‘Holiday Traditions in Philly’
Who has that holiday spirit!
One way to get into the holiday spirit is to come check out the City Hall tree lighting ceremony at the City Hall Courtyard. After several years at LOVE Park due to construction at City Hall, the tree lighting returns for the 22nd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 3.
This 45-foot-tall 40 year old Canaan fir tree from Linvilla Orchards will display thousands of colorful LED lights in helping you get into the festive holiday spirit. Mayor Nutter will have the honors this year, as he kicks of the 2015 holiday season by turning on the lights at 7:54 pm. He will be joined by other City officials and guest, including City Representative Desiree Peterkin-Bell.
There will be several activities starting at 6 pm surrounding the tree lighting event. Performances of classic holiday songs by: R&B Grammy award-winning recording artist Estelle, the Children of the Arts Youth Choir, Philadelphia’s String Quartet, Good Girl (Philadelphia-based R&B group), the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale and many others which are listed below.
Event Timeline for Tree Lighting Ceremony
- 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Pre-Programming begins: Philly Parks & Recreation Holiday Ensemble; cast members from “A Christmas Story, The Musical” playing at the Walnut Street Theatre; Philadelphia New Sound Brass and DANCE4LIFE
- 7:00 pm – 7:54 pm – Drexel Hill’s Arielle Baril, The Philly POPS Festival Brass Quintet; Northwest Philly’s Bobby Hill, of the Keystone State Boychoir, South Philly’s Carol Riddick & the Philadelphia Boys Choir, and singer-songwriter sensation Jazmine Sullivan, a Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts graduate who grew up in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section.
- 7:30 pm – Televised live by 6ABC
- 7:54 pm – Countdown to the official tree lighting by Mayor Nutter & guests
- 7:55 pm – Holiday tree lighting
Fun Facts about the Holiday Tree
- 2,000 LED lights on the tree (LED lights never burn out)
- 100 LED lights are used on the star at the crown of the tree
- The star at the top of the tree is four-feet tall and made of silver tinsel
- 500 green and gold ornaments, mostly holiday balls, donated by South Philadelphia-based Kindy’s Factory Outlet, will be used on the tree
- The diameter of the tree base is 20 ft
- The official City holiday tree was installed inside the City Hall Courtyard the morning of Monday, November 24, 2014
So come on out and bring the family for some holiday fun and cheer while getting into the holiday spirit. Make this event a family tradition, while enjoying all that the city has to offer during the holidays.
Bonus – Our Guide to Christmas Tree Lighting Celebrations in Philadelphia
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City Hall 2015 Tree Lighting
Location
City Hall | Courtyard at City Hall
1401 John F Kennedy Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Date & Time
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Tree lit around 7:54 pm
Cost
Free
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