Grand Junction Tradition: Downtown Tree Lighting Through the Years

One of the best holiday traditions in the Grand Valley over the years is the lighting of the Christmas tree in downtown Grand Junction.

It's Really Not About the Tree

It's not the biggest tree in the world, and it doesn't always have the most dazzling lights you've ever seen, and even though it is a tree lighting event - it really isn't about the tree.

The annual tree lighting is all about the community coming together to celebrate the season. We lay aside our differences to stand side by side with friends, neighbors, and strangers. Christmas music fills the air, children are bubbling with excitement to see Santa, and all of downtown Grand Junction is magically and splendidly lit up with a fabulous display of lights.

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The Tree Lighting Is Back

It seems so long ago now, but, in 2020 there was no tree lighting ceremony downtown because of the COVID pandemic. Christmas came anyway.  The Grinch couldn't stop it from coming- and neither could a virus. But, we really missed this heart-warming Grand Junction tradition.

The tree lighting is back this year and will take place on Saturday, November 20 in the courtyard of Wells Fargo Bank at the corner of 4th and Main. There will be live entertainment from a fabulous vocal group from CMU called Mesa Out Loud beginning at 4:45. Santa is expected to arrive around 5:25 to magically light the tree and then will spend the next 90 minutes or so visiting with children. It's quite possible that the good little boys and girls will get a special candy treat.