A 100-foot Christmas tree has landed at The Grove in Los Angeles, hand-selected from Mount Shasta and hoisted into place as the Fairfax District shopping and entertainment center gears up for its 25th annual holiday celebration. The towering fir is the centerpiece of a free tree-lighting event set for Monday, Nov. 16, with actor and singer Lance Bass hosting.
A Quarter-Century of Lighting Up Fairfax
News helicopter Sky5 captured crews maneuvering the massive tree through The Grove property earlier Monday, according to KTLA. The tree’s arrival marks the unofficial start of the holiday season at the Fairfax District destination, which this year celebrates 25 years of hosting its annual tree-lighting tradition. As MyNewsLA reported, the tree arrived in Los Angeles Monday as the center prepared for the milestone celebration.
Getting the tree into position wasn’t a simple task. A giant crane was required to hoist the tree into place, the station’s report noted. Once lit, the tree will anchor a Nov. 16 program that organizers said will include a drone show, fireworks and Santa Claus’s arrival, along with the season’s first artificial snowfall, per the same account.
Star Power and a Packed Lineup
Organizers said Bass will host the free public event, which is set to feature performances by Nicole Scherzinger, Jason Mraz, Mark Ambor, Jamie Miller, American Authors, Kenedi Anderson, performers from O by Cirque du Soleil and others, according to the report. The celebration is expected to be recorded for broadcast, though a date and time for that airing have not been announced, the outlet reported.
The Grove’s own description of the tree calls it a showstopper, standing proud at 100 feet, saying on its website that the tree has traveled from Mt. Shasta to The Grove. Published decoration counts vary: The Grove’s website states the tree is adorned with 15,000 lights and more than 10,000 festive ornaments, while a KTLA report describes more than 15,000 lights and 10,000 ornaments — though that report’s snippet is dated October 2025 and may describe an earlier season’s tree.
What's Planned After the Lighting
Beyond opening night, The Grove will begin offering photos with Santa starting Nov. 17, along with designated dates for pet photos, organizers said. Nightly snowfall events are scheduled to run from Nov. 17 through Jan. 3, 2027, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to the report. The Grove is also set to hold its first Santa brunch event on Dec. 5 at Alma Cocina de Mexico, per the same account.
