The city kept the holiday magic going with the Holiday Musical Walk Around the Lake

ATASCADERO — Light Up the Downtown officially kicked off Atascadero’s dive into holiday fun on Friday, Dec. 6, starting at 5:30 p.m. with musical performances from The Atascadero Community Band and the Fine Arts Academy Honor Choir. As the time ticked closer to 6 p.m., more and more people started to fill the streets in front of City Hall and Sunken Gardens in their winter wear.

“Welcome everyone to our Light Up the Downtown. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, all the things. So glad you’re here,” said Mayor Heather Moreno. “We have many holiday events going on throughout Atascadero. This happens to be my particular favorite, and I really want to thank all of our staff and folks who have made that possible.”

Before the lights were even switched on, people were already lining up for the free hayrides from Harris Stage Lines, and LIGHTHOUSE Atascadero was there with free hot chocolate while people were waiting for the main event.

“I want to say we’re also very grateful for all of our sponsors. The way we all get to be here and do this fun stuff tonight is because we have organizations that support us and help make this happen,” added Moreno.

Unlike the last couple of years, Light Up the Downtown promised more lights throughout the center of downtown. Instead of just lighting one singular Christmas tree and City Hall, Moreno told the crowd that the whole of Sunken Gardens, Centennial Bridge, and the plaza would also be lit up this year. 

“We wish you all a wonderful holiday season. Who here is ready to help me count down for the lights? Let’s bring the kiddos up, and we’re all gonna do a big countdown together,” Moreno said as children from the crowd made their way to the front steps of City Hall.

Together, the crowd counted down from 10, and there were exclamations at the beauty that surrounded the citizens who came out to experience the event. The Atascadero Firefighters Association brought Santa in on their Model A fire truck, and then he and his elves met with the youngsters in the crowd.

Director of Community Services and Promotions Terrie Banish said that the upgrade happened because the City Council listened to the people who were asking to return to light up all of Sunken Gardens as they did seven years ago. Banish then set out to learn how Paso Robles was able to light up their City Park and figured out how to make the same thing happen for Atascadero without taking up city staff’s time and effort.

“We went out to bid, our request for proposal, and we had about four or five different lighting contractors that put in their proposals,” Banish said. “We wanted something that would be traditional and complement City Hall and the work that we’ve already done to decorate City Hall. Gold and silver, white lights, you know, just very traditional holiday feel.”

The city went with the Christmas Light Guy Company out of Long Beach.

“What made this happen was our sponsors, because otherwise we wouldn’t be able to do this,” Banish stressed. “This isn’t from our city. It’s not public funds that did this, it’s sponsors that did this. So that’s what made it realistic and happen.”

The lighting sponsors were: Exclusive Sponsor: Central Coast Community Energy (3CE); Platinum Sponsor: Z Villages, Presenting Sponsors: Atascadero Tourism Business Improvement District (ATBID), City of Atascadero & Souza Construction; Gold Sponsors: Avila Traffic Safety & Wysong Construction; Honorable Mention: Adventist Health Central Coast.

The next evening, Saturday, Dec. 7, brought us the Holiday Musical Walk Around the Lake at Atascadero Lake Park. Houses around the lake lit up their houses in fun displays of holiday magic, and many churches, choirs, and community organizations provided live music and delicious treats. Santa once again made an appearance at the Charles Paddock Zoo. 

Four-year-old Isaac Shipley from Atascadero said that his favorite part of walking around the lake was the free popcorn and randomly meeting up with his friend from school. His twin Anya said she was excited to meet Santa and tell him what she wanted for Christmas, which was a unicorn wand.

“I gave him knuckles and high-fives,” Anya said about meeting Santa.

“We got candy canes,” Isaac added.

You can enjoy the new holiday light display around Sunken Gardens, Garden Lights & Winter Nights until Jan. 19, 2025.

Featured Image: Santa and his elves made it to the Light Up the Downtown in Atascadero on Friday, Dec. 6. Photo by Rick Evans