Holiday tree lit, Union Station ready for December festivities

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Getting ready to light the tree. Photos by Steve Hymon/Metro
Singer Krysti Chavez performs at the tree lighting.
The Tinseltones entertain travelers with a cappella renditions of traditional carols.

Special guest St. Nick stopped at Union Station last night to help light the holiday tree! (As expected, Santa arrived via the Polar Express train.) The tree is located near the Alameda Street entrance to Union Station, just outside the Old Ticket Hall. If you’re passing through the station, swing by and take some photos with the tree. It’s more than a little festive and bright.

The Tinseltones, a Los Angeles-based caroling group, entertained passersby with some tunes during the tree lighting ceremony, along with local singer Krysti Chavez.

The tree lighting kicks off a month of holiday events at Union Station. Many of you may have already heard the Salvation Army Brass Players this morning, and they will be playing holiday music for morning commuters throughout the month. Expect some jazz music this Thursday afternoon at the East Portal, and don’t miss the All-American Boys Choir Friday night! For the schedule of events, check the Union Station page. The page will be updated as more events are listed.

Holiday #treelighting at #UnionStation with special guest #Santa! Tree will be here all December ❄???

A photo posted by Metro Los Angeles (@metrolosangeles) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:14pm PST

Categories: Go Metro

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5 replies ›

  1. Don’t call it a “holiday tree” to be PC. Call it a Christmas tree. There is nothing about it that indicates that it is related to any other holiday than Christmas. There is no Huanakah colors or symbols, nor any for Eid, nor Kwanza, nor anything else. Unless you are looking to the pagan origins of the tree and refering to those holidays, it is a Christmas tree through and through.

    • Hi Just a Person;

      It is spelled “Hanukkah” or “Chanukah.”

      Steve Hymon
      Editor, The Source

    • Metro has it right, indoor trees have never been exclusive to one religion or celebration:

      According to the Encyclopædia Britannica, “The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands to symbolize eternal life was a custom of the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. Tree worship was common among the pagan Europeans and survived their conversion to Christianity.”