Holiday season arrives in Laguna

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City Hall’s pepper tree is illuminated at the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony. ( Photo by Spencer Grant / Photo by Spencer Grant The Daily Pilot)

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Santa and “Rebecca Claus” with young admirers at his cottage on Forest Avenue. ( Photo by Spencer Grant / Photo by Spencer Grant The Daily Pilot)

By Daily Pilot staff

Dec. 3, 2016 12:59 PM PT

Laguna Beach ushered in the holiday season with a visit from Santa Claus among other festivities during the annual Hospitality Night on Friday.

Carolers strolled the streets while ice skaters took to a temporary rink staged at the U.S. Bank parking lot on Glenneyre Street, according to the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce website. The chamber and city team up on the event.

Santa helped Mayor Steve Dicterow light the pepper tree in front of City Hall, while myriad musical performances from groups including the Thurston Middle School band, the Laguna Beach Community Band and the Anneliese School choir entertained the crowd.

Guests enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies and tamales.