Beyond Hudson Yards’ dazzling lights display and Citi Field’s Amaze Lights Festival, 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 29: The Seaport
🕓: From 5pm
📍: Fulton St.
The Seaport District (formerly known as South Street Seaport) has an entire extravaganza to celebrate the start of the holiday season! Tons of activities from crafts and live music, surprises, and of course, the tree lighting countdown took place on Tuesday, Nov. 29! See more details here.
November 29: Tavern on the Green
🕓: 5:30pm – 8:30pm
📍: 1 Tavern on the Green (Enter at 67th & Central Park West)
Central Park’s historic Tavern on the Green restaurant will host its own 6th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday! The iconic eatery’s very own Christmas tree is 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.
November 29: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
🕓: From 6 p.m.
📍: Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets
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 4pm on a first come first served basis. If you weren’t able to make it in person, the event was also livestreamed on Bryant Park’s webpage.
November 30: Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
🕓: 7pm – 10pm
📍: Rockefeller Plaza between West 48th and 51st Streets
The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a world-wide symbol of the holiday season…need we say more? On Wednesday, Nov 30. you were able to catch it in-person or broadcast on NBC with co-anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker and Craig Melvin. Read more about this year’s tree — which comes from Queensbury, New York — here.
November 30: NYSE Annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Closing Bell
🕓: 2pm – 6pm
📍: 11 Wall Street
A tradition since 1923, the New York Stock Exchange 99th Annual Tree Lighting took place in Experience Square, located in front of the New York Stock Exchange at the corner of Wall and Broad Streets. Hot cocoa was sipped, letters to Santa were sent, and the sounds of the season were enjoyed thanks to featured artists, organizations and listed companies. Performances were open for public viewing and refreshments were served. Events took place from 2-6 p.m., with the actual lighting around 4:15 p.m. in years prior Find out more here!
December 1: Central Park Holiday Lighting
🕓: From 5:30 p.m
📍: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
The 26th 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! Learn more on their website here.
December 1: 16th Annual Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting
🕓: From 5:30 p.m (with family-friendly activities & entertainment 4p.m. – 7p.m.)
📍: Pearl Street Triangle (across from Dumbo Archway)
Enjoy an assortment of free, festive, and family-friendly activities from performances by Brooklyn-based steel drum band Jah Pan and animated video projections on the Manhattan Bridge to meeting Santa Claus and endless hot cocoa and sweet treats. Attendees can bring an unwrapped toys for the toy drive, and letters to Santa can also be dropped off at a special mailbox in the Pearl Street Triangle.
December 3: Bronx Little Italy
🕓: 3pm – 6pm
📍: East 188th St. and Arthur Ave.
The Bronx Little Italy will host its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Ciccarone Park, including a visit from Santa, holiday music, and most importantly, Italian cookies!
December 4: Astoria Park
Astoria’s 10th Annual Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on Dec. 4 at the Astoria Park Great Lawn. Festivities include arts & crafts, stilt walkers, special performance and balloon art. Children can even send in their letters to Santa!
🕓: 3pm – 5pm
📍: 19th Street and 23rd Avenue, Astoria
December 7: Madison Square Park
🕓: 4pm – 6pm
📍: Madison Square Park, Fifth Avenue & Madison Ave. and 23rd St. & 26th St.
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 110th annual holiday tree lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 7! More info on their website here.
December 7: Washington Square Park
🕓: From 6 p.m.
📍: Washington Square Park Arch
NYC’s 2nd Longest Running Tree will be illuminated on Dec. 7 this year, so gather under the arch (will also be live streaming the lighting on their Facebook Page). The Rob Susman Brass Quartet will lead the group in holiday songs. The multi-colored lights on the tree will be turned on to mark the beginning of festive winter evenings. In years past the tree has remained lit from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m. every day of the season. See more info here.
December 14: Grand Army Plaza
This Prospect Park and Brooklyn community favorite tradition is taking place Dec 14. 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.
🕓: 4pm – 6pm
📍: Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch
Also published on Medium.