Downtown Auburn Hills Gets Ready for Tree Lighting

For 32 years, the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree has been one of Auburn Hills' most cherished holiday traditions. Families bundle up, neighbors reconnect, and the whole community gathers to watch as thousands of lights bring the season to life.

This year, there's something new! Santa's helpers at the Department of Public Works have been hard at work assembling the city's brand-new downtown Christmas tree. Standing 40 feet tall and stretching 22 feet wide at its base, the new Sequoia Tower Tree is massive. With 17 layers, 394 individual branches, and 39,250 pre-lit lights (plus an extra layer our crew added for good measure), this tree was built to shine.

Be among the first to see our new tree light up at the 32nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM in downtown Auburn Hills. Gather with friends and neighbors, enjoy the festivities, and watch as nearly 40,000 lights bring Christmas spirit to life.

For a sneak peek at the tree assembly, check out the time-lapse video.