Story & Photos by Barbara Beckley
On Sunday, December 4, 2022, Coachella Valley hometown hero, UFC Hall-of-Famer Cub Swanson, flipped the switch! And, wow! The towering Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Holiday Tree came to life, illuminating the night sky with glorious color and cheer.
A beloved tradition since 1976, the Tramway’s Tree Lighting Ceremony marks the (unofficial) start of holiday festivities throughout the desert. When celebs, dignitaries, locals and visitors gather at the Tram Mountain Station 2.5 miles high above Palm Springs for the first look at the 45-foot holiday tree, ablaze with 4,000+ LED lights. A glorious symbol of the holidays – shining from on high for all to see throughout the valley. PS Wish You Were Here Travel was there!
The Palm Springs High School Madrigals and String Quartet opened the ceremony with holiday favorites. Then Swanson, a Coachella Valley native and legendary American mixed martial artist, took the podium accompanied by his wife and children to light the Tree. Swanson joins the A-list of celebrity tree-lighters including Carol Channing (2007), Trini Lopez (2010) and author Joseph Wambaugh (1993) dating back to 1976, when silent film era child actor Jackie Coogan lit the inaugural Holiday Tree.
Afterward, catered wine and hors d’oeuvres were served in the Francis Crocker Room (available for private events of up to 136 people.). The comradery continued with close-up views of the towering Holiday Tree and fine wine from the Napa Valley at the Tram’s sophisticated Lookout Lounge cocktail bar with guests including Randy Garner, Visit Palm Springs Senior Marketing Manager, and Greg Purdy, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway VP of Marketing & Public Affairs.
Now through the first week of January 2023, the Tramway Holiday Tree is visible throughout Greater Palm Springs, perched at more than 8,516 feet above the valley floor. A stunning addition to the Tram’s must-visit attractions including two restaurants: award-winning Peak’s fine dining restaurant and cafeteria-style Pines Café; the Lookout Lounge, observation decks, spectacular valley views, gift shops, a natural history museum, two documentary theatres and more than 50 miles of mountain trails.
Tickets: $29.95, adults; $17.95, ages 3 – 10; and under 3, free. First Tram up: 8 a.m., weekends; 10 a.m., weekdays. Last Tram down: 9:30 p.m. seven days a week. Visit https://pstramway.com/.
