Atascadero to host holiday lighting celebration Downtown on Friday
– Atascadero will host its “Light Up the Downtown” holiday celebration this Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the Sunken Gardens.
The event will run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and will include the annual countdown to illuminate Historic City Hall. The lighting will activate more than 3,000 lights throughout City Hall, Sunken Gardens, and surrounding areas as part of the second annual “Garden Lights & Winter Nights” display. The lights will remain on view through Jan. 11.
Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with musical performances by the Fine Arts Academy Honor Choir and the Atascadero Community Band. At 6 p.m., the Mayor and City Council will lead the countdown to light Historic City Hall. Santa will then arrive on the Model-A firetruck, travel around the Sunken Gardens, and make a final stop on the West Mall side of City Hall.
Visitors may take complimentary horse-drawn hayrides, receive free hot chocolate from Lighthouse Coffee, and join a complimentary tour of Historic City Hall hosted by the Atascadero Historical Society.
The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce will hold a Holiday Sip and Shop with adult beverages available at more than 20 participating Downtown businesses. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.atascaderochamber.org. Downtown businesses will be decorated and open for holiday shopping and dining.
The Musical Holiday Walk Around the Lake will take place Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Atascadero Lake. The event will include caroling, musical groups, refreshments, and holiday decorations along the lake path. The Central Coast Zoo gift shop will be open until 6:30 p.m. for holiday purchases, and Santa will be available from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Zoo Garden Event Center. The Atascadero Lake Neighborhood Association is organizing the event.
Sponsors for Light Up the Downtown include platinum sponsors Avila Traffic Safety and Souza Construction; gold sponsor MGP Coatings; and silver sponsors 5 Star Rain Gutters, Cielo Ristorante, and Waste Management. The Atascadero Fire Association provided the Model-A firetruck.
Sponsors for the Garden Lights and Winter Nights display include platinum sponsor City of Atascadero; presenting sponsors Atascadero Tourism Business Improvement District and Souza Construction; gold sponsor Avila Traffic Safety; and silver sponsors Central Coast Community Energy, H&R Block Atascadero and Paso Robles, and PG&E. The Christmas Light Guy Company designed the lighting display.
Information about upcoming city events is available at www.visitatascadero.com/events. Those interested in volunteering at Light Up the Downtown on Dec. 5 or Winter Wonderland on Dec. 12 may contact tbanish@atascadero.org.
