(credit: Montage Laguna Beach)

Ready to light up the season, and get in the spirit of the holidays? Nothing does the celebratory trick like a big, beautiful, grand tree lighting ceremony. Put these destinations on your must-see ceremony list, and enjoy the special time with loved ones. You’ll find November events here from the beach to the city to the park.

(credit: Montage Laguna Beach)

Montage Laguna Beach

30801 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-715-6000
montagelagunabeach.com

The Tree Lighting ceremony at Montage Laguna Beach is a beautiful way to begin the season. The event, Nov. 26 at 4:30 pm, is open to the public, and the resort always puts on a fabulous, festive evening. So gather your friends and family for a special evening of holiday carolers, hot cocoa, children’s activities, live music and the traditional tree lighting ceremony in the gorgeous oceanfront setting. (You can also make a night of it if you’d like; the resort is offering a special price of $325 for the oceanfront accommodations and amenities for one full day and night.)

(credit: Fashion Island)

Fashion Island Tree Lighting Ceremony

401 Newport Center Dr.,
Newport Beach, CA 92660

949-721-2000
shopfashionisland.com

Visit Fashion Island for the Tree Lighting Ceremony with special guests from the Disneyland Resort as Mickey and some of his Disney pals help ring in the holiday season and light the tree. Fashion Island’s Tree Lighting Celebration will be held November 13 and 14 at 6 pm. For more information, call Fashion Island Guest Services at (949) 721-2000 or visit HolidayStyleOC.com.

(credit: disneylandnews.com)

Disneyland Resort

1313 South Harbor Boulevard,
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-781-7290
disneyland.go.com

Speaking of Disneyland Resort, they light up their season in Anaheim starting Nov. 12, 2012. They don’t have one official tree lighting, but the Christmas tree on Town Square will be lit every night, and a new tree on Buena Vista Street will also be lit nightly this year. Charming, vintage décor will be spread throughout Disney California Adventure too. “It’s A Small World” Holiday kicks off the official “first night” for the Holidays season Nov. 12.

(credit: Newport Dunes)

Dune’s Lighting of the Bay

Newport Dunes
101 N. Bayside Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
800-729-DUNE
newportdunes.com

Even Santa’s a fan of Stand Up Paddleboard, and he’ll preside over the festivities SUP-style. On Friday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m., Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort will host its annual Lighting of the Bay ceremony where Santa will flip a switch to illuminate 50 electric Christmas trees situated on the bay. The free event, which has been a tradition for two decades, will be held at the gazebo this year to accommodate the growing number of attendees, expected to exceed 500 guests. Festivities will include live musical performances, Christmas carol sing-a-long and more. Also, guests can order their Christmas trees from a lot right on property where Nobles, Nordmans and Grand Firs range from 3′-15′ will be available.

(credit: OC Parks)

OC Parks Holiday Tree Lighting

Irvine Ranch Historic Park

13042 Old Myford Rd.
Irvine, CA 92602
714-973-6609
ocparks.com



Join OC Parks and OC Public Libraries on Thursday, Nov. 29 for the second annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Irvine Ranch Historic Park. The event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. will feature holiday performances, music and refreshments, and a special appearance by Santa Claus in a beautiful, historic setting. Complimentary festivities will culminate with the lighting of the large redwood tree adjacent to the library. The event is free and all ages welcome. Food trucks will be on site too selling treats.

Debbie Lavdas is a Southern California writer who also writes for Laguna Beach Magazine, Bask Magazine and more. Keep up with her at @DebLavdas on Twitter or DebbieintheOC.com.