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In Photos: Long Beach decks the plaza at 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

byRichard H. Grant, Photo Editor
December 6, 2022
4 minute read
A drone photo reveals many of the half million lights on display at the Long Beach Terrace Theater during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
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Faux snow and merry tunes fell on the hundreds of residents who gathered for the 8th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Long Beach Terrace Theater on Dec. 5. 

The highlight of the event was the new 67-foot tall Christmas tree, 17 feet taller than previous years, that was illuminated by Mayor Robert Garica. Garcia started the annual tradition during his tenure and will be passing the tradition along to Mayor-elect Rex Richardson while he heads to Congress to represent Long Beach. 

“This will be my very last time lighting this tree as mayor; I’m going to miss it immensely,” Garcia said before lighting the tree. “But I look forward to coming back, hopefully in another capacity as a congressman.”

Mayor Robert Garcia moves the lever that illuminates the Christmas tree during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. Garcia started the tree lighting ceremony when he became mayor, but this is his last ceremony as he heads off to represent Long Beach in Congress. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

Before lighting the tree, Garcia brought out all of the Long Beach Councilmembers, including the newly-elected members. 

Attendees enjoyed performances from the Southern California Brass Consortium, acapella group SoCal VoCal and a ballet performance inspired by “The Nutcracker.” 

The lighting of the tree added to the over 500,000 lights on display throughout the theater plaza with different Christmas-themed light displays. The Long Beach Visitors Bureau is holding a contest this year for the best photo of the light displays on Instagram with a $500 prize. 

In Photos:

A young boy sitting on his father’s shoulders sticks out his tongue to catch faux snow falling at the Long Beach Terrace Theater during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Ballet dancers perform movements from The Nutcracker at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
An American Sign Language interpreter communicates the sign for Christmas during a speech at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
French horn players from the SoCal Brass Consortium follow along with sheet music while performing at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Current Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia introduces Mayor-elect Rex Richardson to the stage during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. Garcia started the tree lighting ceremony when he became mayor, but this is his last ceremony as he heads off to represent Long Beach in Congress. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Fireworks erupt from the top of the Long Beach Terrace Theater after the lights are turned on for the Christmas tree during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Mayor Robert Garcia records a video on his phone while faux snow falls on attendees at the Long Beach Terrace Theater during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
A woman jumps up while inside a Christmas ornament-shaped light display at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
A woman poses for a photo in front of a row of Christmas ornament-shaped light displays at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
A couple looks towards each other while holding a small dog under the lights of a Christmas tree on display at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
John Sangmeister poses for a quick picture with his Christmas tree-themed hat at the Long Beach Terrace Theater during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Jets of water colored with lights burst up from the pool filled with lit-up trees in the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
A young girl bathed in green light holds her hands out to catch some faux snow falling at the Long Beach Terrace Theater during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
Singers from SoCal VoCals acapella group perform at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
A group of friends take a photo inside of a Christmas ornament-shaped light display at the Long Beach Terrace Theater plaza during the 8th annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)
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Richard H. Grant, Photo Editor