‘Tis the season for tree lightings

You have less than 24 hours to get ready for Santa Claus’ arrival — let’s hope you’ve been good.

South Coast Plaza’s holiday tree will be lit at 6 p.m. Thursday at Town Center Park, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, according to a news release from the shopping center.

Students from the Orange County High School of the Arts will perform holiday music to ring in the festive season. The event is open and free to the public.

Newport Beach’s Fashion Island will light its holiday tree at 6 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. There will be performances by students from Orange County’s Musical Theatre University.

Along with Santa’s arrival, there will be appearances by Broadway actors, including Nicole Parker, an OC native, actor Eric Kunze and the Tony-nominated Jonelle Allen, according to a news release issued by Fashion Island.

The Fashion Island tree lightings will take place in the Neiman Marcus-Bloomingdale’s Courtyard, Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

—Mona Shadia