Tinsel towns

As Thanksgiving draws near, NewportMesa’s major shopping centers were ready for Christmas on Friday as Santa made his grand entrance at South Coast Plaza, and a 115-foot white fir was lighted at Fashion Island.

For anyone who couldn’t make it to the tree-lighting ceremony at Fashion Island on Friday night, the shopping center is hosting an encore presentation tonight beginning at 6 p.m.

Friday night was historic for Fashion Island, marking the 40th time a tree has been decked out at the mall. Its contemporary red and gold motif dates back only 11 years.

The white fir was brought to Newport Beach from Mt. Shasta earlier this month.

Santa made his way from the North Pole to Costa Mesa on Friday to kick off South Coast Plaza’s holiday season. Song and dance performances by the Orange County High School of the Arts kicked off the parade to Santa’s Village. Children will now be able to sit on Santa’s lap daily through Dec. 24 for pictures in the Carousel Court and in the Macy’s Home Store Wing. For an added wish, kids can go to Fashion Island to visit with Santa through Dec. 24 on the Atrium Lawn.

South Coast Plaza’s tree-lighting ceremony will light up Town Center Park, next to the Westin South Coast Plaza, at 6 p.m. Nov. 27.