Anaheim Tree Lighting
Anaheim, CA
Anaheim’s official civic tree lighting at City Hall — a 31-year tradition built around the Anaheim Ballet, dog costume contest, and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Center Street Promenade.
Anaheim’s official civic tree lighting at City Hall — a 31-year tradition built around the Anaheim Ballet, dog costume contest, and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Center Street Promenade.
The Nutcracker Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Village is Anaheim‘s official civic kickoff to the holiday season — a 31-year tradition organized by the Nutcracker Holiday Committee, the City of Anaheim, the Downtown Anaheim Association, and the Anaheim Community Foundation. The day-into-evening event takes over the Center Street Promenade and the steps of City Hall, with the tree itself anchoring the ceremony at the corner of Clementine Street and Center Street Promenade.
The Holiday Village runs from noon to 7:00 PM with a dog costume contest, holiday crafts, holiday shopping, and photos with Santa. The evening ceremony features performances by Sean Oliu, the Anaheim Ballet, the combined choirs of the Anaheim Union High School District, and the official lighting of the tree, with Santa and Mrs. Claus presiding. The event regularly draws 5,000–10,000 attendees.
For families in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, and across north OC, this is the civic holiday anchor of the year — the moment downtown commits to its full holiday self.
At the corner of Clementine Street and Center Street Promenade, on the steps of Anaheim City Hall (200 S Anaheim Blvd). The Holiday Village runs along the Promenade.
The Holiday Village runs from noon to 7:00 PM. The tree lighting ceremony itself is in the evening; performances by the Anaheim Ballet and the school district choirs build to the lighting.
Yes — the event is free to attend. The dog costume contest, crafts, and photos with Santa are all included. Some vendors sell food and goods separately.
Yes — both Santa and Mrs. Claus preside over the official tree lighting and are available for photos throughout the evening program.
Anaheim’s downtown parking structures along Anaheim Boulevard are the most reliable. Walk-in distance to the Center Street Promenade is short; surrounding street parking fills quickly through the afternoon.
The Center Street Promenade is downtown Anaheim’s walkable civic corridor — a pedestrian-scaled stretch between Anaheim Boulevard and Clementine Street, anchored at one end by the steps of Anaheim City Hall. The Promenade serves as the city’s main civic gathering space outside the Convention Center / Disneyland district, with the Anaheim Packing House, Center Street Anaheim, and the MUZEO Museum and Cultural Center all clustered within a few blocks. Metrolink’s Anaheim ARTIC station sits a short ride east.
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.