# Spirit of Christmas and Community Tree Lighting — Lakeside > Event for families in the San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad area (CA). Times are Pacific Time. - When: Sat, Dec 5 · 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM - Where: Maine Avenue, downtown Lakeside (tree lighting at the Olde Presbyterian Church, Lakeside Historical Society), Maine Avenue, Lakeside, CA 92040 - Ages: All ages - Price: Admission is free to everyone - Organizer: Lakeside Chamber of Commerce - Official page: https://lakesidechamber.org/ - Last checked: Tue, Oct 27 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 2, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-01), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/san-diego/activities/spirit-of-christmas-and-community-tree-lighting-lakeside--listing-7c3a83b2202df20438e01220 ## About Lakeside's 28th annual Spirit of Christmas closes Maine Avenue for an old-fashioned hometown holiday afternoon run by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce. From 3 PM the street fills with booths from local clubs, organizations and businesses, and the chamber asks every booth to offer an activity, craft or game for children, so the focus is on kids: craft booths, local youth performances, holiday treats and shopping, and a mailbox for letters to the North Pole. At 5 PM the community tree is lit at the Olde Presbyterian Church, home of the Lakeside Historical Society, and Santa arrives; afterward children can have photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event runs until 7:30 PM, so bring warm layers for after sunset and a little cash for food and vendor booths. Roads around Maine Avenue close from noon, so plan to park nearby and walk in. ## Similar picks in San Diego - [Tree Lighting & Merry Market — San Marcos](https://grassyknees.com/san-diego/activities/tree-lighting-and-merry-market-san-marcos--listing-5a99134b80954a0895f1ca80) — Sat, Dec 5 · 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM · San Marcos Community Center · Free · checked Oct 27. The City of San Marcos holds its holiday tree lighting as an afternoon-into-evening festival at the San Marcos Community Center on Civic Center Drive. 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