Crystal Cove Tree Lighting Canceled For 2020 Amid Coronavirus

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The Crystal Cove holiday tradition, typically held in early December, has brought the community and families together for holiday cheer for 23 years. In 2020, they will not light the tree due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Kate Wheeler, Conservancy President, and CEO, spoke on the pausing of the tradition in the name of public safety.

“We are of course sad not to be able to host this wonderful event again this year, but the health and safety of our members, park-goers, staff, and volunteers remain our top priority. We look forward to gathering with our neighbors again next year to welcome Santa back to the beach,” Wheeler said. “Through this crisis, we’ve all seen how important protected natural spaces like Crystal Cove are to communities, and we hope our neighbors and supporters will find their way here to explore the quiet of the park in winter until we can gather together again."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, following health and safety guidance from the state and county departments of health and California State Parks, Crystal Cove Conservancy has canceled their annual tree lighting and holiday bazaar.

While in-person gatherings are on hold for now, the Conservancy continues to provide important environmental education programs via distance learning through virtual field trips, hands-on home explorations, and engaging virtual materials, helping inspire underserved students from some of the most under-resourced schools.

Each of these programs is tied to real conservation projects in the Park and to rigorous Next Generation Science Standards, ensuring that important habitat restoration projects continue and that the programs are meeting the real needs of teachers struggling to adapt the curriculum to remote learning.

For more information, visit: www.crystalcove.org