Watch CBS News

El Segundo Cancels Candy Cane Lane For First Time In 71 Years

EL SEGUNDO (CBSLA) – There will be no Candy Cane Lane this holiday season in El Segundo.

Candy Cane Lane El Segundo
A private home is transformed into a North Pole airfield Christmas lights display along Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, Calif., on Dec. 16, 2014. (Getty Images)

"We look forward to it every year," Denise Fucci, an El Segundo resident, said. "All the people there really get into it, and it's like almost like over the top."

The city of El Segundo announced Tuesday that it is canceling the popular event for the first time since 1949 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"For many years Candy Cane Lane has brought great joy to the community, but considering the unprecedented circumstances, canceling the high-profile event to limit exposure during a pandemic is the right thing to do and the city appreciates the decision and cooperation of the event organizers," the city said in a statement on its Facebook page.

While in previous years, the city provided permits that allowed for neighborhood streets to be closed off to vehicles, no permits will be issued this year, the city said.

"I'm sad, but I wasn't surprised," Lisa Blackford, an El Segundo resident, said. "I had heard that it was likely to happen."

Candy Cane Lane is held along Acacia Avenue, where houses in the neighborhood are transformed into an incredible holiday light display for several weeks in December, drawing thousands of visitors.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.