Grove Christmas Tree

The tradition of lighting The Grove Christmas Tree takes place in mid-November after it was begun in 2002 by real estate developer and businessman Rick J. Caruso. He aimed to make the tree the centerpiece of his retail and entertainment complex, The Grove in Los Angeles, during the Christmas season. In time, the popularity of the annual lighting ceremony eventually rivaled that of the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40358338 |title=America’s tallest Christmas Trees |website=NBC News |date=December 1, 2010 |last=Zaitchik |first=Alexander |access-date=12 June 2013}} in Midtown Manhattan, New York. The Grove Christmas Tree measures 100 to 110 feet while the Rockefeller Center tree is only about 75 to 90 feet.{{cite news |url=http://traveltips.usatoday.com/christmas-trees-worth-traveling-for-20826.html |title=Christmas Trees Worth Traveling For |newspaper=USA Today |date= |last=Arnold |first=Elizabeth |access-date=13 June 2013}}

The first white fir tree used for the event was harvested from the Mount Shasta region in Northern California in 2010.{{cite news |url=http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2010/11/01/100-foot-christmas-tree-arrives-at-the-grove/ |title=100 – Foot Christmas Tree Arrives at the Grove |website=KCBS-TV |date=November 1, 2010 |author= |access-date=13 June 2013}} The following year, a 100-foot white fir was decorated with more than 10,000 lights and 15,000 ornaments,{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/10/christmas-tree-americana-brand.html |title=100-Foot Christmas tree arrives at Americana at Brand |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 30, 2012 |first=Jason |last=Wells |access-date=13 June 2013}} setting the precedent for successive Christmas trees for The Grove at Farmers Market.

Among the performers who have graced the event are operatic acts Il Divo and Jackie Evancho, pop singers The Backstreet Boys, Michael Bolton, Far East Movement, Colbie Caillat, Sean Kingston, Gavin DeGraw, and Robin Thicke as well as American Idol alumni Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery, and Phillip Phillips.{{cite web|url=http://www.phillphill.com/phillip-phillips-at-the-groves-tenth-annual-tree-lighting/ |title=Phillip Phillips at The Grove’s 10th Annual Tree Lighting |website=Phillip Phillips Online |access-date=13 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112225343/http://www.phillphill.com/phillip-phillips-at-the-groves-tenth-annual-tree-lighting/ |archivedate=November 12, 2013 }} Caruso’s Top Hats Dancers Rachel Montez Collins and Kathryn Burns have also showcased their famous act. Actor and celebrity insider Mario Lopez hosts{{cite web |url=http://www.wzratv.com/post/35638984987/the-groves-10th-annual-star-studded-tree-lighting |title=The Grove’s 10th Annual Star Studded Tree Lighting |website=Wzra TV (blog) |access-date=13 June 2013 |author= |date=}} the annual celebration.

For the 10th anniversary of the Christmas tree lighting, The Grove partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for its “Season of Wishes” campaign. Christmas lights and baubles covered the white fir tree as well as everything else at The Grove. The evening showcased artificial snowfall, bubbles, and a fireworks finale.

KCBS-TV, the Los Angeles area affiliate (and West Coast flagship station) of CBS, televised The Grove Christmas Tree lighting live every year until 2020. After CBS took over broadcasting the National Christmas Tree lighting in 2021, Fox West Coast flagship KTTV took over broadcast rights.

It is syndicated to hundreds of television stations across the United States, including most of the Fox network's owned-and-operated stations and other affiliates as well.{{cite web |url=http://www.thegrovela.com/m/featured_promo.php?id=766 |title=Miss The Grove Tree Lighting? Watch it on TV! |website=The Grove LA |access-date=13 June 2013 |author= |date=}}

• Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
• Rich's Great Tree
• National Christmas Tree
• California Capitol Christmas Tree
• Hollywood Christmas Parade
• Capitol Christmas Tree
• White House Christmas tree
• Vatican Christmas Tree
• List of individual trees

{{reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061120050551/http://www.thegrovela.com/concierge/news/ The Grove at Farmer's Market]
• [http://www.wishla.org/a_season_of_wishes.htm Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles' Season of Wishes campaign]{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

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Category:Individual Christmas trees

Category:Culture of Hollywood, Los Angeles

Category:Tourist attractions in Los Angeles

Category:Fairfax, Los Angeles

Category:Christmas in California

Category:Individual trees in California

Category:2002 establishments in California