The city of Santee is ready to kick off the holiday season with its annual Holiday Lighting celebration at Santee Trolley Square at 9884 Mission Gorge Road on Friday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The free community event is one of the first tree lightings of the season in East County and draws thousands of families each year for a night of festive fun, live entertainment, and local pride.
“We are expecting roughly 4,000 attendees this year from Santee and surrounding communities,” said Becky Lowndes, special events supervisor at the city of Santee. “This is one of the first holiday events of the season and is highly anticipated by Santee residents.”
Among the highlights will be a snow hill and play area, face painting, games, crafts, live music, and photos with Santa. The tree lighting ceremony takes place at 6:15 p.m. at the amphitheater.
Families hoping to grab a good view are advised to arrive early.
“We suggest families be at the amphitheater no later than 6 p.m. if they would like to get a view of the tree lighting ceremony,” Lowndes said. “Parking is limited, so please allow additional time to find parking around Trolley Square.”
The Snow Hill, always a fan favorite, is being donated by Rise City Church.
“Every participant will need to sign a liability waiver and can borrow a sled to go down the snow hill,” Lowndes said. “The snow hill is suitable for all ages; children may need to be accompanied by an adult per parent or guardian discretion.”
Music lovers can look forward to performances by Upstream, a Caribbean-style band known for its lively Reggae and Soca rhythms.
“They’ll play some classic holiday hits with a Reggae/Soca twist,” Lowndes said. “With live instruments including steel drums, guests of all ages will enjoy this island rendition of their favorite songs.”
The city of Santee partners with KIMCO Realty, which manages Santee Trolley Square, to host the annual event. “Local businesses are invited to set up an outreach booth at the event to provide an engaging activity while promoting their organization,” Lowndes said.
Public transportation is strongly encouraged due to limited parking. Guests can take the MTS Copper Trolley Line or the nearby bus service, and limited ADA parking spaces will be available in adjacent lots.
Although booth applications for this year are closed, local groups interested in participating next year can email SpecialEvents@cityofsanteeca.gov for more information.
For those who can’t make it or prefer a quieter experience, the city also offers “Selfies with Santa” — a separate event that provides a smaller, more relaxed setting to meet St. Nick.
“There will be no loud music, no booths, or busy crowds; simply a close-up moment with Santa while finishing any holiday shopping,” Lowndes said.
“Holiday Lighting is a huge community event that kicks off the holiday season,” Lowndes said. “It’s a wonderful time to connect with your neighbors and local businesses while creating fun and lasting memories for the entire family.”
