Vintage holiday festivity

This Prohibition-style party won’t require a secret password for entry.

The Crystal Cove Alliance’s 13th annual Holiday Tree Lighting will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The old-fashioned tree-lighting event will include Santa Claus, snowmen made out of sand, carolers, cider and lots of period charm. Organizers say the Coastal Tree is the only holiday tree display on the beach along the California coast.

Joining Santa will be Los Angeles chanteuse Brenna Whitaker, who wowed attendees of the Alliance’s annual gala. She will perform her favorite holiday tunes in vintage style.

The historic Crystal Cove cottages will be dressed for the holidays with vintage decorations, giant candy canes, historic automobiles and Sandy, a snowman made out of sand. The entire event will evoke the Historic District’s heyday from 1935 to 1955.

The event begins at 3 p.m., when guests are encouraged to select a place on the sand to await Santa’s arrival. He will arrive at 4 p.m. to meet with children.

The tree lighting will be at sunset, or about 5 p.m., after Whitaker performs.

The nonprofit Alliance is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District.

It was formed 10 years ago to stop the construction of a luxury resort in Crystal Cove, and went on to become the state park’s official nonprofit partner.

The organization also secured a 20-year concession contract for the restaurants and nightly cottage rentals on-site, which often book up several months in advance.

For more information, visit crystalcovealliance.org.

If You Go

What: Crystal Cove Alliance’s 13th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

When: 3 p.m. Saturday; tree lighting at sunset

Where: Near the Beachcomber Café, Crystal Cove

Cost: Free

Information: crystalcovealliance.org