On Saturday, November 21^st, Thousands Came Together to Kick-start the Holiday Season with a Full Day of Entertainment and 2015’s First Tree Lighting Ceremony  

This past weekend, thousands of spectators – either from the comfort of their own home or braving the cold at the Marketplace – experienced Faneuil Hall’s Tree Lighting Spectacular. Beginning at 2pm, the day was filled with holiday themed entertainment and special guests, and culminated in a live hour-long broadcast on CBS Boston’s WBZ-TV and myTV38 to mark the start of the holiday season.

30,000 lights adorn the 85-foot Norwegian Spruce tree – gifted to the City of Boston from the Faneuil Hall Merchants Association – which will sparkle all the way through the holiday season until the end of the year. Governor Charlie Baker and his wife Lauren “flipped the switch” to light the tree, and marked the beginning of Blink!, Faneuil Hall Marketplace’s six week state-of-the-art light and sound extravaganza. The ceremony also kicked off the New England Patriots’ Annual Holiday Toy Drive for which Faneuil Hall Marketplace will be a drop-off location for toy donations given to needy children.

The Revels opened this year’s event, boosting the holiday spirit in the air as the crowds began to grow. Presented by Scullers Jazz Club, an emotionally stirring performance by Women of the World followed, setting the stage for Boston-based indie-pop band, Amy & the Engine, presented by Hard Rock Café, to keep the energy going.

As the entertainment continued, WBZ-TV News anchors, Lisa Hughes and David Wade, co-hosted the spirited event, featuring musical performances and sing-a-longs by entertainers such as the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus and the Blue Man Group. Maestro Keith Lockhart led the Boston Children’s Chorus in a heartwarming performance and performers from the Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker also graced the stage, delighting audiences.

The tree lighting took place at 7pm to light the city night and it certainly did not disappoint. Afterwards, the Sugarbabies Band kept the celebration going, rocking around the holiday tree from 8pm to 9pm.

Special thanks to IBEW Local 103, NECA, CBS Boston, The Boston Globe, the Holiday Pops, Arts Boston, Clarendon Group USA, Inc., Swank Properties, Plymouth Rock Assurance, the MBTA, and Hard Rock Café for making this year’s Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular possible.

Take a trip down to Faneuil Hall Marketplace to see the tree and make sure to catch Blink!, the light and sound extravaganza, running every half hour from 4:30pm to 9:30pm nightly until January 3. You do not want to miss this spectacular sight!