12 Days of Holiday Cheer December 1, 2010

Downtown Burbank’s most joyful celebration kicks-off with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa’s Downtown Wonderland on December 1, and continues for 12 days with free family events, music and treats.



The Mayor’s Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of Burbank City Hall will start at 6:00 P.M. with City Council, Santa and Mrs. Claus, choirs and special guests. After Santa arrives and lights the tree, the crowd will parade to Santa’s Downtown Wonderland on San Fernando Boulevard between Orange Grove and Magnolia.

There will be free photos with Santa on the AMC Walkway, children’s characters, face painting, free gifts and the premier of Downtown Burbank’s exciting new holiday décor, which includes hundreds of “snowfall” lights and a 35-foot walk-through Christmas tree.

Then, for the next 12 days Downtown Burbank will be brimming with holiday joy. Here’s a highlight:

§ Saturday, December 4 – Join in Santa’s first stop of the year as Metrolink presents the Holiday Toy Express, a 450-ton train covered with giant glittering ornaments, animated displays and more than 50,000 twinkling lights. Arriving at the Downtown Burbank Station with lights aglow and filling the night with toe-tapping tunes, the Holiday Toy Express will offer a free musical show where kids get to meet Santa and his friends. Make sure to bring new, unwrapped toys and sporting equipment for the Spark of Love Toy Drive in cooperation with the Burbank Fire Department. All toys collected go to Burbank kids in need, 4:00 to 7:00 P.M.

§ Sunday, December 5 -- The Burbank Community YMCA presents the Reindeer Run on San Fernando Boulevard, a holiday race for kids 4-12 years old where everyone is a winner. Reindeer antlers, jingle bells and red noses are provided for all entrants, 8:00 to 10:00 A.M.

§ Monday, December 6 – Bring your furry friends for a unique holiday photo to Pet Night with Santa at Burbank Town Center from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M.

§ Tuesday December 7 -- It’s the Holly Trolley Tour of decorated Burbank homes as seen from an open-top, double-decker bus, with complimentary hot chocolate, goodies and caroling, 5:45 and 7:45 P.M. Tickets are $5.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Salvation Army (repeats December 9)

§ Friday, December 10 -- Barnes & Noble will host the Polar Express Pajama Party, where kids are invited to snuggle up in their pjs and listen to a reading of The Polar Express and other holiday stories, 7:00 P.M.

§ Saturday, December 11 -- Downtown Burbank presents Snow Day, the coolest party of the year! Kids are invited to romp in 15 tons of snow and enjoy refreshments, music, an ice sculptor and more, 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Also on December 11, the City of Burbank will present Breakfast with Santa at Burbank Town Center, 8:30 to 10:30 A.M.

Official Website: http://www.downtown-burbank.org