As the sun set, Culver City’s downtown area bustled with excitement as families, friends, and neighbors gathered together to celebrate the city’s annual tradition. When the clock hit 6 p.m, Culver City’s Mayor Albert Vera, along with members of the Culver City Council, spoke about the gratitude they have for the people of the city and what an honor it is to have a community as strong as Culver City’s. As they prepared to countdown, Dog Man from Dog Man: The Musical, now performing at The Kirk Douglas Theater, suddenly appeared on the stage to assist in the tree lighting. As soon as the switch was flipped, all 7,500 warm white LED lights lit up the night sky as people stared in awe at the beautiful tree. Smiling faces hooted and cheered as the holiday warmth began to sink in.
On Nov. 30, this was the scene that captivated many Culver City residents at the city’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Sled-tacular, presented by Amazon Studios, which is a cherished event that brings the community together in a festive celebration to begin the holiday season. This magical tradition has captivated locals and visitors alike for years, and it continues to be a highlight of the city’s winter calendar.
This year, Santa was one of the highlights of the event as he sat in his sled next to the Culver Studios to meet children and spread the holiday joy. Culver City Parks and Recreation Community Service hosted booths, giving away popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate, and more. The Culver Hotel and movie theater might have been the busiest area of them all. Kids, big and small, excitedly waited in line for a chance to go down Culver City’s snowy slopes. The real snow made for an exciting time as siblings and friends ran around with glee.
Whether you are a long-time resident or a visitor, this event is sure to delight and amaze you. If you were in the crowd or on the stage, you were sure to enjoy the holiday music performed by students from the CCUSD schools, as they played songs like “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Lights of Hanukkah,” and “Hear Them Ring.” After the main performances, the high school AVPA jazz combo could be heard playing soft Christmas melodies. Once again, this event was a night to remember.
