Every kid, young and old wants to go to Christmas Tree Lane!!! Every Christmas season for more than 80 years, the majestic deodars on the “Mile of Christmas Trees” are strung with 10,000 lights. Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena is the oldest large-scale Christmas lighting spectacle in the United States.
The 92nd annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 8th starting at 6 pm. Stop by the parking lot of the Altadena Public Library at 600 E. Mendocino St in Altadena from 2 pm until 4 pm for the winter festival activities.
So take an evening’s drive on Day 209 of 365 Things To Do In (and around) Pasadena and visit Altadena’s Christmas Tree Lane!
Christmas Tree Lane website gives us the following background on the wonderful Cedar Deodars:
Deodars were introduced in 1883 to Southern California by Altadena founder John P. Woodbury who first saw a stand of the deodars in Italy.
Proclaiming them the most beautiful trees he had ever seen, he returned with seeds, and getting assurance from a friend of his at the Department of Agriculture that the trees would do well in California, had his brother Frederick nurse them at the Altadena ranch.
In two years they were transplanted to Santa Rosa Avenue, which would become a driveway from Pasadena up the near mile stretch to Woodbury’s planned estate. The mansion was never realized, but the deodar legacy was left and it flourished for over a century to follow.
The trees have outlived their age expectancy of over 100 years and continue to delight young and old each December. Community volunteers string lights along the length of these trees for thousands of people to drive by and look at. They are part of a tradition that’s been around for over 80 years.
This is the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas display in the world. It has been designated a California Historical Landmark in 1990, and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The 91st Annual Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 10th. As always, the festivities begin at the Altadena Library at 2 pm. Santa and his elves will be on hand to join in the fun along with area music groups, and lots of great vendors.
More information on the Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony, can be found here. Enjoy!
