Throughout history, various cultures and groups in the Northern Hemisphere have responded to the longer nights and shorter days of autumn and winter with bonfires, candles, lights, and celebrations. The Tri-Valley is no exception. “Old Kris Kringle made his entry into Livermore this year in a most triumphant manner when he was escorted up First street Monday night to the music of the Druids Band,” according to the Livermore Journal newspaper published on December 20, 1928.

The newspaper reported that the Livermore Lions Club was sponsoring that year’s major tribute to Christmas. “President McKown has been assisted in his efforts to give Livermore its first electrically lighted outdoor Christmas Tree by E. W. D’Ombrain, local agent of the Pacific Gas & Electric Co., who arranged for the lighting features. A large redwood tree near the corner of Fourth and K streets has been fitted up with sixty-seven 40-candle-power different colored globes. The tree is about 50 feet in height and in its illuminated condition makes a very beautiful scene at night.”

Differing Traditions, Shared Celebrations

According to British historian Lucy Worsley, “Today’s Christmas traditions may seem as old as the hills, but they are, in fact, cobbled together from numerous centuries and countries. Some rituals have survived for millennia, but others, such as the instructions for peacock served in its plumage, dating from 1430, have fallen from vogue. The wreath on your front door is a remnant of the ancient practice of bringing evergreen foliage into the home, symbolizing everlasting life and renewal at the darkest time of the year.”

In addition to Christmas celebrations, the Tri-Valley offers several opportunities to enjoy a variety of traditions, holidays, and themed performances during November and December. The Indian community, for example, is invited to celebrate Diwali at a formal party beginning at 6 pm on November 18 at the Pleasanton Community Center. The event, which runs until 11:30 pm, will include both activities for children and dancing for adults. According to National Geographic, “Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row of clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities.”

In 2023, Hanukkah, which also prominently features light as part of its tradition, will be celebrated from December 7 to December 15. Tri-Valley Cultural Jews describes itself as a “Secular Humanistic community serving those who identify with the Jewish People through family, culture and history, rather than through religion” that serves “the Greater East Bay with holiday celebrations, opportunities to express your progressive social values, and education for children, adults, and families.” This Pleasanton-based organization will be holding a Hanukkah party on Saturday, December 10.

Tree Lighting, Parades, and More

Several Tri-Valley cities will be hosting public tree lighting ceremonies as usual this year. Danville’s tree lighting event will take place at the Old Oak Tree on Diablo Road in downtown Danville on Friday, November 24, beginning at 5:15 pm. The event features holiday songs performed by the Danville Girls Chorus, the Monte Vista High Chamber Singers, and the San Ramon Valley High Chamber Singers.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Dublin’s tree-lighting ceremony. A 30-foot holiday tree at Dublin Civic Center will be illuminated on Thursday, November 30 at 6:00 pm. Local musicians and dancers will perform for the public. A visit from Santa is also on the agenda, according to public officials. Other Dublin holiday events include a Holiday Craft Boutique for gift shoppers at the Dublin Senior Center on Saturday, November 18 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; a Breakfast with Santa at the Shannon Community Center on Saturday, December 2; and the annual "Deck the Homes" Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Families can drop off letters to Santa at one of two mailboxes in Dublin between November 27 and December 8 to get a return letter from Santa by December 24.

Livermore’s Second annual Holiday Village at Carnegie Park will be unveiled on Friday, December 1 at 4:00 pm. The city’s annual Sights & Sounds holiday parade with floats, music, and more will start at 6:00 pm on Saturday, December 2. The parade will be followed with the official holiday tree lighting ceremony at First Street in downtown Livermore.

A holiday celebration is also being held in Pleasanton on Saturday, December 2. The Hometown Holiday Parade is scheduled for 5:00 pm and includes floats, marching bands, community groups, and more, according to city officials. The official Pleasanton Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place shortly after the parade and include musical entertainment as well as a special appearance by Santa.

For more than a decade, the Niles Canyon Railway Train of Lights has been an annual tradition for many. Participants enjoy a 1.5-hour-long round trip through Niles Canyon aboard antique coaches and open cars. The train is decorated with holiday lights and decorations inside and out and filled with refreshments, music, and cheer, according to officials of the nonprofit Pacific Locomotive Association, which operates the trains. Trips on the Train of Lights, which is the nonprofit’s largest annual fundraiser, sold out in October 2023 for the holiday season. Consider buying tickets in early autumn next year for rides during the 2024 holiday season.

Many Tri-Valley families enjoy cultural performances as a holiday tradition. Two of the most popular include the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Pacific Chamber Orchestra and the Valley Dance Theatre’s full-length performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Handel’s Messiah will be performed by the Pacific Chamber Orchestra at Livermore’s Bankhead Theater on Sunday, November 26 at 3:00 pm. Eight performances of The Nutcracker will be held by the Valley Dance Theatre at the Bankhead Theater between Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 17.

People who enjoy traditional celebrations have many events from which to choose. The activities listed above are just a sample of those available in the Tri-Valley. Individuals who prefer to skip holiday observances can find many other events and activities as well, courtesy of Visit Tri-Valley and its new event platform, The Vibe. Whatever the reason or season, residents and visitors will always find plenty to do in the Tri-Valley.

For more information about the Diwali celebration in Pleasanton, please visit www.trivalleydiwali.com/home.

For more information about Tri-Valley Cultural Jews and its Hanukkah Party, please visit www.trivalleyculturaljews.org.

For more information about Danville’s tree-lighting event, please visit www.business.danvilleareachamber.com/events/details/lighting-of-the-old-oak-tree-10411?calendarMonth=2023-11-01. 

For more information about Dublin’s holiday events, please visit www.dublin.ca.gov/289/Holiday-Events.

For more information about Livermore’s Holiday Village at Carnegie Park, please visit www.livermoredowntown.com/do/holiday-village-at-carnegie-park.

For more information about Livermore’s Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony, please visit www.livermoredowntown.com/do/holiday-sights-and-sounds-parade-and-tree-lighting.

For more information about Pleasanton’s Hometown Holiday Celebration, please visit www.cityofpleasantonca.gov/gov/depts/cs/arts/hometown_holiday.asp.

For tickets to the Pacific Chamber Orchestra’s performance of Handel’s Messiah, please visit www.pacificchamberorchestra.org/tickets.

For more information about the Valley Dance Theatre’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, please visit www.livermorearts.org/events/valley-dance-theater-the-nutcracker.

For more information about Visit Tri-Valley, please visit www.visittrivalley.com.

For details on additional Tri-Valley events, please visit The Vibe at www.events.vibetrivalley.com.