By Chris Gomez  | Little Italy News

As the holiday season approaches, the city sidewalks of Little Italy will be lighting up with holiday cheer for the 18th annual Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village on Saturday, Dec. 3, presented by the Little Italy Association, H.G. Fenton Company and Sysco.

This year’s event will be extra special, because for the first time, Little Italy will be closing down India Street for two holiday tree lighting ceremonies. The neighborhood will have its traditional 25-foot tower of over 1,100 gorgeous poinsettias in the middle of Piazza Basilone and will welcome a new permanent tree to the neighborhood — a brand new 25-foot Cedrus Deodara tree — in front of what will become the new heart of Little Italy in the summer of 2017, Piazza della Famiglia.

All San Diegans are invited to come to the neighborhood on Dec. 3, to launch the holiday season. In addition to the tree lightings, attendees can expect to experience the Christmas Village with over 50 seasonal vendors, festive décor, live music and entertainment on two stages, holiday treats, Santa, carriage rides and more family-fun activities!

Santa Claus himself will kick off the event starting at 4 p.m., meeting and greeting everyone in attendance. Santa will be taking photos with all the neighborhood kids — and kids at heart — until 6:30 p.m. at “Santa’s Living Room,” located on the corner of India and West Fir streets. Next to Santa’s Living Room, kids can explore fun arts and crafts, along with Washington Elementary STEAM Magnet School and ArtReach.

Select Little Italy Mercato vendors and other seasonal vendors will also be selling perfect stocking stuffers and holiday goodies on India Street between West Cedar and West Grape streets. Attendees will have the opportunity to holiday shop and find local gifts for their loved ones.

Live holiday music and entertainment will also be going on throughout the event. The tree lighting ceremonies will start at 5:30 p.m. on West Fir and India streets.

Little Italy’s holiday tradition is the perfect way to bring the Christmas magic to San Diego and there’s word on the street that there may even be some snow in the forecast at this holiday event!

So, grab some hot cocoa, your friends and family and come out to celebrate together! For more information about Little Italy’s Tree Lighting and Christmas Village, visit littleitalysd.com or follow the neighborhood on Instagram and Twitter at @LittleItalySD and at Facebook.com/LittleItalySD.

—Christopher Gomez has been Little Italy’s district manager since 2000. Reach him at [email protected].