A hopeful light after the Eaton Fire
Christmas tree lights sparkled once again in Altadena for the annual lighting ceremony on Christmas Tree Lane. Less than a year after the fires, the community came together for a historic ceremony that showcased its strength and unity.
In a 105-year-old tradition, nearly a mile stretch of deodar cedar trees along Santa Rosa Avenue is adorned with Christmas lights. The lights are turned on simultaneously in front of thousands of spectators during the annual ceremony, and the community is united to kick-off the holiday season.
This year's festivities were unlike any the community has held in its history. Altendena celebrated its first Christmas tree lighting ceremony since the Eaton Fire on Jan. 7, 2025, which killed 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Dirt lots where homes and businesses once stood bordered Christmas Tree Lane.
Numerous residents along the lane adorned their homes with Christmas lights and reindeer lawn ornaments, welcoming neighbors in for holiday parties and festivities.
Some displayed lawn signs with messages of community, stating, “Altedena Strong,” while others displayed “Altedena not for sale,” reflecting a decision many in the community are facing.
“Altadena not for sale” is a rallying cry for those in the community and victims of the fire, encouraging community members not to sell their homes and for Los Angeles to block corporations from buying up properties, to keep the tight-knit community, culture and values of Altadena alive. According to the “Altadena not for sale” mission statement, their goal is “to help the under- and non-insured be able to stay where they are after the devastating Eaton Fire and not fall prey to predatory land speculators, and to keep the community whole through education, advocacy and empowerment.”
According to the Decennial Census, Around 75% of Altadena’s African American population own their homes, almost double the national average. Nearly 48% of these homes were burned in the fire, according to the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, increasing community fears over the impact on both the demographics and culture of the community.
The event is organized annually by the Christmas Tree Lane Association and its
president, Scott Wardlow. Wardlow praised the efforts of volunteers who made the event possible, who continue to come year after year. The lights are put up by community volunteers, some of whom lost their homes in the fire.
Edward James Olmos spoke to the crowd through tears, saying, “All of us in Los Angeles were hit so hard. And I got to tell you, this is the most important aspect of living, is sharing right now the feeling that you have and love and understanding.”
A planned moment of silence was held for the victims of the fire lasting a minute and 19 seconds. The crowd was asked to hold phone flash lights above their heads instead of candles.
The crowd itself began to glow like tightly strung Christmas trees from their phone lights clutched above their heads. Children gently clutched their eyes together, wincing their eyes tenderly began to water, reflecting on memories from earlier this year.
The sea of phone light stars swayed in a quiet lull in remembrance of those lost, before the silence was swiftly extinguished by the Pasadena Waldorf High School Choir singing 'We Shall Be Known' by Karisha Longaker.
Representative Judy Chu, (D-Calif.) from California's 28th congressional district took the stage and praised the ceremony for showcasing the community’s resilience, saying, “This year's lighting ceremony is more than a celebration. It's a moment of healing and triumph. I did not know at the beginning of this year whether we would have this ceremony.”
Chu discussed the devastation of the fire, going on to praise the community's giving spirit while grieving their own losses. Chu said, “Your work lights up the biggest holiday event in the country, but more importantly, it lights our way forward.”
The crowd counted down from 10 before flipping a switch that illuminated the lights strung on Christmas Tree Lane, adorning towering cedar trees, glowing gently over the tightly packed crowd. A projected message of “Altadena Strong” was projected against the back of the stage as Olmos bowed his head.
A memorial tree was also featured on the lane, adorned with white lights as well as 19 green ones, representing the victims of the Eaton Fire. Reflecting on the loss of the fires, Olmos said, “Remember, we memorialize the love and the understanding that we have for those of us that are not here.”
Adjacent to the stage, The Walt Disney Co. held an event where children could meet some of their favorite Disney characters. Disney also helped replace and add additional string lights that illuminate Christmas Tree Lane. According to the Walt Disney Company, Disney has committed $15 million to help the recovery of the Los Angeles wildfires and is putting $5 million toward the reconstruction of the Altadena Charles White Park. Over 60 Disney employees lost their homes in the Eaton fire.
Wardlow brought out the Skidmore family on stage, a family whose volunteer contributions on Christmas Tree Lane stood out. The family lost their home in the Eaton fire, but continued to work towards helping their community, involving everyone from grandmother to grandson.
People walked down Christmas Tree Lane once the ceremony ended, joining in on holiday festivities, including hot cocoa and a person in a Grinch costume selling balloons. Many walked the Lane admiring the lights and the festive house decorations out front.
People lined the block for a chance to peek at the popular Christmas Tree Lane Model Train House, which featured numerous replica model trains. Robert Caves, owner of the house, transformed his backyard into a complex series of mini rail lines where enthusiasts from around the community come to participate in their model train hobby.
The museum has become a community staple attraction known for its outgoing members and intricate model train displays featuring real life trains. Some of these include scenes of California and Disney's famous monorail.
Many praised the museum for keeping the trains chugging and showcasing a unique part of Altadena culture. As the one year anniversary of the Eaton fire approaches many questions remain on the future of Altandena, but the famous Christmas Tree Lane and community celebration is here to stay.