Thousands of Long Beach residents and visitors rang in the holiday season on Wednesday evening, Dec 3, with light-up reindeer antlers, Santa hats and holiday sweaters at the city’s 11th annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.

A 67-foot-tall Christmas tree and more than 500,000 lights illuminated the Terrace Theater Plaza in downtown Long Beach, officially kicking off festive celebrations for many in the region.

“On behalf of the city of Long Beach, we want to wish all of you a safe, happy and healthy holiday,” Mayor Rex Richardson said during the celebration. “Never forget that we are all neighbors; we’re all in this together.”

Along with the tree lighting, attendees also enjoyed live music, a performance by Long Beach Ballet of scenes from “The Nutcracker,” local food vendors, phot

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