Snow and Santa Arrive at Palisades Village

The Second Annual Tree Lighting Included Performances by The Adderley School

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

For the first time this year, snow fell over Palisades Village Sunday night, November 24—and there is more to come, as the development is just kicking off its holiday season.

Hundreds of community members and visitors packed the park at Palisades Village for the second year in a row to celebrate the arrival of Santa and the lighting of the 50-foot-tall tree.

This year’s show was hosted by Sarah Michelle Gellar, who shared that her family and friends are grateful to have Palisades Village nearby to visit.

Co-Honorary Mayors Billy and Janice Crystal took the stage as part of what they called their farewell tour ahead of when the two pass the gavel to the next mayor (or mayors?) in January 2020.

The two shared some jokes—including Billy lamenting about getting heckled by a 4-year-old audience member—before finishing the conversation with a serious note: gratitude for those who fought the fires that burned in and near Pacific Palisades over the past couple of months.

The Crystals were followed by Councilmember Mike Bonin, who echoed similar sentiments of gratitude for Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles Police Department and beyond.

Various performers then took the stage, with singing and dancing by students from The Adderley School, Disney Channel’s Dakota Lotus and Jayden Bartels, and Dushaunt “Fik-Shun” Stegall, the male winner of season 10 of “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Cheering members of the audience brought Santa Claus on stage, who, after a brief countdown, lit the tree in the middle of the park, as snow, again provided by MagicSnow, fell.

The celebration marked the opening of Santa’s Cottage, which is open for visits in the park through December 24. Photos start at $45 and go up to $100 for a VIP package.

The next holiday-themed event will take place on December 7, as the Village hosts its inaugural Holiday Market from 12 to 5 p.m.

“Get wrapped up in the spirit of the season at our inaugural Holiday Market, complete with pop-outs from all your favorite brands,” reads the Palisades Village website. “Shop and stroll down The Promenade to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.”

Palisades Village will host its second annual Menorah Lighting on the first night of Hanukkah, December 22.