Began in 1885 when John P. Woodbury planted Himalayan deodar cedars for a mansion that was never built. As the area grew, the trees remained, forming a striking avenue. Then, in 1920, merchant Frederick C. Nash decorated a quarter-mile section with lights, sparking a mile-long holiday display. By 1990, the Lane became a California Historical Landmark and joined the National Register of Historic Places, highlighting its role in community celebrations with cars and electric lights. When Pasadena stopped supporting the lights in 1956, volunteers formed the Christmas Tree Lane Association to continue the tradition. Later, in 1964, Southern California Edison installed a permanent power grid. Today, the Lane draws thousands of visitors and remains one of the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas displays in the U.S., celebrating community and holiday spirit.
Here’s how things stand: the 135 historic cedar trees along Santa Rosa Avenue — which make up Christmas Tree Lane — “escaped damage” during the recent fires, despite winds and embers. The volunteer group behind the Lane, Christmas Tree Lane Association (CTLA), has already begun rehanging thousands of lights and plans a lighting ceremony on December 6, 2025
