Boston's Mayor Michelle Wu is slated to host the 84th annual tree lighting on the Boston Common, teaming up with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Province of Nova Scotia for an evening of festive cheer on December 4 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., according to a recent the City of Boston announcement. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston will join the Mayor to honor the long-standing tradition, which commemorates Nova Scotia’s gracious gift to the city, a tradition sparked by Boston's aid in the wake of the 1917 Halifax explosion. Mayor Wu has previously underscored the importance of this annual gesture, stating, "Each year this special gift from Nova Scotia reinforces the neighborly bond that our communities have shared for over a century, and reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday spirit."
This year, the holiday season starts with an anticipated lineup of entertainers. At the forefront are The Pointer Sisters, ready to deliver their classic hit "I’m So Excited" among others. The live broadcast, hosted by WCVB Channel 5 Chronicle's Anthony Everett and Shayna Seymour, will commence at 7:00 p.m., as noted by the City of Boston press release. Mayor Wu has already been lauded for her attention to the cross-border partnership, becoming the first Boston Mayor to attend and to actively participate in the annual 'Tree for Boston' tree-cutting ceremony earlier this month in Nova Scotia.
The event promises a stunning spectacle with the lighting of Boston's official Christmas tree, a 45-foot-tall white spruce generously donated by Ronald and Claire Feener of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. This donation continues a tradition that has spanned 54 years as a symbol of thanks and solidarity. As dusk settles, more than 50,000 lights will illuminate throughout the Boston Common and Public Garden—an annual delight for city residents and a beacon of the holiday season, according to Mayor Wu's office in their announcement.
Following the main event, the evening will continue when Mayor Wu joins the Friends of the Public Garden and the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall to light up the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue Mall from Arlington Street to Charlesgate. The timing of the tree lighting festivities was outlined in the press release, detailing that the Commonwealth Avenue Mall is to be brightly lit at approximately 8:15 p.m., immediately after the Boston Common celebration.
Visitors to the Boston Common Tree Lighting can enjoy giveaways and refreshments from local sponsors like H.P. Hood and New England Coffee. Amazon, the presenting sponsor, said the event is a cherished holiday tradition that brings the community together. For more information, people can call the provided number or visit the city’s official website for updates.
