Come shop, see Santa and watch us light the 25-foot tree

By Christopher Gomez | Little Italy News

Come one, come all to celebrate the holiday season at the Little Italy Association’s 19th annual Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village. There is something for everyone at this magical yuletide extravaganza.

For nearly two decades, the Little Italy Association has brought the magic of Christmas to the heart of San Diego — each year adding more magic to the event for all to enjoy. The annual event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 4–8 p.m.

Little Italy’s holiday festivities will stretch along India Street between West Cedar and Grape streets and feature festive holiday décor, seasonal vendors in the Christmas Village, live entertainment, horse carriage rides, a tree lighting, a visit from Santa, kids’ arts and crafts, surprises from the North Pole and more.

Starting at 4 p.m. Dec 2, Santa will make his way to San Diego’s Little Italy and little ones are welcome to sit with him, get their photo taken and share their Christmas wishes until 6:30 p.m. at “Santa’s Living Room,” located on the corner of India and Fir streets.

Once Santa leaves to the North Pole to get a head start on the holiday season, kids are encouraged to participate in holiday crafts with Washington Elementary STEAM Magnet School and ArtReach, a Little Italy-based nonprofit that supports visual arts education at K-6 schools throughout San Diego County.

Families can browse the iconic urban neighborhood, pick-up stocking stuffers and a plethora of holiday goodies at the Christmas Village. Little Italy’s iconic 25-foot tower of more than 1,100 stunning ruby red poinsettias in Piazza Basilone will be lit the whole evening — perfect for a Christmas card photo opportunity.

At 6:30 p.m., guests will be called to gather around the 20-foot live Christmas tree in front of the Piazza della Famiglia on West Date and India streets to witness Little Italy’s tree lighting ceremony.

Little Italy’s Tree Lighting and Christmas Village is the perfect event for family and friends to celebrate the season, connect with the community, and make memories to last a lifetime.

The Little Italy Association is pleased to spread San Diego Christmas cheer by presenting this event every holiday season. It has become a local tradition for San Diego residents and visitors to come together to kick off the season Little Italy style.

To stay connected with the neighborhood during community events, check out what’s going on by following us on Instagram and Twitter, @LittleItalySD and Facebook, at LittleItalySD. To learn more about the event, visit littleitalysd.com.

— Christopher Gomez has been Little Italy’s district manager since 2000. Reach him at [email protected].