A highlight of the holiday season is always the dramatic lighting of the City Center tree. This year’s holiday launch event comes at 6pm on December 1, with holiday music from the Monte Vista High School Band, SideNote a cappella singers, the story of The Nutcracker by Diablo Ballet, and Santa’s arrival in his red convertible T-Bird. After the performances, enjoy visits with Santa and roaming entertainers like jugglers and stilt walkers.