Getting into the holiday spirit is easy in a city like ours with so many festive shows, concerts, winter wonderland experiences and places to see holiday lights. But if you’re looking for a ceremonial kick-off to the holidays, these Christmas tree lighting ceremonies are a fun way to mark the start of the season.

Find the best family-friendly Christmas tree and holiday lighting events across L.A., including dates, times, locations and what to expect at each holiday celebration.

Citadel Outlets Tree Lighting Concert & Ceremony

Nov. 7 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. | Citadel Outlets, 100 Citadel Dr., Los Angeles, 90040

Kick off the holiday season at Citadel Outlets with a free live concert featuring a lineup of special guests, festive cheer and holiday magic at their 25th Annual Tree Lighting Concert & Ceremony. Concert starts at 5 p.m.

Westwood Village Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Nov. 14 from 4 – 7 p.m. | Broxton Plaza,1036 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles, 90024

Celebrate the Holidays in Westwood Village with free festive fun on Broxton Plaza! Enjoy hands-on holiday adult and kids’ crafts, photos with Santa, hot cocoa and cookies, live music, a bounce house, and even a little fake snow. The evening wraps up with the official lighting the Westwood Village Holiday Tree to celebrate the start of the season! Free and open to all — bring your friends, family, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Holiday Ice Rink Grand Opening and DTLA’s Tree Lighting Ceremony

Nov. 19 from 5 – 7 p.m. |Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., Los Angele, 90013 

Celebrate the Opening of The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square with on-ice performances, Grand Arts Holiday Jazz Carolers from the Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, a special visit from Buddy the Elf from “Elf the Musical” at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, festive treats, first skate of the season and culminating in the holiday tree lighting.

The Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square runs through Jan. 3.

Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration

Nov. 19 from 5 – 8 p.m. | Rodeo Drive, 328 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 90210

Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration returns to Beverly Hills for its grand kickoff on Nov. 19. Enjoy live entertainment, the arrival of Santa Claus and a fireworks finale as all three blocks of Rodeo Drive light up for the holidays.

The Vineyards Tree Lighting Celebration

Nov. 19 from 6 – 8 p.m. | The Vineyards at Porter Ranch20065 Rinaldi St., Northridge, 91326

Join The Vineyards for free, family-friendly fun at their annual Tree Lighting Celebration. Celebrate the season with an evening full of holiday cheer, live performances, and festive activities for all ages. Bring the whole family and make magical holiday memories with us on the Town Green.

11th Annual Union Station Tree Lighting Ceremony

Nov. 19 from 6 – 8 p.m. | Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, 90012 

The holidays are pulling into Los Angeles Union Station. On Thursday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., the landmark will host its 11th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the station’s historic Ticket Concourse.

Mid-century pop culture expert Charles Phoenix will host the free, family-friendly evening, offering Angelenos a fun and memorable way to kick off the season. Guests can enjoy live entertainment and take photos with Santa before he and his elves go on stage to lead the spirited countdown and light the station’s 30-foot tree.

Los Angeles-based Mariachi Ausente, one of the city’s most sought-after mariachi bands, will open the event followed by a headline performance from 10-piece jazz sensation, Lizzy & the Triggermen – with all festive sounds of the season presented by Metro Art Presents.

The celebration will also feature a cookie counter serving sweet treats, and towering stilt walkers roaming the station in festive costumes, with Union Station’s signature holiday décor providing a picture-perfect backdrop.

2nd & PCH Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa Arrival

Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. | 2nd & PCH, 6400 Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach

2nd & PCH’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa Arrival kicks off the holiday season on Nov. 19. Take in live music, family-friendly activities and a grand fireworks finale with Santa’s arrival at the Long Beach shopping center.

Autry Museum Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration

Nov. 21 from 6 – 9 p.m. | Autry Museum, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, 90027

Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a performance by The Sugarplums, winners of the The CW’s Christmas Caroler Challenge, a national singing competition! Enjoy their sweet harmonies of your favorite holiday classics like White Christmas and Jingle Bells with a touch of retro flair that appeals to music lovers of all ages.

After the tree lighting on the Autry Plaza, move inside and enjoy a live DJ, line dancing lessons, holiday drinks and food for purchase, access to all museum galleries, and holiday shopping at the Autry Store with a special discount!

Terranea’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Nov. 28 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. | Terranea Resort, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, 90275

Terranea’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will officially launch the holiday season with the lighting of a 30-foot holiday tree adorned with hundreds of ornaments, lights and a brilliant star. The celebration will feature caroling and dance performances by local arts groups, along with holiday activities for families. Guests can take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy rides aboard a festive trackless train and send postcards to Santa’s North Pole workshop. Seasonal refreshments will include hot chocolate and cider stations, decorated cookies available for purchase, grab-and-go bites and a cash bar. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy donation for Toys for Tots.

Paséa Hotel & Spa Tree Lighting Ceremony

Dec. 2 from 6 – 8 p.m. | Paséa Hotel & Spa21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach

Join the Paséa Hotel & Spa for a magical holiday Tree Lighting event at the beach. Enjoy a dazzling performance from the Orange County School of the Arts holiday carolers, Santa visits, photo ops and shopping with local vendors as they light our 30-foot Christmas tree at their new event location: in front of the hotel!

Visitors will be welcomed with complimentary hot cocoa upon arrival and are invited to nosh on other themed bites and delights during this seaside holiday experience.

Grand Illuminations

Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. | The Yard at Cal Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 90071

Join Grand Performances and the DTLA Alliance for a dazzling display of color, motion and magic by L.A.-based Liquid PXL as they light up The Yard at Cal Plaza for another holiday season. The opening celebration begins with a stage show at 5 p.m., a community countdown and tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. followed by a live band. The opening event coincides with DTLA ArtNight: Grand Avenue, which features a holiday market from noon – 8 p.m.

The City of San Fernando Tree Lighting

Dec. 5 from 5 – 9 p.m. |San Fernando City Hall, 117 N. Macneil St., San Fernando, 91340

Kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the Downtown holiday tree. Join the City of San Fernando for all the festive fun with holiday carols, entertainment, a visit from Santa himself and more. Highlights include free photos with Santa, live performances, Santa’s Workshop and local vendors.

For more holiday lights and other winter holiday events, check out our L.A. Parent calendar.