On the evening of Saturday, November 25, Terranea Resort hosted its annual Celebration of the Season:Tree Lighting ceremony, turning the occasion into a joyous celebration. Guests immersed themselves in the festive atmosphere, seizing opportunities for photos with Santa, engaging in a delightful Build-A-Bear station, reveling in a mesmerizing Nutcracker ballet performance, and enjoying a scenic train ride around a portion of the resort’s vast property. Adding an extra layer of holiday cheer, Terranea went above and beyond this year by debuting a captivating Gingerbread Lounge. A gathering of delighted attendees marveled at the impressive resilience of gingerbread bricks that supported the roof of a towering structure. The ingenuity was not only in crafting these oversized bricks from essentially cookie materials but also in embellishing the roof with vibrant red shingles made from house-made gingerbread. The ephemeral delight, known as the Gingerbread Lounge, was just one facet of the delectable revelry unfolding at Terranea’s annual Tree Lighting event. Traditionally, Pierino “Perry” Jermonti, the resort’s executive pastry chef, has showcased grand gingerbread creations. However, this year, the culinary team aimed for new heights to enhance the overall experience. The walk-up bar’s foundation itself was constructed from the spiced biscuit-like substance. This family-friendly haven featured a walk-up gingerbread bar, where patrons could indulge in an array of treats, from cocktails and mocktails to hot cocoa, candied apples, and festive cookies—essentially every sugar plum imaginable. The lounge was complemented by a charming gingerbread village adorned with gumdrops, peppermints, and frosting snow. In the spirit of generosity, Saturday’s festivities were open to the public, with complimentary admission granted in exchange for unwrapped donations to Toys for Tots. The holiday spirit lingered beyond the Gingerbread Lounge, turning the celebration into a heartwarming kickoff for the festive season.
Gingerbread Lounge open daily, Monday-Friday 4:00p.m.-10:00p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 2:00p.m.-10:00p.m. For more information, visit terranea.com/traditions.
