It’s that time of year! We’ve rounded up the best holiday tree lighting ceremonies happening around NYC. Gather your friends and family and head out to join the exciting festivities. You can look forward to live performances, seasonal treats, activities for the fam, the big man in red, and more!
As always, BOOKMARK this GUIDE and check back for additions and updates!
Are we missing anything that should be in this Guide? Shoot us an email!
Updated 11/23/23
In Chronological Order
Downtown Brooklyn Gets Lit
📅 Tuesday, November 21st, 4:45-6pm
📍 Downtown Brooklyn, Albee Square, 551 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
Get ready to kick off the holiday season in true Downtown Brooklyn style and flair! Join them in partnership with The Office of the Brooklyn Borough President and City Point BKLYN at Albee Square for their annual party with special guest performances by Brooklyn Ballet, Bond Street Theater, DJ Mike Doelo, a cappella group Frequency, and more!
Enjoy free hot chocolate, take part in their ugly sweater competition (first five win a $10 gift certificate to Empanada Loca at AL B’s!), and get a free Downtown Brooklyn beanie (go to their information table under the big blue tent to learn how!)
Brooklyn Lights Up: Industry City Tree Lighting
📅 Saturday, November 25th, 12-2pm
📍 Industry City, Innovation Alley Building 5, 52 35th Street, Brooklyn
Brooklyn Chamber and Brooklyn One host the first annual Tree Lighting at Industry City in celebration of the holiday season and Small Business Saturday. bkONE will host kids crafts and activities during the day and have singers performing holiday tunes during the Tree lighting event. First 24 guests get a gift bag.
Park Slope Fifth Avenue Tree Lighting
📅 Saturday, November 25th, 4:30-5:30pm
📍 Park Slope, 4th Street Plaza, Brooklyn
Join Park Slope BID in lighting their Christmas Tree and celebrate the shopping season.
Featuring Letters to Santa (write a letter to Santa and post in their special mailbox) photos with Santa, music with Patrick, churros from Simple Loaf Bakehouse, Mexican Hot Chocolate from Chela, and more!
The Seaport Holiday Tree Lighting
📅 Tuesday, November 28th, 6-7pm
📍 The Seaport, Water & Fulton Streets
Join The Seaport for one of their favorite nights of the year. The night will feature live performances (headliner TBA), a live band and drumline, as well as cozy adult beverages from Garden Bar. Kids are invited to join a Seaport Kids x Gingerbread cookie-decorating session at Gingerbread City, and will also have the opportunity to give their holiday wish lists to Santa.
Hester Street Fair vendors will also have unique gifts for sale, and the South Street Seaport Museum’s introduction galleries are open for extended hours, from 5 – 8pm, with the chance to craft your own holiday “Baggywrinkle,” or maritime-inspired decorations made from brightly colored yarn.
Tavern on the Green Christmas Tree Lighting
📅 Tuesday, November 28th, 5:30-8pm
📍 Tavern on the Green, 67th Street & Central Park West
Tavern on the Green is bringing the holiday spirit to New York with its 7th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The tree lighting will feature Tavern on the Green’s beautiful 20-foot Christmas tree, topped with more than 2,000 ornaments and 10,000 lights to glow throughout Central Park.
Festivities will also include performances from The Manhattan Holiday Carolers and Allyson Briggs, to spread holiday cheer and create long-lasting memories for guests. Tavern on the Green will offer complimentary apple cider, hot chocolate, soft drinks, and sweet and savory treats for New Yorkers, tourists, and families.
They are also partnering with non-profit organization West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) to host a food drive during the event to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to food this holiday season.
Tree Lighting at Bank of America Winter Village
📅 Tuesday, November 28th, 6-7pm
📍 Bryant Park, 40th Street and 6th Avenue
The annual Tree Lighting at Bank of America Winter Village will feature Broadway stars and co-hosts Jessica Vosk and Mauricio Martínez; Performances by world-class skaters Mariah Bell, Karen Chen, Ryan Bradley, skating pair Alexa Knierim and Brandon Fraizer, and The Skyliners; World premiere of Ice Theatre of New York’s Jazz Nutcracker, choreographed by Kolton Krouse for Bryant Park; Figure Skating in Harlem, skating to live music by vocalist Alicia Hall Moran.
Avoid the crowds and enjoy a guaranteed VIP view of Tree Lighting from the skate pen, and be among the first people on ice as soon as the ceremony ends with a Tree Lighting Watch + Skate Pass.
The Rink closes to the public 1pm. Public skating resumes right after the show, at 7pm. The Lodge Bar and Food Hall will remain open all day.
Dekalb Market Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony
📅 Tuesday, November 28th, 5-5:30pm
📍 Dekalb Market Hall, 445 Albee Square, Brooklyn
Join for the Tree Lighting Event at Dekalb Market Hall (in front of Katz & Trader Joe’s). The Yuletide Carolers will perform and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be provided by Cafe d’Avignon.
Local Culture Management CEO Anna Castellani will light the Christmas Tree and officially welcome the holiday season. After the lighting, guests are welcome to join at Somethin’ Else cocktail bar for a holiday happy hour.
Light up Brooklyn Commons
📅 Wednesday, November 29th, 5-8pm
📍 Brooklyn Commons Park, 15 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn
Celebrate the start of the holiday season while enjoying a variety of festive outdoor activities at the Light Up Brooklyn Commons event, presented by Brookfield Properties.
Attendees can explore an exhibition of exquisitely carved ice sculptures by Okamoto Studio and observe a live carving, sample complimentary holiday sweet treats, and hot beverages, and look on as Santa himself lights up the treasured Brooklyn Commons Christmas tree.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
📅 Wednesday, November 29th
📍 Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
The holiday season will begin with the annual tree lighting in the heart of New York City at Rockefeller Center. More details TBA.
New York Stock Exchange Annual Tree Lighting
📅 Thursday, November 30th, 3-6pm
📍 New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street
Sip some hot cocoa, send a note to Santa, and enjoy the sounds of the season as The New York Stock Exchange hosts the 100th annual lighting of the NYSE Christmas Tree.
The event will feature entertainers and performers including, Fogo Azul, America’s Got Talents Sal Valentinetti, Grand Ol’e Opry’s Mandy Barnett, Frankie McNellis, The NYC Gay Men’s Chorus, High and Mighty Brass Band, Brian Kirk and the Jirks, The Hit Squad and more! Refreshments will also be served.
Central Park Holiday Lighting
📅 Thursday, November 30th, 5:30pm
📍 Central Park, Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, 110th Street and 5th Avenue
Celebrate the season with the 27th Annual Holiday Lighting in Central Park.
Hosted by the Greensward Circle, come meet Santa and friends, sing carols on the Plaza, and warm up with hot cocoa while enjoying a variety of seasonal activities. The event concludes with the lighting of a flotilla of trees on the Harlem Meer.
Light Up the Village
📅 Friday, December 1st, 3-7pm
📍West Village, West 8th Street & 6th Avenue
Mark your calendars for the first annual Light Up The Village Block Party! The Village Alliance will be joined by NYC’s legendary Brass Queens, the Village’s legendary Tree Riders, craft vendors, and more.
The street will be lit up with holiday lights (including a tree lighting) and there will be hot drinks on deck. Come out and celebrate with us, support small biz, and check off your holiday gift list all at once!
Holiday on the Hudson
📅 Saturday, December 2nd, 4:30-6pm
📍 Riverside Park, 125th Street and Marginal Street
Celebrate the season with a holiday tree lighting, live music, decoration making, and hot chocolate (while supplies last).
Winter Wonder at The Garden
📅 Saturday, December 2nd, 12-5pm
📍 Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street, Queens
Celebrate the best of December with live musical performances, a menorah, tree lighting, holiday crafts, selfies with Santa, and sales at the QBG Shop and outdoor Holiday Market! Enjoy a selection of beverages at the Hot Chocolate Bar for purchase.
Bronx Little Italy Tree Lighting Ceremony
📅 Saturday, December 2nd, 4-6pm
📍 Ciccarone Park, Arthur Avenue at East 188th Stree, The Bronx
The Belmont BID welcomes the return of the Holiday season with its annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
Meet Santa, sing Christmas carols, and enjoy Italian cookies and rich hot chocolate. In partnership with the Children’s Cancer Society of America, there will be a toy giveaway. Child must be present and it will be first come, first served.
Empire Outlets Holiday Tree Lighting
📅 Saturday, December 2nd, 7pm
📍 Empire Outlets, Center Court, Level 3, 55 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
Join Empire Outlets for their Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. Come hang out with Santa Claus and enjoy performances by Cast of Elf from Spotlight Theatre, Wagner High School Theatre, and Vinnie Medugno.
Fort Greene Tree Lighting
📅 Sunday, December 3rd, 4-5pm
📍 Fort Greene Park, Myrtle Ave and St Edwards Street, Brooklyn
Join Fort Greene Park for their 9th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in partnership with Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership for a magical evening as they illuminate the park. Enjoy free hot chocolate and write letters to Santa while listening to festive songs!
Madison Square Park Holiday Tree Lighting
📅 Wednesday, December 6th, 4-6pm
📍 Madison Square Park, Northern Reflecting Pool, 26th Street and 5th Avenue
Celebrate the 111th anniversary of Madison Square Park’s holiday tree lighting, with MSPC.
Featuring a photo op, baked goods, and live music performances by the acapella group, New York Life Singers, from New York Life Insurance Company and featuring guest vocalist Gabrielle Lee with Broadway Pianist and Musical Director, Alvin Hough Jr. in partnership with the Tin Pan Alley American Popular Music Project.
Washington Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
📅 Wednesday, December 6th, 6-7pm
📍 Washington Square Park, 8th Street and 5th Avenue
Celebrate your favorite winter holiday December in Washington Square with The Washington Square Association.
The Rob Susman Brass Quartet, their vocalist Linseigh Green, and the crowd will sing holiday songs. Santa Claus himself has promised to appear, candy canes in hand, and lead in the illumination countdown. The Washington Square Association will provide songbooks.
Battery Park City Holiday Lights Celebration
📅 Thursday, December 7th, 6-7:30pm
📍 Battery Park City, Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Chambers Street & River Terrace
Kick off the holiday season and observe the lighting of the Battery Park City Menorah and help count down the illumination of the Battery Park City Holiday Tree.
The festive evening will feature lively carols, beverages and treats, and special guest appearances including Sam Primack from Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen, and a visit from you-know-who! This year’s toy collection is to benefit The Coalition for the Homeless.
Dumbo Holiday Lighting
📅 Thursday, December 7th, 4-7pm
📍 The Dumbo Archway, 155 Water Street, Brooklyn
Join Dumbo BID to ignite some holiday cheer. Featuring a Tree Lighting and Menorah Lighting with countdowns led by their very own Alexandria Sica. Also:
- Santa Claus all the way from the North Pole, with Elves in tow! Photobooth by Self Portrait Project.
Holiday Covers. By Curtis J. Social And The Dumbo House Band - Cheers. Performances By PS307 and Dock Street Middle School Students
- Hot cocoa and sweet treats. Generously donated by Celestine, Dawn’s ‘til Dusk, Jacques Torres and Starbucks Dumbo.
- Holiday Projections. Animated videos celebrate the spirit of gifting, Created by the award-winning,
- Dumbo-based animation studio, Augenblick Studios.
- Toy Drive, Coat Drive, and Food Drive.
