Palisades: The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

Thousands of neighbors turned out for the Christmas tree lighting on December 6.

Saturday, December 6 may very well go down as the most wonderful day of the year in Pacific Palisades – and without question, the best day of 2025.

Not because of the lights, music, or celebrations themselves, but because, for the first time since the wildfire reshaped our landscape and our lives last January, the entire community seemed to breathe again.

The day unfolded from warm afternoon sunlight to a glowing twilight, into a joyful, music-filled night, each moment drawing neighbors closer and reminding us of who we are.

The morning and afternoon began in Marquez Knolls, where the Property Owners Association hosted its long-awaited block party along Duende Lane and the surrounding streets. It was the first true neighborhood gathering since the wildfire. Long rows of tables stretched across the pavement, lined with neighbors catching up and rediscovering one another. Food trucks added to the festive atmosphere with a mix of savory dishes and sweet treats. Children raced past, dogs wandered between groups, and conversations unfolded about the progress of rebuilding, insurance frustrations, and the emotional toll of temporary housing. What emerged was more powerful than any planned program: a renewed commitment to each other, and a sense that the neighborhood’s strength was returning, one conversation at a time.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, residents made their way toward Palisades Village for the annual Christmas tree lighting. This year’s turnout – thousands strong was the largest since the fire. At the center of the Village stood a 50-foot white fir, adorned with 3000 lights and more than 1500 ornaments. Holiday crafts kept children busy, choirs filled the air with music, and Santa delighted young ones as he moved through the crowd. Two children were invited to step forward and flip the oversized candy cane lever, sending a ripple of anticipation through the packed Village.

When the tree burst into light – radiant against the evening sky – the cheers were exuberant, but the emotion beneath them ran even deeper. For many fire survivors, attending their first major community event since losing their homes, standing beneath that brilliantly glowing fir felt like reclaiming a part of themselves. The moment captured what so many had been yearning for: hope, warmth, and the reminder that the community’s spirit had endured.

As night settled in, the celebration continued at the Ronald Reagan Palisades American Legion Post 283 for the Palisades Bocce League Holiday Party. The Post was beautifully decorated with wreaths, garlands, and twinkling holiday lights, giving the hall a warm and inviting glow. A live band led by Jimmy Dunne energized the room with holiday classics and spirited sing-alongs, while gospel singers filled the hall with soulful harmonies that drew applause after nearly every number.

The Bocce League presented its annual awards, honoring sportsmanship, teamwork, volunteerism, and resilience – qualities that held special significance in a year marked by upheaval. Guests celebrated not only the achievements of the season, but the shared resolve that had carried so many through an extraordinarily difficult year. The festivities included singing contests, lively dance competitions, and a spirited musical chairs showdown that filled the room with laughter and friendly competition. It was joyful, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of gathering people had longed for.

Driving home, the full arc of the day lingered vividly: neighbors reconnecting on sunlit Marquez streets, a brilliant fir tree illuminating the Village at dusk, and holiday music drifting from Post 283 into the cool evening air.

December 6 didn’t erase the challenges still ahead. Many families remain in temporary housing, rebuilt timelines stretch long, and unresolved insurance claims continue to weigh heavily. But for one extraordinary day, none of that defined us.

We were defined by community. We talked, hugged, sang, and laughed. We rediscovered the comfort of being together. And, we were reminded that resilience isn’t measured by structures rising from the ground – it’s measured by people rising for each other.

On December 6, the best day of 2025, the Palisades found its light again.

By Richard Lombari

Richard Lombari is a Pacific Palisades resident, Real Estate Wealth Advisor with Sotheby’s International Realty, 2nd Vice Commander of American Legion Post 283, Vice Chair of the Pacific Palisades Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), and Board Member of the Santa Monica Family YMCA.