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UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Tis the season at Universal CityWalk® as the iconic open-air destination celebrates the holidays in high-tech style.  "5 Towers," the state-of-the-art venue, radiates with concert performances, a dazzling new, multimedia light display and the illumination of a towering custom-built Christmas tree—the first-of-its-kind in North America—choreographed in unison to hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights glistening throughout the plaza. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121119/LA15586)

The holidays at Universal CityWalk begin on November 20 and continue through December 31, 2012.  The vibrant light show, which precedes the "5 Towers" concert performances, will take place Thursday through Sunday, every hour on the hour, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Created exclusively for Universal CityWalk, the innovative, technologically-advanced Christmas tree will feature 500 boughs, densely entwined with 100,000 variable color LED lights designed to cast a vibrant spectrum of magnificent colors throughout "5 Towers."

The CityWalk Christmas tree, powered by the cheers from an enthusiastic audience, will illuminate in harmony to seasonal music and the pulsing lights from the venue's five soaring 42 foot pillars. The effect will bask "5 Towers" in a brilliant glow of colors and lights, and act as a beacon to help guide Santa Claus from the North Pole to Southern California.

At the helm of this year's holiday festivities, Universal CityWalk will introduce a hip and happening Elf whose unconventional wit and endearing charm will add a unique sense of holiday humor to the always unexpected destination.

The spirit of the holidays will transcend throughout Universal CityWalk with garland, tinsel and mistletoe embellishments adorning the entire area. Visits from a Rock–n-Roll-themed Santa along with free concert performances and an eclectic array of talented street performers will make CityWalk a must-see, hipster holiday destination.

On weekends beginning Friday, November 23 and daily from December 10-23, CityWalk's Rock-n-Roll-themed Santa Claus will visit with guests at the venue's new Santa's Village, located at the center of CityWalk.  This snow covered landing, decked out with a customized "rock star" sleigh and filled to the brim with an assortment of musical instruments, will be elaborately decorated with moving lights.  Snow will cascade every half hour for the ultimate white Christmas and an authentic Gibson guitar will be on hand for guests who wish to create a memorable holiday photo. 

Live holiday entertainment will headline at "5 Towers" with a diverse line-up of music acts performing a selection of both contemporary and classic holiday hits.  Spreading good tidings and joy will be the merry sounds of British "X-Factor" alum, Cher Lloyd (November 23); Chris Mann of NBC's "The Voice" (November 24); pop crooner Conor Maynard (November 25); YouTube's rising star, Ryan Beatty (December 1); the all-female, Grammy Award-winning group, Mariachi Divas (December 2); rocker Juliet Simms of NBC's "The Voice" (December 8); Petree & Friends, featuring Paige Bryan and NBC' s "The Voice," Jamar Rogers (December 15); the family band, Cimorelli (December 16); and the Latin American sounds of Sajama performing on Christmas Day (December 25).  All performances begin at 6:00 p.m.

The magic of the holidays will continue at Universal Studios Hollywood^SM as the Entertainment Capital of L.A.^SM celebrates "Grinchmas"^TM with The Grinch, his faithful dog Max, tons of fresh snow, and nightly celebrity readings as part of the lively "Whobilation" tree lighting celebrations. "Grinchmas" begins on the weekend of December 8 and 9, continues daily from December 15 to 31, 2012, and is included in the price of theme park admission.  More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

A complete schedule of the Holidays at "5 Towers" on CityWalk can be found at www.CityWalkHollywood.com.  Regular updates can also be found on CityWalk's Twitter @CityWalkLA, Facebook- Universal CityWalk Hollywood and on CityWalk's newly launched Instagram @CityWalkLA.

Universal CityWalk is Southern California's dynamic entertainment, dining and shopping destination that reflects the area's rich cultural diversity. The iconic open-air leisure and nightlife complex provides "Always Unexpected" entertainment options and has served as a prototype for similar destinations.  Universal CityWalk includes the new high-tech concert venue, "5 Towers," provides L.A.'s best movie-going experience at the Universal Cinemas and offers such unique venues as the "Jon Lovitz Comedy Club," the "Infusion Lounge," iFly indoor skydiving and mechanical bull-riding at "Saddle Ranch Chop House."

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas, the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena.  World-class rides and attractions include the intense, award-winning ride, "King Kong 360 3-D" on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, "The Simpsons Ride^TM," "Revenge of the Mummy^SM —The Ride" indoor roller coaster and "Jurassic Park® —The Ride," as well as the critically acclaimed mega-attraction, "Transformers™:  The Ride—3D."

SOURCE Universal Studios Hollywood