holiday season on Wednesday, December 7^th at 7:00pm at Lights Up! A New Community Holiday Lighting Celebration in front of Piedmont Community Hall.

This event represents an expansion and evolution of Piedmont’s beloved holiday tree lighting ceremony, which dates back to 1969. Longstanding traditions, including the illumination of the 80-foot redwood tree and a cappella serenades by Piedmont High School’s Troubadours will continue, enhanced this year by new additions intended to create a more inclusive and welcoming event that celebrates the diversity of our community.

In the depths of winter, celebrations centered around light are common to cultures across the globe. Building on this theme, Lights Up! will include new lighting around the park, the lighting of a menorah concurrently with the tree, and an interactive activity hosted by Piedmont’s Girl Scouts inviting attendees to document how they plan to share their own inner light in the new year. Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area will provide a recipient to flip the switch for the lights.

Piedmont Boy Scouts will serve warm apple cider and hot cocoa generously provided by Piedmont Grocery and Heafey Baum Group, respectively, while Chabad Oakland will add to the festivities this year with a latke station. The Piedmont Recreation Department will provide a variety of activities to entertain young children.

Per tradition, Santa Claus will be available for photos inside Community Hall, and children are invited to write letters to Santa and deposit them in a special mailbox addressed to North Pole. Santa will read every letter. Children with special needs will be able to see Santa starting at 6:00pm.