Happy December! Thanksgiving has come to an end, and the last month of 2025 has finally arrived with all the festivities that come with it. From wrapping presents for our loved ones to putting up traditional decorations, December brings joy and delight to people across the world. But one of the most treasured and appreciated traditions of the holidays is putting up Christmas lights for families to admire and love. Some even say that Christmas lights are what remind them of what Christmas truly is, besides exchanging presents.
Christmas lights are a staple in communities all around the globe. Here in our hometown of Torrance, California, we have the neighborhood that we all know and love. Candy Cane Lane, also known as Sleepy Hollow, is a community known for putting up extravagant Christmas lights that light up every street of the neighborhood. The houses put up themed decorations for the Christmas holiday every year, from Los Angeles Dodgers-themed houses to Santa Claus-themed decor, my personal favorite being the Dodgers home. Candy Cane Lane has themed lights for everyone to enjoy, and students at Torrance High are here to confirm their appreciation for the Sleepy Hollow community.
To give insight into what Candy Cane Lane is viewed as through a Torrance High student, I interviewed Sophomore Marlie Larrieu, an annual Candy Cane Lane visitor, on her admiration for the lit-up neighborhood.
To start the interview with Larrieu, I asked her, “What’s your favorite thing about Candy Cane Lane?” Larrieu answered by explaining that “It brings families together to truly enjoy the art of the Christmas spirit.” Larrieu also added, “Whether you grab some hot cocoa or popcorn and take photos of the lights, it’s truly magical.” Larrieu’s response paints out the experiences that Torrance residents have within Candy Cane Lane and how magical the lights are to many. I then continued the interview with the question “Who do you go to Sleepy Hollow with?” as an attempt to see what crowd usually spends their time in the neighborhood. Larrieu explained that she typically goes to Candy Cane Lane with her grandparents and cousins, and she explained their tradition that they do every year at Sleepy Hollow for the Christmas season. “Every year, starting with just me, then slowly as my cousins were born, my grandparents began to take us to see the lit-up houses so they could see the smiles on our faces.” Larrieu’s annual experience tells us how Candy Cane Lane has paved its way into the traditions of the Torrance population, as its existence is known to plaster excitement over children’s faces. To finish off the interview, I asked Larrieu why she thought Candy Cane Lane was so popular amongst the Torrance community. She responded by explaining that the beautiful experience was not only in “Close proximity to Torrance,” but it’s also “Free to all families.” Larrieu brings attention to the idea that, no matter what financial struggles families may be experiencing during the holiday season, Candy Cane Lane brings the Christmas spirit and joy for free.
Candy Cane Lane is Torrance’s pride and joy during the holiday season. It’s beauty that it creates never goes unnoticed and is thoroughly appreciated every year. From us students at Torrance High, we thank the residents of Candy Cane Lane for all the joy that their lights bring to us every December. Happy Holidays!