Tree lightings near Palo Alto in 2026

The holiday season on the Midpeninsula starts with a string of small-town tree lightings. Most take place in the first two weeks of December, last an hour or two and are free. They are a good excuse to see a neighboring downtown at its best: shops open late, a school choir sings, someone in a red suit arrives and a switch is thrown.

This guide lists the 2026 dates that cities and organizers had posted by November 11, starting with Palo Alto and moving outward. For the rest of the season, from Christmas Tree Lane to Winter Lodge skating, see our holiday season guide.

The 2026 tree lighting calendar

Three of these fall on the same Friday evening, December 4. Palo Alto and Menlo Park are about 2 miles apart, but both run from 5:30 to 7 p.m., so pick one and catch the other town's decorations later in the month.

Palo Alto: Lytton Plaza, Friday, December 4

The City of Palo Alto holds its free Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, December 4, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Lytton Plaza, the small square at University Avenue and Emerson Street. Expect music, a countdown and a crowd of families spilling onto the sidewalks. The same evening is the first night of Hanukkah, which begins at sundown on December 4 in 2026, so a public menorah lighting may be on the calendar nearby. Our Hanukkah guide tracks those events.

Getting there is easy. Palo Alto Caltrain station is a five-minute walk down University Avenue. Our downtown parking guide lists the garages closest to the plaza. Read more about the plaza in our Lytton Plaza guide and plan dinner with our food and drink guides.

Menlo Park: Light Up the Season, Friday, December 4

Menlo Park's Light Up the Season runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Friday, December 4, 2026, rain or shine, at Fremont Park on Santa Cruz Avenue at University Drive. The city describes a winter wonderland theme with youth performances, photo spots and hot cocoa while supplies last. Two things are different this year. The event kicks off Menlo Park's centennial celebration. The city will also light the oak tree in the park instead of the usual pine, which it says is getting a well-deserved break.

Santa Cruz Avenue's shops and restaurants stay open around the event, which makes it an easy pairing with dinner. Our Santa Cruz Avenue guide covers the street.

Los Altos: Holiday Stroll and tree celebration

Downtown Los Altos runs two holiday evenings. The Los Altos Village Association's 23rd Holiday Stroll is on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. Its calendar also lists a Holiday Tree Celebration on Friday, December 4. Thursday evening holiday markets follow on December 10 and 17. Main Street and State Street are compact and lined with small shops, so the stroll is a relaxed way to start holiday shopping. See our downtown Los Altos guide and our holiday markets guide.

Mountain View: Monday, December 7

Mountain View's Community Tree Lighting Celebration is the biggest of the city events and the best for young children. It runs on Monday, December 7, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro Street, next to the Center for the Performing Arts. The city lists:

• The tree lighting with the mayor, the city council and Santa
• A main stage with live music and dance from community performers
• Photos with Santa and storytime with Mrs. Claus, supported by the library
• A holiday train ride, reindeer games and crafts
• Free seasonal refreshments while supplies last
• A Cops That Care toy drive and a Community Services Agency food drive

Bring a new, unwrapped toy or a few cans of food if you would like to give. Mountain View Caltrain station is a short walk up Castro Street and Castro's restaurants are steps from the plaza. Our Mountain View guide has more.

Redwood City: Hometown Holidays, Saturday, December 12

Redwood City folds its tree lighting into Hometown Holidays, an all-day festival in downtown Redwood City on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. into the evening. The city lists live entertainment, food and craft vendors around Courthouse Square, carnival rides with tickets, a holiday parade, a Santa's Village with crafts and cookie decorating and Santa photos in the rotunda of the San Mateo County History Museum. The traditional tree lighting closes the day. Details and times were still tentative in mid-November.

Redwood City Caltrain station is a short walk from Courthouse Square. See our downtown Redwood City guide.

San Jose: Christmas in the Park opening night

The earliest lighting in the area is in downtown San Jose, where Christmas in the Park opens on Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving, with an opening night at 6 p.m. The free display of lighted trees and animated scenes stays open daily through January 1, 2027. Caltrain gets you to San Jose Diridon in about 35 to 50 minutes from Palo Alto. Our Christmas in the Park guide has the details.

Shopping centers also hold their own lightings. Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo lists a Tree Lighting Celebration and Photos with Santa on its events page. Stanford Shopping Center decorates its walkways for the season. Check each center's site for 2026 times.

Tips for tree lighting night

1. Go by train when you can. Palo Alto, Mountain View, Redwood City and San Jose all have Caltrain stations within a few blocks of their lightings.
2. Eat after, not before. Restaurants near the plazas fill up right before the countdown and empty out after.
3. Dress for the low 40s °F. December evenings cool quickly after sunset, which falls just before 5 p.m. See our December weather page.
4. Bring small bills. Hot cocoa is often free, but some vendors and rides take cash.
5. Make a week of it. Pair Palo Alto on December 4 with Mountain View on December 7 and Christmas Tree Lane once it lights up.

Coming for the holidays? You can compare Palo Alto hotels within walking distance of Lytton Plaza and University Avenue.

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