Abi Carter, the winner of Season 22 of "American Idol" and a native of Coachella Valley, has been chosen as the celebrity tree lighter for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway's 2024 Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024, at the Tramway's Mountain Station. KESQ Meteorologist and "Eye on the Desert" Host Patrick Evans will return as the emcee for this year's ceremony.
The festivities will commence at 5:30 p.m. with performances by the Palm Springs High School Choir and String Quartet, who will play holiday favorites. Following these performances, Abi Carter will light up the Tram's notable 45-foot tree adorned with over 4,000 LED lights, visible throughout Coachella Valley.
Carter gained popularity among "American Idol" viewers during her audition by performing Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” This performance earned her a Platinum Ticket from judges Blake Shelton, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry. They praised her talent and predicted her potential to win the competition. During her "Hometown Hero Visit," she visited significant places in her life, including the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. She shared that visiting the Tramway as a child left a lasting impression on her.
Carter made history as the first Platinum Ticket recipient to win "American Idol" and became the eighth female winner alongside artists like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Jordin Sparks. Since returning to Coachella Valley after her victory, she has performed various notable acts such as singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” at a Coachella Valley Firebirds game at Acrisure Arena and performing at events like the 2024 United States Olympic trials for gymnastics. She also held her first full concert titled “No Amount of Dark” at Acrisure Arena and is set to perform at Stagecoach in Indio in 2025.
The tree lighting ceremony is open to everyone and included with regular Tram admission.