Wreaths with red bows decorate Copley Square, and the Old South Church bell tolls when the lights go on Monday, November 28 at 5 pm – look for appearances by Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty, plus music by local groups including the Boston Children’s Chorus and the Boston Pops Esplanade Brass Ensemble. For complete details visit www.friendsofcopleysquare.org
Join in the festivities at the official lighting ceremonies on Commonwealth Avenue Mall and Boston Common. The 80th Annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common takes place December 2 from 6-8:00 p.m.
The celebration is presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia, and additional sponsors. The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when the Mayor is joined onstage by members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Santa Claus, Rudolph, and Frosty. The show will close with a pyrotechnic display by Atlas PyroVision.
WCVB Channel 5’s CHRONICLE Co-Anchors Anthony Everett and Shayna Seymour will once again host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m. featuring various artists (to be announced).
The lighting of the trees on the Common is made possible through the generosity of sponsors and contributions from other individuals and institutions. The annual holiday display includes the official Christmas tree from Nova Scotia and trees throughout Boston Common. Refreshments and additional support will be provided by promotional sponsors TBD.
For further information, please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505, or visit https://www.boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation
With community safety as its top priority, the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce has postponed the 47th Annual Christmas Stroll until 2021. There will be no organized Christmas Stroll for 2020. In its place, Nantucket Noel, a shop local initiative, will run from 27 November through 31 December 2020, allowing Nantucket’s residents to safely enjoy the magic of the season virtually, while still supporting local businesses for their holiday shopping.
Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude, December 3 – 13, will be primarily virtual, with tree lighting, caroling, Santa’s arrival, but the town will be decorated as always and there will be a special Outdoor Christmas Market. Updated 2020 Modified Schedule on the Official Kennebunkport Business Association Website
Chatham’s Christmas by the Sea Stroll 2020 was scheduled to be held Friday, December 11 – Sunday, December 13. While Chatham is unable to host this year, they invite you to visit throughout the entire season. Smaller events, sales and promotions may be viewed at https://chathammerchants.com/christmasbythesea
Other locations which traditionally host holiday strolls have either cancelled or have not yet announced plans, but I think we can safely assume most towns will be cautious. Tree lighting ceremonies in the Boston Parks are still on the calendar, but we will update as we learn more. Visit https://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/christmas-tree-lighting-ceremonies.html
The Commonwealth Avenue Mall Lighting will take place at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1st, at the Foot of Commonwealth Avenue (at the Public Garden). The trees along the mall will be lit after a festive gathering with the Taj Hotel Boston, friends, and neighbors. The Mall again will be illuminated with elegant lights made possible thanks to community support and private donations raised by the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Photo from www.weekendpick.com.
The Friends of Copley Square and Mayor Thomas M. Menino invite you and your family to attend the annual Copley Square Holiday Tree Lighting Festivities on Tuesday, November 29, from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, with WHDH’s Janet Wu. At 3:00, there will be a Story Hour and Candy Cane Tea at the Boston Public Library, sponsored by the BPL and by Catered Affair (rsvp by November 25 at 617-859-2282), and be sure to bring your little ones for a Parade of Festively Decorated Carriages. The actual tree lighting will take place at 5:00,with lights courtesy of Normandy RE Partners and Boston Properties, and there will be a post lighting reception at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Bring a can and support Boston Can Share. For more information, visit www.friendsofcopleysquare.org, or email friends of copleysquare@gmail.com.
Join Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Province of Nova Scotia, WCVB-TV Channel 5, and MAGIC 106.7 FM for the lighting of Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the City of Boston’s Official Christmas Tree. Acts to be announced, check at www.cityofboston.gov/parks for updates.
Garden clubs from the Springfield, Massachusetts area, including the East Longmeadow Garden Club, decorate historic Storrowton Village at Yuletide at Storrowton/Eastern States Exposition, December 4 and 5 in West Springfield. Music, family activities, 19th century craft demonstrations, ice sculpting, caroling, tree lighting and more are free and open to the public. For more information, log on to www.thebige.com, or call 413-737-2443.
The City of Boston’s Official Tree Lighting hosted by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, title sponsor the Province of Nova Scotia, and media sponsors WCVB-TV Channel 5 and MAGIC 106.7 FM comes to Boston Common on Thursday, December 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will be the 69th annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common. Chronicle’s Anthony Everett and NewsCenter Five’s JC Monahan will host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m. The celebration will feature the Radio City Rockettes, 2006 American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee, Grammy-winning R&B singer Patti Austin and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir, among many others.
Providence’s historic Federal Hill neighborhood invites you to participate in the 2009 Christmas Stroll, taking place Sunday, December 6, from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Tree lighting will take place at 4:00 pm. Enjoy holiday fun and cheer with a horse and buggy ride, free Christmas drinks and snacks, shopping, and much more. Federal Hill is the “Heartbeat of Providence.” For directions and more information, log on to www.providencefederalhill.com, or call 401-453-6161. You may also email info@providencefederalhill.com.
