A tree lighting ceremony will mark the start of the holiday season in Santa Maria.
The tree up decorated in the City Hall Courtyard will be lit Tuesday at 6 p.m.
While no in-person event is taking place this year, the event will be live streamed on Facebook.
The tree is usually lit annually to mark the start of the Santa Maria Rotary Christmas Parade of Lights.
With this year’s parade canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the lights on the tree will be turned on at the start of the Santa Maria City Council meeting.
The lighting will be streamed live on Facebook. The recreation and parks division says anyone who comments "Happy Holiday" on the live stream will be entered to win a gift card for a Christmas Tree. Five winners will be announced Dec. 2 at noon.
