Photo Flash: First Look at Brightman, Manilow & More in L.A. LIVE's HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

Los Angeles's biggest, brightest and free-to-the-public holiday destination is Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE. Last night, L.A. LIVE kicked off its holiday festivities with its 5TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING, which aired live on KNBC and AXS TV and featured performances from Barry Manilow, Cody Simpson, Sarah Brightman, Ozomatli, Eric Benet, Boney James, The Canadian Tenors, USC Orchestra & Choir, Arturo Sandoval & Monica Mancini, Jessarae and musical director Gregg Field. Photos from last night's event can be found at AP/Invision. Also, check out photos from the event below!

Starting today and throughout the month of December, guests at L.A. LIVE will be treated to a one-stop holiday destination in the heart of Los Angeles. The LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. LIVE, the city's largest outdoor ice skating rink, will offer a festive holiday activity for Los Angeles residents while L.A. LIVE's spectacular holiday LED multi-media presentation on all 13 giant outdoor video screens, will present guests an awe-inspiring holiday light show throughout the month.

One of L.A. LIVE's most unique traditions is the LA Kings Holiday Ice presented by Coca-Cola – the 132'x80' outdoor ice skating rink located within Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE. The skating surface is even bigger than last year's rink and is the perfect holiday outing! The rink will be open to the from November 24 – January 2, weekdays from 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm and on weekends from 3:00 pm – 11:30 pm. General admission skate rentals are $13, Groups of 10 or more people are $10 and Military, Seniors and Kids Under 7 are $6. For more information, visit www.lalive.com/holidayice.

The centerpiece of Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE is a 66-foot artificial Sequoia tree with over 120,000 Cool White LED mini lights, placed in the center of the ice rink so everyone can skate around it. The streets all around L.A. LIVE will also sparkle during the holiday season with over 75,000 festive lights along the streets that adorn 50 ten-foot angels and over 265,000 snowfall LED lights covering 150 trees.

Since the holidays are also a time to give back, AEG's annual holiday charitable initiative, Season of Giving has again been launched to provide fundraising and awareness opportunities for charities, foundations and non-profit organizations based in the Los Angeles area. Throughout the month of December, a different charity, foundation or non-profit organization will be honored nightly at 6:15 pm at the skating rink as part of AEG's Season of Giving initiative. In the last three years, over 100 charities and non-profit organizations.

L.A. LIVE's quintessential holiday offering will shine a bright light on all that the holidays should represent ? fun activities for the whole family and charitable giving!

2012 Season of Giving Presentation Schedule (Partial):
*Events unless otherwise noted will start at 6:15 pm and take place at the LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. LIVE. Please visit www.aegseasonofgiving.com for more information.

Photo Credit: Invision for AEG/AP Images & Matt Sayles