Jack London Square virtual tree-lighting event is Friday

Oakland, CA – December 7, 2020: Jack London square is hosting five, family-friendly evenings of online holiday festivities beginning tonight, Monday, and ending with the traditional tree-lighting ceremony Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. The virtual events can be viewed here: www.jacklondonsquare.com or on Jack London Square’s Facebook  or Instagram pages. Jack London Square is part of the Port of Oakland’s portfolio.

“Even though we can’t be together in person, we’re thankful that our Jack London Square management created the online events so our community can come together virtually to celebrate the season,” said Port of Oakland Commercial Real Estate Director Pamela Kershaw. “We hope that visitors will come to the waterfront when they have a chance, of course wearing a mask and social distancing, to see our beautiful holiday tree and enjoy all the festive decorations at the waterfront.”

Jack London Square management said that last year’s in-person tree-lighting event drew about 10,000 visitors. This year’s online celebration makes the event more accessible to the public.

“Always Together: Lights up for the holidays – 5 Days of Celebration!” starts tonight at 7 p.m. and is every evening through Friday, December 11. Each night of celebration will feature a variety of festive holiday entertainment including but not limited to:

• Virtual Vendor Village featuring local artisans and small businesses
• Donation drives for community non-profits One Warm Coat and Alameda County Community Food Bank, more information found here: https://jacklondonsquare.com/event/Season-of-Giving/2145546856/
• Partnership with USPS Operation Santa (Letters to Santa and the ability for community members to “adopt” a child and fulfill their gift list) https://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/

Friday night will conclude the festivities with the countdown to the lighting of the spectacular 55-foot white fir tree in Jack London Square. It is adorned with hundreds of ornaments and thousands of lights. The huge tree made a 5-hour trip from Mt. Burney to arrive at the Oakland waterfront. The beautiful tree has been part of the annual holiday landscape for more than 50 years at the Square. It will remain in place until early-January and offers a great setting for family photos.

During Friday’s Virtual Tree Lighting, Jack London Square is asking that online participants take part from home by turning on one’s own tree lights, a flashlight, or a cell phone light as a symbol of hope and a reminder that we are all in this together. Pictures should be hash tagged #JLSAlwaysTogether.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Port officials will be part of the virtual tree-lighting event.

Current event page found here: https://jacklondonsquare.com/event/Always-Together-Lights-Up-for-the-Holidays-5-Days-of-Celebration/2145546907/