christmastime in the city: downtown gets spruced up for the holidays
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Across this great nation, small towns are setting up cheerful holiday displays of red and gold; felling and setting up large Christmas trees; and hanging bows, icicles and lights throughout central business districts.
Even here in the middle of Los Angeles, longtime Downtowners know that our little burg is more a small town than anything. A short walk down Main Street, for example, becomes an hour-long affair — after all, there are people to see and critically important information to exchange!
But it’s the yearly tradition of setting the holiday mood that really helps define a close-knit community. (Photo tour of last year’s holiday lighting in Downtown)
Angelenic is putting together a nighttime holiday meet-up and walking tour that’s open to all our readers, their friends and loved ones this December 4th at 7:30pm. Stay tuned for more details or check it out on facebook!
The most impactful display so far goes to the Old Bank District, with velvet bows and sheets of icicle lighting softening an admittedly gritty, sometimes grimey quarter.
Tom Gilmore’s Continental, Hellman and San Fernando buildings all received the formal holiday treatment, which would have been unimaginable just several years ago.
And more corporate and municipal displays are beginning to show up at such venues as the Jonathan Club, 7th + Fig, Olvera Street and others.
LA Live is planning a month-long holiday extravaganza, and even Pershing Square gets in on the festivities with its successful annual ice rink now up and running for the holidays.
Though this year’s holiday enthusiasm will be tempered because of the state of the global economy, it’s a time to reflect upon what’s really important in our lives. Christmastime displays, while sometimes a little over-the-top, help set the mood for the neighborhood and put everybody in the right state of mind.
What’s your favorite holiday installation in Downtown? Let us know!
3 comments
It really sets the mood. Yesterday morning i saw the decorations on Main street in old bank, made me want to see it at night.
Yeah times are difficult/tough but one has to be grateful for what we “have” and not what we “don’t”. Great pictures once again.
The meaning of Christmas changes over the course of a lifetime. So I won’t be waking-up with “the eyes of a child on Christmas morn”. Nonetheless, some things… like the decorations, Christmas music and the renewal of the “Peace On Earth” message will always bring me joy.
Christmas music has special meaning for me (as a kid I sang in an ‘Orphan Choir’) so enjoy the gift of Christmas Music TV - http://www.ChristmasMusicTV.com
Happy Holidays!
Why wouldn’t the rest of the Historic Core owners follow suit? Tom Gilmore has done an excellent job creating a community at Gilville. The buildings are tastefully done, there are businesses catering to the community, and now this.
The Barry Shy buildings are drab and very plain. The Shomof buildings are tastefully done but are missing that little extra ooommpppphhhh. Spring street is quickly becoming an eclectic center and doing little things like this will take it to the top.
You would think with all the vacancies doing something so minute could easily fill this neighborhood.