NOVEMBER
November 28: Park Slope Holiday Tree Lighting
The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID will host a special tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 28. Enjoy free hot chocolate and treats from Du Jour Bakery as you wave hello to Santa Claus in a sports car spreading holiday cheer, listen to live music from Rolie Polie Guacmolie and other carolers, and enjoy arts and crafts. The ceremony will be held from 6:30-9pm at the corner of 5th Avenue and 4th Street.
November 30: Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square (Upper West Side)
November 30th marks the 16th Annual Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square! Held from 5:30-9pm, New York’s largest holiday festival features live music from established artists as well as newcomers. Plus, the streets will be filled with dancers, jugglers, stilt-walkers, food tastings from more than 30 Lincoln Square eateries, and more. The celebration kicks off with the lighting of the Upper West Side Holiday Tree in Dante Park at Broadway and 63rd Street.
DECEMBER
December 1: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park (Midtown)
Head to the tree lighting early this year to watch the first-ever tree lighting “Skate-tacular” theatrical show–which tells the story of a very special family on the night before Christmas and features Olympic Gold Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White as part of the talented cast. After the tree-lighting, get out on the ice and take in the winter wonderland while serenaded by live music curated by Jazz at Lincoln Center. The Skate-tacular begins at 6pm, and the tree lightning will take place at 6:35pm. Bryant Park, 40th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
December 1: South Street Seaport (The Seaport)
With special guest host Lauren Scala of NBC 4 New York, the Seaport District kicks off its 32nd annual tree-lighting ceremony with live performances by a cappella group the Mistletones, gospel youth group Livre’, singer songwriter Connel Cruise, the Mariners’ Temple Baptist Church, American Idol winner Nick Fradiani and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself. The tree lighting ceremony begins at 6pm on Tuesday, December 1. Seaport District, 19 Fulton Street.
December 2: Rockefeller Center (Midtown)
Watched by revelers all over the world, thousands will crowd the sidewalks here in New York to see this Norway spruce tree lit up with 30,000 bulbs and a Swarovski crystal star. Live musical performances will take place before the tree lights up on Wednesday December 2 at Rockefeller Plaza. Between West 48th and West 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
December 3: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center (Central Park)
Head to the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center for their 19th annual tree lighting! Meet Santa, sing carols, observe an ice-carving demonstration, snack on hot chocolate and cookies, and enjoy the beautiful lighting of a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer. The lighting will be held on Thursday, December 3, from 5:30-6:30pm. Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues.
December 6: Carl Schurz Park (Upper East Side)
Join the Cantori Choir and Orbital Brass for this neighborhood lighting–complete with caroling, candy canes and hot chocolate for all! East 86th Street and East End Avenue.
December 6: Park Avenue (Upper East Side)
In honor of those whose lives were lost in war, the fir trees on Park Avenue between 54th and 97th streets are illuminated with traditional white lights as a symbol of peace and as a reminder of the sacrifices veterans have made. The tree lighting ceremony takes place on Sunday, December 6 at 6:30pm, and is preceded by a ceremony at Brick Presbyterian Church on Park Avenue at 91st Street.
December 6: Queens Botanical Garden (Flushing, Queens)
In conjunction with its tree lighting ceremony, the Queens Botanical Garden will host a Winter Solstice Celebration, which features a live musical performance, garden tours, botanical crafting, and photographs with Santa Claus. The tree lighting ceremony will take place at 5pm on Sunday, December 6. 43-50 Main Street in Flushing.
December 8: Madison Square Park (Flatiron)
Before you and your family celebrate the 102-year-old Madison Square Park tree lighting tradition, join in on a variety of seasonal activities such as candy cane craft activities, and watch live performances by the “Finding Neverland” musical cast, the Sing for Hope Youth Chorus, The New York Life Singers and kindie performer Audra Rox! The festivities take place on Tuesday, December 8 from 3:30-5pm, and the countdown for the lighting begins at 4:45pm. Madison Square Park, 23-36th Streets between 5th and Madison Avenues.
December 9: Washington Square Park (Greenwich Village)
Mark the beginning of a festive winter season by gathering your family at Washington Square Park for caroling, music by the Rob Sussman Brass Quartet, and an illumination countdown led by Santa Claus. The tree lighting ceremony takes place in front of the arch on Wednesday, December 9 from 6-7pm. Washington Square Arch at 5th Avenue and Waverly Place.
December 12: West Harlem Piers Park (Harlem)
Celebrate the season with the Holiday on the Hudson celebration in West Harlem, with live music, holiday decoration-making, and of course the holiday tree lighting ceremony. The event takes place on Saturday December 12, from 4-6pm. Henry Hudson Parkway, between St Clair Place and West 135th Street.
