Bring the entire family to the “Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony” and “North Pole Village” presented by Agua Caliente Casinos in Downtown Cathedral City on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 5 pm to 7 pm to celebrate the “most wonderful time of the year!”  The annual event includes a lit Hollywood-style movie set themed as Main Street at Santa’s North Pole.  Snow-Fest captures all the holiday spirit and places it at one event with holiday music, Santa Claus, holiday tree lighting ceremony, candy canes, bike giveaways for kids, and a free movie at the Mary Pickford Theatre.  Free admission and free parking.

North Pole Village

Thanks to the Cathedral City Public Arts Commission and the amazing work by the theatrical stage artists from the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre and local artists, the “North Pole Village” comes to life in front of City Hall.  This Hollywood-style movie set depicts “main street” at Santa’s North Pole – all lit with holiday lights.  It is the ultimate backdrop for family holiday pictures and selfies.  The “North Pole Village” features 18 storefronts painted as if they came right out of a children’s book.  Best of all, the “North Pole Village” will remain as a static display with holiday music playing in the evenings all the way through the beginning of the New Year and ending on January 9, 2022.

Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Shortly after Santa’s arrival at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, Mayor Raymond Gregory will preside over the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony.  The entire crowd will count down from 10 for the splendor of the season as the 30’ holiday tree in front of city hall will shine as a beacon of hope.  The holiday tree will remain up and lit through the beginning of the New Year.  Shortly after the Tree Lighting, the award-winning Cathedral City High School Choir will perform a limited holiday concert for your enjoyment and Cathedral City’s own Avenida Band will play for the remainder of the event.

The Mary Pickford Theatre is also joining in on the spirit of the season.  You can go to the Mary Pickford Box Office and receive a free pass for the classic holiday movie, “A Christmas Story”  (1983) that will play at 7:00 pm inside the Mary Pickford Theatre adjacent to the North Pole Village event.  Tickets are limited to a total of 209 seats.  Passes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Mary Pickford Box Office.