The Christmas tree at Washington Square, an 88 year old tradition, arrives on Monday, November 26th from Vermont at 4 a.m.! So Monday morning, when you walk by, it will be elegantly standing in front of the Arch. The 45 foot tree does not arrive decorated. However, it will be transformed at some point in the next week into its finest holiday ornamental wear and adorning lights so that it is ready on Wednesday, December 5th at 6 p.m. for the official tree lighting ceremony. The tree remains lit each day between 4 p.m. and 1 a.m. under the Arch until sometime early next year.
The Washington Square Christmas tree lighting tradition is older than Rockefeller Center’s which is now in its 80th year; WSP’s clocks in at 88! (Read more about the first year here.)
Two caroling events:
Wednesday, December 5th at 6 p.m., TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND CAROLING. The Rob Susman Brass Quartet performs. Santa Claus will be on hand. Songbooks are distributed.
Christmas Eve, Monday, December 24th, 5 p.m. Caroling — The Rob Susman Brass Quartet again performs. Song books distributed. Holiday cheer.
The tree itself, songbooks and two events are presented by the Washington Square Association, one of the city’s oldest community organizations.
A note: The tree lighting ceremony itself I think could use a bit ‘sprucing’ up, so to speak. When I suggested this, I was told they like it the way it is, thank you very much. So, if you attend, please give me your feedback! I’d be curious. It’s still a lovely event and has a good energy. Many nearby college students, children, and neighborhood folks attend.
Is the ceremony this Wednesday or next Monday?
Hi Nina,
This was an older post from 2012 but the ceremony this year *was* moved from the originally scheduled date of Wed. Dec. 4th to Monday, December 9th! Here is the new post announcing it: http://www.washingtonsquareparkblog.com/2019/12/04/washington-square-park-tree-lighting-moved-december-9/
Thanks for writing & happy holidays!
Cathryn