Photo Courtesy of The Little Italy Association
A perfect way to spend an afternoon with family, Little Italy is decking the halls with a tree lighting and Christmas Village experience, Saturday December 1. If you’re feeling a tad Scroogey this year, jumpstart some holiday spirit and get an early start on Christmas shopping during this annual event that is free to the community. The Little Italy Association is expecting a turnout of 2,000 people, but is offering valet parking for $7 a car. Live music, hand-crafted goods, authentic Italian food, and a visit from a few of the North Pole’s favorite residents are just a few reasons to head to San Diego’s Little Italy district to get a taste of the season. The Little Italy Farmer’s Market will open the Christmas Village at 4 pm, showcasing unique, handmade gifts and craft ideas for Christmas.
At 4:30, Santa, who is allowing his reindeer to rest-up before the busy season, will arrive aboard the Little Italy Fire Engine # 3 to help with tree-lighting and carol singing. San Diego’s Marine Corps Jazz Band will encourage the crowd to sing along to some of the season’s best-loved songs until its dark enough to give life to this year’s tree. Between 6:45 and 7 Mayor Jerry Sanders among other local officials will ring in the season at the corner of India and W. Date Street, the Piazza Natale, as the Christmas tree lights up an intimate corner of Little Italy.
