The holiday spirit came alive in San Carlos as the city celebrated its 13th annual Night of Holiday Lights on Dec. 1.
Organized by the San Carlos Parks and Recreation Department in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Foundation of San Carlos, the free event took place along Laurel Street, spanning from San Carlos Avenue to Cherry Street.
Festivities kicked off at 5 p.m. and concluded at 8:30 p.m., showcasing various activities along the block. The event ended with a countdown leading to the illumination of the entire street and the release of fake snow.
Lori Moitié, the Entertainment Director for Special Events, organized the musical performances that engaged the audience. Starting at 5 p.m., both young performers and adults took the stage on Cherry Street, showcasing their talents in singing, ballet, and tap dancing.
“We feel it’s so important that we bring in dancing, singing, and theater, so young people get exposed to something that they wouldn’t normally do at a public event,” Moitié said.
However, preparations for the event were not easy, with participants dedicating months to their performances.
“We have spent the entire fall focused on the songs that we sang on the stage and the Christmas carols,” said Emily Bender, the director of the Tide Notes, a youth a capella group.
Moitié started planning in January, ensuring the coordination of acts and confirming participants’ availability.
“There’s so much more involved than what meets the eye,” Moitié said.
Wendy Schettino, the Recreation Supervisor for Community Events, worked throughout the year to organize and prepare for the event: booking music, hiring bands, and securing rentals.
However, the extensive preparations paid off as the Night of Holiday Lights emerged as a successful community-building event, providing diverse activities for all age groups. In addition to the musical performances, attendees enjoyed arts and crafts, a fake snowball fight area, and a holiday-themed photo booth.
“Oftentimes, the holiday events don’t involve kids, and it’s like adult parties. And this is just super fun because people can bring their dogs, their kids, and their families,” said Ellora Mehta, a member of the Youth Advisory Council who volunteered at the event.
While some events organized by the Parks and Recreation Department, such as the Art and Wine Faire, are more geared towards adults, the Night of Holiday Lights remains a family-oriented staple.
“San Carlos is such a great community with so many families that really show up, and I just think that we still have a great kind of hometown feel,” Schettino said.
