San Diego’s Little Italy will kick off the holiday season on Saturday evening with an unconventional take on the traditional tree lighting ceremony: The neighborhood’s holiday centerpiece is made of more than 1,100 red poinsettias.
The Little Italy Association is hosting the 16th Annual Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at W. Fir between Columbia and Kettner.
Santa Claus is slated to make a grand appearance, riding in on Little Italy Fire Engine 3 to take photos with attendees from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
There will also be a kids craft station by the Washington Elementary STEAM Magnet school and ArtReach. Venders from the popular Little Italy Mercato farmers market will have a holiday shopping market for attendees looking to get a head start on their Christmas lists, according to event organizers.
The poinsettia tree lights will be flipped on at 5:30 p.m. at Piazza Basilone. Performances by Kaleidoscope Carolers, The Pizarro Brothers and students from Washington Elementary School will round out the evening.
— City News Service
