Mayor Robert Garcia will flip the switch on Long Beach’s tallest Christmas tree Monday, December 7, the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (Long Beach CVB) announced Friday. Everyone is invited to attend the holiday celebration at the Terrace Plaza at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center from 5:00PM to 8:00PM.

The tree lighting ceremony is just one facet of a free public event sponsored by the City of Long Beach, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center/SMG and the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, according to the announcement.

“We hope to spark a new annual holiday tradition as Mayor Garcia flips the switch to turn on 35,000 twinkling LED lights on our 40-foot Christmas tree,” said Steve Goodling, President and CEO of the Long Beach CVB, in a statement. “We have also installed thousands of additional holiday lights to brighten up the Terrace Plaza and fountains with holiday spirit.”

Bring the entire family for a fun-filled evening, complete with holiday “selfie” stations, free train rides for the young ones, a DJ providing the holiday music and Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on hand to pose for pictures (so don’t forget your camera). Free holiday sweets and local food trucks serving grub to purchase will be available.

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Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].