Beyond Hudson Yards’ dazzling lights display and NYBG’s GLOW, it’s that time of year to add the many stunning tree lighting ceremonies in NYC to your calendar, that will completely illuminate the city.
Here are the events taking place this year (in chronological order):
November 25: Brooklyn Lights Up: Industry City
For the first time ever, Industry City will be hosting a tree lighting ceremony on November 25, alongside a celebration of the holiday season and Small Business Saturday! There will be free kids’ activities, hands-on crafts, carolers, and so much more!
🕓: 12 pm – 2 pm
📍: Industry City (220 36th St, Brooklyn)
November 28: Bank of America Winter Village Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Each year the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park puts on a Tree Lighting Skate-tacular to kick off the holiday season. Entry is free and will open at 4 pm on a first come first served basis. It will feature guest hosts, performances from world-class skaters, fireworks, and more! If you weren’t able to make it in person, the event will also be live streamed on Bryant Park’s website. Learn more details about the Bryant Park lighting here.
🕓: From 4 pm
📍: Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets
November 28: The Seaport
The Seaport District (formerly known as South Street Seaport) has an entire extravaganza planned to celebrate the start of the holiday season! This year’s tree lighting will coincide with activities like a live performance from a headlining artist to be announced, a drum line, chorus, cozy drinks for adults, a Seaport Kids x Gingerbread cookie decorating experience at The Gingerbread City®, and so much more! Learn more about Seaport’s tree lighting here.
🕓: 6 pm – 7 pm
📍: Water and Fulton St intersection
November 28: Tavern on the Green
Central Park’s historic Tavern on the Green restaurant will host its own 7th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 28! The iconic eatery’s very own Christmas tree will be topped with thousands of ornaments and lights to make NYC’s Upper West Side skyline glow. The ceremony included live performances from the Manhattan Holiday Carolers, plus complimentary treats and drinks! More info here.
🕓: 5:30 pm – 8 pm
📍: 1 Tavern on the Green (Enter at 67th & Central Park West)
November 29: Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holiday season…need we say more? On Wednesday, Nov 29, you’ll be able to catch it in-person or broadcast on NBC with co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin. Find more info about the lighting of this year’s tree — which comes from Vestal, New York — here.
📍: Rockefeller Plaza between West 48th and 51st Streets
November 29: Light Up Brooklyn Commons
This Christmas tree lighting in Downtown Brooklyn will include live ice carvings by Okamoto Studio, free holiday sweet treats and hot beverages, and even a visit from Santa himself! Learn more here.
🕓: 5 pm – 8 pm
📍: Brooklyn Commons Park
November 30: NYSE 100th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
A tradition since 1923, the New York Stock Exchange 100th Annual Tree Lighting will take place in Experience Square, located in front of the New York Stock Exchange at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. You’ll be able to sip hot cocoa, send letters to Santa, and enjoy the sounds of the season as entertainers Fogo Azul, America’s Got Talent’s Sal Valentinetti, and many more will be in attendance. Find out more here!
🕓: 3 pm – 6 pm
📍: 11 Wall Street (New York Stock Exchange)
November 30: Central Park Holiday Lighting
The 27th Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park invites guests to meet Santa and friends, sing carols on the Plaza and of course watch the dazzling flotilla of trees light up the Harlem Meer! There will of course be hot cocoa, the jolly man Santa himself, and Christmas carols too. Learn more here.
🕓: From 5:30 pm
📍: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
December 2: Empire Outlets’ Holiday Tree Lighting
Get into the holiday spirit with Empire Outlets’ annual tree lighting happening on December 2! This free event will feature performances from the cast of Elf from Spotlight Theatre and Wagner Highschool Theatre, as well as a variety of cozy beverages and snacks, and a grand appearance from Santa Claus! Learn more here.
🕓: 7 pm – 8 pm
📍: 55 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island (Empire Outlets)
December 6: Madison Square Park Tree Lighting
Did you know NYC’s own Madison Square Park was actually home to the nation’s first public holiday tree? You can take part in its 111th annual holiday tree lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 6! More info on their website here.
🕓: 4 pm – 6pm
📍: Madison Square Park, Fifth Avenue & Madison Ave. and 23rd St. & 26th St.
December 9: Morningside Park Tree Lighting
Morningside Park is home to the tallest living holiday tree in a New York City park! Come out to its lighting ahead of the holiday season where you can also indulge in hot chocolate, treats, festive music, holiday tattoos and fun for the entire family which includes an Ugly Sweater Dog Parade!
🕓: 5 pm – 7pm
📍: Morningside Park, Harlem
TBA: Washington Square Park
NYC’s 2nd Longest Running Tree will illuminate again this year, with a date still to be announced (typically first week of December). The multi-colored lights on the tree will be turned on to mark the beginning of festive winter evenings, from 4 pm – 1 am every day of the season. Stay tuned for the official time and day of the lighting!
🕓: TBA
📍: Washington Square Park Arch
TBA: Grand Army Plaza
This Prospect Park and Brooklyn community favorite tradition will take place sometime in early December. The tree at Grand Army Plaza is the only tree in NYC that is entirely lit up in red, 24/7. After the official lighting ceremony, the tree will remain glowing until January. The event is free to the public.
🕓: TBA
📍: Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch
Also published on Medium.