79th Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting

The 79th Annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common will be a virtual celebration broadcast on WCVB Channel 5 on December 3 beginning at 7:00 p.m. This tradition is a partnership with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia, presenting sponsors Exelon Generation and Xfinity, promotional sponsor the Coca-Cola Company, and media sponsors WCVB Channel 5, Magic 106.7 FM, and the Boston Globe. Due to current public health guidelines, there will be no live event on the Boston Common.

WCVB Channel 5’s “Chronicle” co-anchors Anthony Everett and Shayna Seymour will again host the broadcast. Entertainment during the program will include the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Nicholas Christopher from the musical “Hamilton”, Nova Scotia’s Barra MacNeils as well as Sarah and Elizabeth MacInnis with Jenny Mackenzie, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops, and Grammy Award-winning artist Shaggy.

Santa Claus will join Mayor Walsh virtually for a special countdown during the broadcast. With the flip of the switch, trees will light up in the Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The program will include remarks by Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil. Nova Scotia is dedicating its 2020 Tree for Boston to healthcare workers to honor both Boston’s response after the Halifax Explosion and those who are working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nova Scotia is also sending an additional four smaller trees for donation to local charities.

The lighting of the trees on the Common is made possible through the generosity of Read Custom Soils, the Herb Chambers Companies, the Lynch Foundation, and contributions from other individuals and institutions.

This is the 49th 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.