Celebrate the holiday season with Fashion Island’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 18-19. For two evenings, guests can get into the holiday spirit with the classic tree lighting tradition, along with a visit from Santa Claus, live musical entertainment, and a magical “snowfall.” This year marks the 49th annual tree lighting for Fashion Island, and this year’s gigantic Christmas tree is a 90-foot white fir that made the journey from Mount Shasta in Northern California to its Newport Beach destination.
Commenting on this year’s ceremony, Easther Liu, chief marketing officer for Irvine Company Retail Properties, said, “We wanted to return to our roots of focusing on the spirit of the season for the community. It will be a warm holiday celebration for all the friends and families who continue to be an important part of Fashion Island’s legacy as we get ready to usher in our 50th anniversary.”
Set in the Bloomingdale’s-Neiman Marcus Courtyard, the 2016 Tree Lighting Ceremony will be hosted by KOST 103.5 FM radio personality Mark Wallengren and will feature a 25-minute live musical performance starring The Young Americans, a non-profit traveling performance troupe based in Southern California. The group will perform a preview of their annual hit show, “The Magic of Christmas,” a popular production that features classic holiday favorites and high-energy performance numbers.
Santa Claus will lead a countdown to the lighting of the tree, which will be followed by a “snowfall” that will transform the courtyard area into a winter wonderland. So, plan to gather with family members and friends this coming weekend and enjoy the beginning of OC’s holiday festivities. As for the dazzling Christmas tree, which will be adorned with 20,000 lights and red, silver and gold ornaments, the towering white fir will remain at Fashion Island until January 2.
For more information, visit shopfashionisland.com



