The City of Monterey’s annual tree lighting ceremony for 2023 was held on December 1st in Downtown Monterey. Each year, the Traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony is held at Colton Hall to light up the Colton Hall tree. It’s a cherished event that brings together people from across the Monterey community to share in a simple celebration. Cookies and refreshments are served, there’s some music, the mayor says a few words, and the lights go on.

The Traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony was a collaboration between the City of Monterey, First Night Monterey, and the Old Monterey Business Association (OMBA).

Photos by OldMonterey.org editor, Sheldon Chang.