Amazon Stars join Culver City in Tree Lighting Ceremony
The 2025 Downtown Culver City Tree Lighting Sled-tacular on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
Bright lights and powdered snow will soon fill the streets of Downtown Culver City.
The Culver City Downtown Business Association’s (CCDBA) annual Downtown Culver City Tree Lighting Sled-tacular takes place on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sledding and most other activities will be available at the Culver Steps and Main Street throughout the night, but the Tree Lighting ceremony is scheduled for 6 to 6:30 p.m. at the Steps.
New but recognizable faces will lead the Tree Lighting ceremony, with actor Charlie Cox and actress Zooey Deschanel featured as participants in the final countdown to the tree lighting. The two stars play leading roles in “Merv,” a holiday film by Amazon/MGM Studios, and will be inviting members of the community to a free screening at the Culver Theater at 8 p.m.
Amazon/MGM Studios serves as a presenting sponsor of the Tree Lighting Sled-tacular as they did in 2024. Their continued support of the Sled-tacular reflects Amazon’s interest in being an active member of Culver City’s community in the eyes of CCDBA Executive Director Darrel Menthe.
“I take this as a desire by Amazon to really be, as much as they can, a part of movie history,” Menthe said. “They want to be a part of the century-plus tradition of movie-making here.”
The event will look similar to last year’s edition, with the opportunity to partake in 50 tons of artificial snow spread across Main Street as one of the main attractions.
Christian May-Suzuki
Two separate areas will be delineated in the snow: one with a makeshift hill for holiday sledding, and another flatter area for families to casually play and craft with snow. Those interested in the former are required to sign a Sledding Waiver form to participate, which can be accessed and filled out before Thursday.
On top of the traditional December holidays, there is an additional occasion for the city to celebrate. Culver City’s Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (AVPA) — a program at Culver City High School that gives artistically-inclined students opportunities to perform and hone their talents — is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The Tree Lighting ceremony has featured music from Culver City students for decades, and this year is no different. More than 250 students attending Culver City schools will put on a series of performances before the Tree Lighting as part of the ceremony.
“We have enjoyed making this a celebration of the music program at Culver City schools,” Menthe said. “The AVPA is one of the jewels of the Culver City Unified School District.”
At 25 feet tall, Culver City’s Christmas tree stands in front of the Culver Hotel, held up by a custom-made stand featuring logos of the city and CCDBA. At the forefront of the lighting ceremony alongside Cox and Deschanel is Dan O’Brien, who will make one of his final public appearances as Mayor of Culver City on Thursday before his successor is selected at the December 8 City Council meeting.
Several hallmark features of the holiday celebration are returning in 2025, thanks to the efforts of people and organizations throughout the Culver City community. Volunteers from the Culver Hotel and the Culver Theater will help prepare popcorn and hot chocolate to serve to event patrons following the Tree Lighting, and the Kiwanis Club of Culver City will run carnival games as they did in 2024.
“There's no way we could do this event the way we do it without all that participation,” Menthe said of the volunteers, “so we thank them for that.”
Santa’s annual patrol through Culver City neighborhoods will also begin Thursday, with his first stop being in front of the Culver Mansion for photos.
Other sponsors and partners supporting the 2025 Downtown Culver City Tree Lighting Sled-tacular include the City of Culver City, Hackman Capital Partners, Westside Production Rentals, Del Rey Party Rentals, and local youth and adult service organizations.
For those unable to attend on Thursday, a live stream of the Tree Lighting ceremony will be available here.
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