An updated talent lineup for Boston’s 73rd Annual Official Tree Lighting has been announced. Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia will host the festive event on Boston Common on Thursday, December 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The celebration is hosted by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia, signature sponsors Capital One 360 and Emera Inc., and presenting sponsors Distrigas/GDF SUEZ and Roche Bros. Additional support is provided by WCVB-TV Channel 5, Magic 106.7 FM, the Boston Herald, and the Boston Globe.
The holiday decorations throughout Boston Common and the Public Garden include the City of Boston’s official Christmas tree, a 43-foot white spruce donated by John and Ethel Ann MacPherson of Purlbrook, Antigonish Co., Nova Scotia. In addition, Nova Scotia donated smaller trees to Rosie’s Place and the Pine Street Inn.
The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when Mayor Walsh is joined onstage by Premier McNeil, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Santa Claus. The show will close with a pyrotechnic display by MagicFire, Inc.
WCVB TV’s Anthony Everett and JC Monahan will host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7 p.m. featuring comedian Jimmy Tingle, cast members from Motown The Musical, The Voice contestant Brittany Butler, the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, Nova Scotia band The Stanfields, the Floorlords dance troupe, and the Holy Tabernacle Church Christmas Cantata Choir.
The lighting of the trees on the Common is made possible through the generosity of Carolyn and Peter S. Lynch, the Egan Family, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Suffolk University, Boston Properties, John Moriarty & Associates, Boston Bruins Foundation, Steward Health Care System, Shawmut Design and Construction, Blue Hills Bank, XFINITY, New England Baptist Hospital, The Parthenon Group, Home Depot, Elkus Manfredi Architects, Related Beal, and contributions from other individuals and institutions.
The annual holiday display includes the official Christmas tree from Nova Scotia and trees throughout Boston Common with ten additional trees around the Frog Pond skating rink sponsored by The Skating Club of Boston. Refreshments and additional support will be provided by promotional sponsors Dunkin’ Donuts, DAVIDs TEA, Polar Beverages, Geico, GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, and the New England Dairy Board.
This is the 43rd year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. Within 24 hours of the disaster a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia.
For more information please call (617) 635-4505, go to www.cityofboston.gov/parks, or visit us on Facebook. For Boston Common parking information go to www.massconvention.com/bcg.html.