Holiday Tree Ceremonies Light Up Scotts Valley and SC County

Scotts Valley Christmas Tree Lighting Festival, Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.: The Scotts Valley Community Center will be filled with festive holiday music tunes and decorations as the SV Chamber of Commerce lights its tree. Santa will also be present. 

Watsonville Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m., Held right after Snow Day, the ceremony involves the lighting of a 30-foot live tree donated by a community member. It will also include Santa Claus and a youth choir. After the holiday season, the tree will be planted in a city park. 

Capitola Village Tree Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m., Held after the Shoreline Middle School Band performs holiday selections at 5 p.m., a giant tree lighting ceremony will take place in front of the arbor at the intersection of Capitola and Stockton Avenues. 

Hospice of Santa Cruz County Tree Lighting, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., The annual “Tree of Lights” ceremony in Aptos is held to remember loved ones throughout the holiday season. 

Whale Lighting Ceremony, Dec. 2, 5:45 p.m., In an “only in Santa Cruz” event, the 87-foot blue whale skeleton at Long Marine Lab will be lit up. There will also be gifts for early holiday shoppers, live music and arts and crafts activities for kids.