Christmas Kicks Off

The Rosewood Miramar was flooded with Yuletide illuminations, as well as dozens of miniature trees, when Managing Director Rick Fidel, accompanied by a very jolly Santa Claus, lit the tony hostelry’s Christmas tree in the grand lobby watched by dozens of parents and their children.

As guests quaffed hot chocolate, apple cider, and prosecco cocktails, accompanied by festively decorated cookies and macaroons, Los Angeles singer-songwriter Annie Bosko performed an entertaining selection of festive songs and carols.

The 17-foot noble fir, which had been flat bedded from Silverton, Oregon, was festooned with more than 500 decorations by Petals by David, a Big Orange decorator, and Perla Mercade with a team of 15 “elves” in 24 hours.

The festive fête also raised gifts for Toys for Tots Santa Barbara.

Just 24 hours earlier La Arcada, the charming thoroughfare off State Street, had its 27th annual Christmas Walk with carolers in Dickensian costume, a snow-making machine, and free popcorn.

And the week kicked off in festive style when the American Theatre Guild hosted a Magical Cirque Christmas at the packed Granada with host Lucy Darling introducing a cavalcade of creatively costumed circus figures, including jugglers, trapeze artists, and acrobats.

The two-hour show, part of a multicity tour, also featured colorful time-travel videos and impressively creative neon lighting.