 San Anselmo Avenue, sponsored by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce and the San Anselmo Recreation Department. See Santa arrive in a fire truck and have your picture taken with him. Enjoy kids' activities complimentary refreshments donated by local businesses, holiday entertainmen
• Snoopy's Home Ice Arena Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
  Friday, December 7, 6 pm
  Join Snoopy, and professional skaters from Lisa Navarro’s Visions Ice Theater Project for a memorable evening of skating and holiday cheer. Hot cider and sugar cookies will be served. Pre-event entertainment features vignettes from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Meet Snoopy and friends after the show. Public skating session ($5 per person including skates) follows the ceremonies. Redwood Empire Ice Arena, 1667 West Steele Lane, Santa Rosa.
• Santa's Arrival in Sonoma Valley
  Friday, December 7, 5:30 pm
  Santa visits the Plaza to help with the lighting of the city's holiday tree. Hot chocolate and candy canes are served. For more info, call (707) 996-1033.

Photo courtesy Pier 39