Artificial snow falls over the crowd gathered for the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students from Orange County School of the Arts’ Montage! perform during the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bo and Scooter of Ladera Ranch wear festive attire while watching the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Country artist Caleb Lee Hutchinson performs during the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A young visitor watches as artificial snow falls over the crowd gathered for the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Students from Orange County School of the Arts’ Montage! perform during the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A nearly full moon rises over Christmas tree at the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Santa makes an appearance with the students from Orange County School of the Arts’ Montage! during the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds gather for the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors to the Outlets at San Clemente walk past some of the many Christmas decorations just prior to the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A young visitor wears a festive hat while watching the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Artificial snow falls over the crowd gathered for the 10th annual Christmas tree lighting celebration held at the Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Holiday magic is at the Outlets of San Clemente, and the cheer was rung with a little more than jingling bells during Orange County’s first tree lighting ceremony.
Caleb Lee Hutchinson, a singer-songwriter who participated in “American Idol” Season 16, belted out some Christmas tunes during Saturday’s, Nov. 16, tree-lighting ceremony. Other musical performances included Calvary South OC Worship, Full Circle Boys and students from Orange County School of the Arts’ Montage.
The event — which also included the coastal-themed Santa Clemente Village — was sponsored by Providence Mission Hospital.
“The tree-lighting celebration is always a very special event that brings the community together to kick off the holiday season, and this year, we’re excited to introduce a brand-new holiday experience with the unveiling of our epic Santa Clemente Village,” Katy Ciotti, senior marketing manager at Outlets at San Clemente, said.
“San Clemente is known for being a family-friendly small town that exudes a seaside essence, which inspired this project,” said Ciotti.
The new village, which wraps around the 40-foot tree’s base, includes a post office where kids can mail their wish lists, a surf shop with a holiday twist and a colorful candy store.
