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As residents may be aware from Christmas commercials and decorations already available in stores, the holiday season has arrived and San Ramon Valley communities are celebrating with festive events in the coming weeks.
Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville and San Ramon are hosting tree lighting ceremonies celebrating the holidays, along with a variety of fundraisers and community events to foster the spirit of the season.
Danville will once again hold its traditional Lighting of the Old Oak Tree, this year with the return of celebrity guests Father Christmas and the Snow Angel, whom town officials say will bring the old tree to life with a sprinkle of their magic dust.
The entire downtown area will be festively decorated and residents are encouraged to stroll around and enjoy the local choral groups who will be providing musical accompaniment, as well as the hot beverages that will be passed around by neighborhood businesses.
The tree, which is over 350 years old, stands on Diablo Road a little to the west of Interstate 680. Danville’s tree lighting ceremony will be held the Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 23) from 5-8 p.m.
San Ramon’s newly opened City Center is scheduled to hold a series of tree lighting ceremonies on Nov. 28, 29 and 30 — a ceremony that City Center officials say will hopefully mark the beginning of a long and popular tradition held at the retail and community center.
Santa Claus is making the rounds this year and will also be available at the City Center ceremony, with a twist. Visitors will be able to take photos with Santa in his revamped sleigh, which features a retro motorcycle and sidecar. “Sidecar Santa” will be making appearances in City Center every weekend through Dec. 24.
Festivities also include musical performances, coffee/chocolate cheer stations and other seasonal surprises for shoppers of all ages. City Center, 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, will hold its celebration each of those three evenings from 4 – 8 p.m. with tree lightnings to begin at 6 p.m.
The 33rd annual Alamo Tree Lighting Festival will once again be held at the Andrew H. Young Park located at the corner of Danville Boulevard and Jackson Way. Santa will be in the neighborhood and be taking pictures with attendees, at least the nice ones.
Presented by the Community Foundation of Alamo as well as Alamo Parks and Recreation, the event is free to the public and set to be held Dec. 2 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Separate from community gathering events Hospice East Bay will be holding a variety of Tree of Life ceremonies throughout Contra Costa County as a way for local communities to honor their loved ones.
Donors can pay to have a tree dedicated to a loved one — both living and deceased — in order to have their names displayed on the organizations website and read at a tree lighting ceremony. Funds raised from these ceremonies will help fund Hospice East Bay and their services to the community.
“Our Tree of Lights ceremonies have provided a way for families and friends to honor their loved ones. People who attend a ceremony find solace in the symbolism of an illuminated light as the names of their loved ones are read,” wrote Cindy Hatton, president and CEO of Hospice East Bay. “These ceremonies help us raise the funds necessary to provide our high level of care to everyone who needs it.”
In Danville a Hospice Tree of Light ceremony will be held this Friday (Nov. 16) at 5:30 p.m. at the Town Meeting Hall, 201 Front St.
Eleven other Hospice Tree of Life ceremonies will be held throughout the East Bay, including Alamo next Tuesday (Nov. 20) at 6 p.m. at the Alamo Women’s Club, 1401 Danville Blvd.
Blackhawk will also be holding a Tree of Light ceremony on Dec, 7 at 5 p.m. at Blackhawk Road at Blackhawk Drive.
