Celebrating the holiday season in the absence of snow really isn't celebrating at all. That's why the City of Mountain View makes sure that its residents get to enjoy some fresh powder at the Community Tree Lighting Celebration on Dec. 7. They truck in the white stuff for a Snow Zone, where kids and kids at heart can make snow angels and toss snowballs.

The Snow Zone is just part of the yuletide fun, though. You'll also enjoy live music and sweet treats at the Community Tree Lighting Celebration, not to mention arts and crafts for the kids and gourmet food trucks for the whole family. Get in line early to snap a photo with Santa, who rolls into town at 5:45 p.m. And make sure you're gathered around the tree when it comes time to sing carols and light it up for the holiday season. The event takes place at the Mountain View Civic Center, not far from Brookside Park.

Community Tree Lighting Celebration
Mountain View Civic Center
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7
500 Castro Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
www.mountainview.gov/depts/cs/events/treelighting.asp

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Didriks