Holiday celebrations at Kimberly Crest House & Gardens may have already begun, but one of its most treasured traditions takes place Sunday, Dec. 3 with the historic home’s annual tree lighting ceremony.
Choirs from Kimberly Elementary — named after the Kimberly family — and Redlands High schools will help set the mood with Christmas carols and Santa Claus will be on hand following the tree lighting for photos. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. and are open to the public at 1325 Prospect Drive.
The main room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The main room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The Kimberly room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The Kimberly room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The main room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Mr. Kimberly’s room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The main room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The main room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The dinning room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The dinning room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The dinning room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The dinning room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Butler’s pantry is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Butler’s pantry is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Butler’s pantry is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The dinning room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The dinning room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Pink parlor room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The Library room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The Library room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The Library room is transformed into a Victorian holiday wonderland at the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
Christmas decorations and a Victorian wonderland transform the Kimberly Crest House & Gardens in Redlands, Calif. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The Redlands mansion is gearing up for its annual holiday tours and Tree Lighting Ceremony. (Photo by Rachel Luna, Redlands Daily Facts)
The tree-lighting tradition at Kimberly Crest was started by Mary Kimberly Shirk, the youngest daughter of the Kimberly family several decades ago. According to the home, Shirk “had the magnolia tree on the law strung with lights and lit for Christmas.” Lights could be seen throughout the city and were “a symbol of the season to the entire community.”
Although Christmas was not Shirk’s favorite holiday — it was Halloween — Kimberly Crest began hosting an open tree-lighting ceremony years after her death “in that spirit,” said Tonja Blankenship, the home’s executive director.
The event is attended by hundreds, and in addition to planned performance and an appearance from Santa, Kimberly Crest will offer tours of the home’s first floor, which is decked out for the season thanks to the creative eye of local decorators who spent hours coming up with themes and selecting items to display. Tours are $5 per person Sunday.
Around 200 got a first glimpse last week during the home’s annual open house.
“One of the things we try to do is display different themes in each room that help create a difference experience year after year,” Blankenship said. “Some is traditional and some is more fun and whimsical.”
Decorations will be displayed through Jan. 14, Blankenship added, and may be viewed during regular house tour hours, 1 to 4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for students, seniors and veterans, and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are free. Tours will not run on Dec. 24 and 31.
The home has two additional holiday-themed events happening this month:
Little girls can enjoy tea with their mom and their favorite American Girl-themed doll during a Christmas Tea Party at noon on Dec. 6. Guests will have tea in the gardens and have their picture taken with Santa. There also will be tours of the home. Space is limited and reservations are required. Tickets are $55 per person. Information: www.kimberlycrest.org/christmasteaparty.
Kimberly Crest plans to display Shirk’s treasured Hord ornaments during its Victorian Christmas Cheer! celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10. The exhibition will be housed in the home’s Carriage House where guests can also create a Christmas card to take home. Complimentary Christmas cookies and hot chocolate will be served. The event is free.
To learn more about holiday celebrations at Kimberly Crest, go to www.kimberlycrest.org or call 909-792-2111.
