Annual holiday tradition includes music, sweet treats, and shopping with local businesses
The community is invited to the 49th annual Lighting of the Old Oak Tree, a traditional holiday event hosted by the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Danville. The event will take place Friday, November 28 in Downtown Danville, rain or shine. The evening program starts at 5 p.m. near the Old Oak Tree on Diablo Road, between West El Pintado and the 680 freeway.
The Lighting of the Old Oak Tree is a perfect way to spend the day after Thanksgiving. The community gathers each year to honor tradition and the history of Danville by lighting the more than 350-year-old tree. The event will feature holiday favorites from local choirs before a performance by Danville native and American Idol alum Grace Leer. Danville Mayor Renee Morgan will have a holiday message and then the festivities continue with the appearance of Father Christmas and the Snow Angel, leading the crowd in a countdown to the lighting of the tree by 6:30 p.m. Then, guests are invited to stroll downtown and enjoy the festive atmosphere, including holiday entertainment at multiple locations along Hartz Avenue. The event concludes at 8 p.m., and a full entertainment map is available here.
Throughout the event, local merchants will be open to help shoppers with their gift lists. The annual tree lighting is part of a “shop local” effort to provide the community with convenient, fun ways to support local Danville businesses. Starting the next day, on Small Business Saturday, the Town will host live music at Prospect Park Plaza and kick off the Auggie Elf Holiday Hunt. More event information is available here.
The Old Oak Tree is in the median of Diablo Road, and several downtown streets will be closed to accommodate the event. Portions of Hartz Avenue, Diablo Road, Prospect Avenue, El Pintado, Front Street, and Linda Mesa Avenue will be closed from 4 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m., with a portion of Diablo Road closed from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Motorists are asked to use caution and expect delays. Free parking is available on surrounding public streets and in all downtown Municipal Parking lots.
For event information, go to www.danvilleareachamber.com or contact the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce at 925-837-4400. For street closure information, contact Melysa Vander Mel at mvandermel@danville.ca.gov.
For media photos of last year’s event, please email pio@danville.ca.gov.