South Coast Plaza celebrates holidays with 36th annual tree lighting

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A couple take a selfie in front of the 96-foot white fir during the 36th annual South Coast Plaza tree-lighting ceremony at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa on Thursday night.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Santa Claus prepares to take the stage during the South Coast Plaza tree-lighting ceremony at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa on Thursday night.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Singers from the Orange County School of the Arts perform Christmas carols during the 36th annual South Coast Plaza tree-lighting ceremony in Costa Mesa on Thursday night.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Harp player Jillian Schlechter performs during South Coast Plaza’s tree-lighting ceremony at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Visitors get a close look at South Coast Plaza’s newly lighted 96-foot white fir tree at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa on Thursday night.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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A mother and her son gather with hundreds of other guests at the 36th annual South Coast Plaza tree-lighting ceremony on Thursday night at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Singers from the Orange County School of the Arts perform during the South Coast Plaza tree-lighting ceremony at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa on Thursday night.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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A dancer from the Orange County School of the Arts leaps onto the stage during the 36th annual South Coast Plaza tree-lighting ceremony on Thursday night at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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Orange County School of the Arts dancers dressed as reindeer and nutcrackers perform during South Coast Plaza’s tree-lighting ceremony at Town Center Park in Costa Mesa.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

By Bradley Zint

Nov. 16, 2017 9:35 PM PT

South Coast Plaza’s holiday season began Thursday night with the Costa Mesa shopping center’s annual tree-lighting ceremony.

Thousands of people descended on Town Center Park across Bristol Street from the mall and next to the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel to see the 96-foot white fir illuminated with more than 94,000 lights and a white star on top.

South Coast Plaza distributed free Santa hats and holiday drinks to the revelers witnessing the 36th annual spectacle, some of whom posed for photos with Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Dancers and singers from the Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana, accompanied by a band, performed a Broadway-style revue featuring holiday songs, snowfall and Santa Claus.

Earlier in the evening, a choir from the arts school sang traditional favorites such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”

Stan Taeger, director of property management for South Coast Plaza’s office division, told the crowd that he’s “a Christmas groupie.”

He dedicated the night “to all us folks who think Christmas is magic and the power of love of Christmas rules the world that day.”

Newport Beach resident Dennis Sundstrom attended the tree lighting with his wife, JoAnn Borg, an elementary school teacher in Corona del Mar.

“It’s great for kids,” Sundstrom said. “Very entertaining.”

“I’m always in the Christmas spirit,” he added with a smile. “I think people are nicer to each other this time of year.”

Tree lightings also are on the way at other area malls.

In Newport Beach, Fashion Island will present ceremonies at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Television personality Mario Lopez and KOST/103.5 FM’s Ellen K will host both events, which will feature live performances, Santa and snowfall.

Fashion Island’s tree is a 90-foot white fir imported from Northern California.

Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra will have its tree lighting at 7 p.m. Saturday, including a hip-hop violinist and free hot chocolate from Whole Foods Market.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint

South Coast Plaza celebrates holidays with 36th annual tree lighting

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