23rd Annual Cannery Row Christmas Tree Lighting

A Central Coast holiday tradition returned to Monterey Friday evening. The Cannery Row Christmas tree was lit for the first time this season with hundreds of locals and tourists on hand to watch.

Cannery Row CEO and president Ted Balestreri says the tree lighting goes back more than two decades.

“Every year it gets bigger and better, this year especially has a lot of meeting because America needs to get together and put its differences aside,” Balestreri said, “If there’s any one holiday to do that it’s Christmas.”

The event drew big names like Leon Panetta, his son Congressman Jimmy Panetta and, of course, Santa Claus himself.

The Christmas tree lighting is particularly special for Central Coast locals, some coming for nearly as long as the event’s existence.

“Being a local Monterey boy, it’s very important to be part of the community and to see people who I haven’t seen in a long time,” said John Aliotti.

Also big fans of the event are Cannery Row business owners who tell me the Christmas tree lighting ceremony brings plenty of customers to their shops.

“All of these things draw a lot of people, locally and out of town,” said Rose Inductivo, owner of Pacific Coast Clothing.

And, at the end of the day, it’s people from near or far that those behind the event say this annual tradition is for.

“This is all a community thing, Christmas is for everybody now,” Balestreri said, “It’s a time to thank everyone, to celebrate and to feel good.”

The holiday festivities are set to stay through the end of the season. Santa is dividing his time between his North Pole workshop and his Cannery Row Workshop. You can visit him there weekends from noon to four through December 17th.