Photos and Story by Beth Treffeisen
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. On the first Monday after everyone returned home from their Thanksgiving holiday, residents from across the City descended on Copley Square to embark on the first Christmas Tree Lighting on the holiday season.
The free annual event held on Nov. 27, was put on with Mayor Martin Walsh, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and The Friends of Copley Square for its 11th year.
Decorating and funding help for lighting the tree and setting up the stage came from Boston Properties, Oxford Properties and volunteers from the Friends of Copley Square and the neighboring hotels.
“A lot of work went into decorating the square,” said Michael Colby, president of the Friends of Copley Square. “It’s a very big crowd this year. We are expecting to have about 2,000 to 3,000 people here.”
The event featured appearances by NECN’s Jenny Johnson, Santa Claus, and Rudolph along with musical performances by the Boston Children’s Chorus, the Boston Pops Brass Quintet, and Berklee College of Music students Britani Washington and Sam Robbins.
The Old South Church bell rang when the tree was illuminated with the help of Mayor Martin Walsh.
Throughout the evening light refreshments were provided by local businesses New England Coffee, David’s Tea, Dasani Sparkling, HP Hood LLC, and New England Dairy and Food Council.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza hosted a family reception following the event that included cookie decorating, photos with Santa and treats from the Fairmont Copley Plaza.
“We like to think this event marks the start of the holiday season,” said Colby.