[singlepic id=533 w=320 h=240 float=right]Last night (Monday, Nov. 28th), hundreds and hundreds of Laguna Beach residents and tourists poured onto the Montage Laguna Beach grounds to celebrate the official beginning of the holiday event season with a fabulous tree lighting ceremony, food galore, carolers everywhere and lots of hot cocoa. As usual, the Montage did it up in classy, sophisticated style.

If you missed the Montage’s Annual Tree Lighting event, don’t go crying in your milk (but do make plans for this festive gala NEXT year!). We have two more Christmas tree lighting events (with parades and carolers in tow) this week in Laguna Beach.

Friday, Dec. 2nd, beginning at 4:00 p.m., it’s Hospitality Night and Santa’s official arrival in downtown Laguna Beach. Santa, himself, lights the Pepper Tree at City Hall at about 6:00 p.m. Then, the Santa Parade gets underway as the Jolly Old Elf works his way down Forest Ave. to situate himself in his little Santa cottage. For the remainder of the evening, Santa greet kids and helps them get to the bottom of their holiday wish lists while live bands play and stores stay open extra late for adult shoppers. More details are here: Holiday Events Laguna Beach

Then, the next evening on Saturday, Dec. 3rd, Crystal Cove does a beautiful tree lighting event right on the beach in front of the Beachcomber Cafe. Festivities begin at 3:00p.m., and Santa arrives at 4:00 p.m. The Crystal Cove tree lighting will occur at sunset.

The historical Crystal Cove event is the only holiday tree display on the beach of the entire California coast, and what a beauty that tree is. See: Holiday Calendar Laguna Beach for parking and Holiday Bazaar details for the weekend in Crystal Cove.

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