Holiday Spirit Lights Up Downtown Burlingame

Cheerful Celebrations--Tree Lights, Décor, and Merchants’ Display Windows!

“Beautiful places in public spaces”, commented Mayor Michael Brownrigg when he saw the results of a 3-year holiday street decorations design, an almost year-long planning effort by the Holiday Season Street Decor Committee.  Committee members included representatives from the Downtown Burlingame Business Improvement District (DBID), the City of Burlingame, the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce, Beautification Committee, Parks and Recreation, Broadway BID, and Burlingame residents. DBID was charged with obtaining bids for tree and trellis lighting, putting up festive banners and Burlingame Avenue décor.

Burlingame Avenue Holiday Season 2023

The holiday décor plans included stringing trees with lights along Burlingame Avenue and the side streets including Primrose, Park, Lorton, and Howard.  Since there was a shortfall in monies needed for this project, DBID and the Committee came up with ideas to raise needed funds.  The Wine Walk in August was one such event.

Three people who contributed countless volunteer hours to assure the success of the Burlingame Avenue business district holiday décor are Jenny Keleher, past President of the DBID, Hadia Khoury, City of Burlingame Beautification Commissioner, and Laurie Hilt, DBID’s Executive Director.

Jenny was instrumental in collaborating with Public Works to solve logistics challenges such as faulty or non-existent electrical outlets.  Several issues have yet to be addressed to have consistent lighting on Burlingame Avenue and the side streets.  In lieu of the tree lights throughout Downtown Burlingame to bring holiday decor to side streets with funds raised at the Wine Walk, Krista McCutcheon of the Beautification Commission suggested offering holiday window painting. Some sponsors of the Wine Walk agreed to cheerful window paintings of Santas, wreaths and holiday greetings. 

Hadia’s many creative talents are reflected in the festive poinsettias in potted plants and at the entrances to Burlingame Avenue. And, Laurie Hilt coordinated a very jolly Winterfest evening on December 1st with the annual tree lighting and entertainment with the Burlingame Parks and Recreation and the Chamber of Commerce.

On December 20, five judges will walk to retailer contestants participating in the 2nd Annual Merchants’ Holiday Display Window Contest.  This is another way in which the business community celebrates the holiday spirit and make Burlingame THE holiday destination!

Do you have a story?  Send it to us at: burlingamebid@gmail.com.  The Burlingame Downtown Business Improvement District (DBID) represents over 500 Downtown Burlingame businesses. The Burlingame DBID is a coalition of businesses working together to promote business and civic activity in downtown Burlingame. Merchants include a cross-section of retail, restaurant, professional, and service businesses. For more information, check out https://www.burlingamedowntown.org or email Laurie Hilt, Executive Director, at: burlingamebid@gmail.com.