Free holiday events: Christmas tree lightings

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Sure, you decorate your own Christmas tree every year, so braving the crowds and traffic to see someone else’s might seem tedious. But is your tree 100 feet tall? Didn’t think so. Here are some upcoming tree-lighting events in the area:

The Grove‘s 100-foot white fir arrived this week from Mt. Shasta in Northern California and was hoisted into place by a giant crane. The tree, which stands in the center of the outdoor shopping center in Los Angeles, will be decorated with 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments. The official lighting ceremony will take place on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.

South Coast Plaza also got its tree from the Mt. Shasta area. Its 96-foot white fir arrived in October after making a 650-mile journey. It takes three weeks to decorate the tree with 20,000 colored lights. The shopping center’s tree-lighting ceremony will take place on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa. The free event will feature holiday music, an appearance by Santa Claus and a performance by students from the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Citadel Outlets in Commerce will light its 90-foot, 15,000-pound white fir on Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m. A team of decorators will spend six days adorning the tree with more than 12,000 colored lights and bows.

The Americana at Brand in Glendale will host its Christmas tree-lighting and holiday show on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. The tree will be decorated with 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments.

Hollywood & Highland Center will light its Christmas tree on Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Central Courtyard. There will be musical performances and interactive activities.

Fashion Island in Newport Beach celebrates the beginning of the holiday season with back-to-back tree-lighting events on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. More than 17,000 lights and ornaments will adorn the shopping center’s tree. The tree-lighting events will be held in the Bloomingdale’s courtyard and will feature Santa Claus’ arrival and a song-and-dance spectacular with Olympic gymnast and Broadway performer Cathy Rigby.

Fun fact: Many malls use white fir trees because of their sturdy branches, which are less prone to drooping.

-- Andrea Chang