Reminder: San Leandro Tree Lighting Friday

SAN LEANDRO, CA — The annual Downtown San Leandro Holiday Tree Lighting will take place this Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Estudillo Plaza.

After the tree is lit, families will be able to take photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus in the plaza.

“It’s A Wonderful Night” will include holiday entertainment, dancers and singers, holiday games, cookie decorating, interactive arts and crafts for kids and horse-drawn carriage rides. In addition to these festivities, holiday movies will also be playing outdoors all night to create a magical winter wonderland experience for neighbors and visitors of all ages.

Attendees will also be able to enjoy the Holiday Tree Lane presented by the San Leandro Improvement Association, which will feature a row of artificial holiday trees decorated by local San Leandro schools. The trees line the pathway from Washington Ave. to E. 14th Street. Bring your kids down so they can show you which tree they decorated.

San Leandro Patch Calendar

“The San Leandro Improvement Association is excited to bring back traditions from previous years that the community loves. The holiday tree lighting and ‘Holiday Tree Lane’ are fantastic ways to inspire magic and cheer and kick off the season,” said Gordon Galvan, SLIA’s president.

“We are happy to create these social events in enjoyable public spaces where families and friends can make holiday memories together in Downtown,” said Galvan.

After “It’s a Wonderful Night,” San Leandro families will still be able to enjoy the holiday festivities throughout the month of December. Building on its initial success last year, the SLIA is bringing back the Toy Soldier Sponsorship Drive with the goal of placing 25, 9 foot tall ornamental Toy Soldiers on downtown street corners for the entire month of December.

Estudillo Plaza is located at 1301 E. 14th St., 94577. Friday's night's events are FREE.

“It’s A Wonderful Night” Schedule:

5:30 p.m. Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Estudillo Plaza
5:30 – 9:00 p.m. “It’s A Wonderful Night” and Holiday Tree Lane
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Santa Claus on stage at Estudillo Plaza

-Images via San Leandro Improvement Association