For the first time in over 30 years Madera County will rekindle a Christmas tradition that dates to the early 1920s with a record-setting tree lighting ceremony.

The 105-foot pine marks the tallest tree-lighting ceremony in the Central Valley. It towers over the heart of downtown with thousands of lights and dozens of ornaments draped around the tree all donated by our community partners and county departments.

The ceremony is on December 5 at 6 PM on Yosemite Avenue right across the street from the award-winning Madera County Museum. There will be live music, and Santa Claus will make a special appearance to flip the switch for this historic moment.

Make sure you bundle up as the forecast also calls for snow. This event would not be possible without our community partners Caglia Environmental, Madera Evening Lions, The Maldonado Brothers, Elevate Madera and Fitzgerald Cuimmo and Associates.

Following the tree lighting ceremony, downtown Madera will illuminate with its annual Christmas Light Parade that dates back to 1960. The parade route stretches from Yosemite Avenue to G Street, ending at Courthouse Park. The Park will have plenty of festivities and vendors for the entire family including all the kodak moments with Santa. Come witness history and Christmas magic in Madera County.