A clown, on stilts, runs by the fans to greet them to the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
Kids and parents squeeze to the barrier to watch the Christmas show “Cirque du Santa” at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A performer, who defied gravity to perform high above the stage with two pieces of cloth, salutes the crowd during her performance at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
Performers during the show at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
The crowds at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A performer at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A clown, on stilts, and his shadow, run near the stage at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A performer, in a large, inflated ball, at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A performer, on a large steel ring, rolls around the stage at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A clown, on stilts, dances with a member of the audience at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
Performers make their way to the stage moments before the start of the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A ballerina started the show at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
Kids and parents watch the show at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A clown strains to listen to the Christmas music at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
The Christmas tree is officially lit at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
A performer at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)
Wrapped in two long trails of ribbon, a performer dances above the stage at the annual Americana at Brand holiday tree lighting ceremony ¿Cirque du Santa¿ on Thursday, November 17, 2011. (Tim Berger/Staff Photographer)