Here's Where to See Tree Lightings in the NYC Area

Here’s where you can view Christmas tree lighting ceremonies in NYC and its surrounding suburbs.

By NYMetroParents Staff November 23, 2020

It's finally the most wonderful time of the year, and there's no better way to kick off the holiday season than to attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with your family! Here are some of the best Christmas tree lightings across New York City and its surrounding suburbs. Make sure to double check with the venues as it gets closer because of potential coronavirus cancelations!

Tree Lightings in Manhattan
Tree Lightings in Brooklyn
Tree Lightings on Long Island
Tree Lightings in Westchester

Tree Lightings in Manhattan

FREE Rockefeller Tree Lighting
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 7-10pm
WHERE: Rockefeller Center Plaza, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Don't miss this iconic tree lighting!
WANT TO GO? rockefellercenter.com.

FREE Tree Lighting and Sing-Along
WHEN: Info TBD
WHERE: Bryant Park, Between W. 40th and 42nd Streets, Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Bryant Park’s annual Tree Lighting
WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. wintervillage.org.

Morningside Park Tree Lighting
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 28, 5-6pm
WHERE: Morningside Park, 121st St. and Morningside Ave., Morningside Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Friends of Morningside for the tradition of celebrating the holidays in the park! On the winter solstice, they will light a tree, tell the stories of the holidays, and have a sing-along. Refreshments will be provided.
WANT TO GO? https://www.eventbrite.com/e/third-annual-tree-lighting-tickets-129379937877

Stuytown Christmas Tree Lighting
WHEN: Dec. 4, 6-7pm
WHERE: The Oval, Stuyvesant Town
AGES: All
WHAT: Info TBD
WANT TO GO? https://www.stuytown.com/events

Washington Square Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6-7pm
WHERE: Washington Square Park Arch
AGES: All
WHAT: On Wednesday, December 9th at 6 pm, the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and
children and grown-ups alike will sing holiday songs. The sparkling lights on the
resplendent tree will be turned on to mark the beginning of festive winter evenings.
Santa Claus himself has promised to appear, candy canes in hand, and lead the
children in the illumination countdown. The Washington Square Association
provides songbooks.
WANT TO GO? washingtonsquarenyc.org/events

Holiday on the Hudson
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5, 5:30-6pm
WHERE: VIRTUAL
WHAT: Join us virtually for our annual holiday tree lighting in West Harlem Piers Park. Tune in to the Summer on the Hudson Facebook page to light the tree and celebrate the season.
WANT TO GO? nycgovparks.org

Tree Lightings in Brooklyn

FREE Atlantic Avenue Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Party
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 6-6:30pm
WHERE: St. Cyril of Turov Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill
AGES: All
WHAT: The community gathers at the church to enjoy performances from local schools and donated treats from Atlantic Avenue merchants.
WANT TO GO? 718-875-8993. https://atlanticave.org/treelighting

Tree Lightings on Long Island

FREE Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4, 6:30pm
WHERE: Orient Beach State Park, 40000 Main Road, Orient
AGES: All
WHAT: The tree is lit by Santa and he is available for pictures afterwards. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
WANT TO GO? 631-323-2440. https://events.longisland.com/

VIRTUAL Annual Brookhaven Town Tree Lighting
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4-Dec. 31
WHERE: Holtsville Ecology Site, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville
AGES: All
WHAT: The Town of Brookhaven 2020 Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting – complete with holiday entertainment, along with Santa’s traditional arrival via helicopter – will be available for viewing on Channel 18 and on this page beginning on Friday, December 4 and airing through December 31.
WANT TO GO? 631-758-9664. brookhavenny.gov.

VIRTUAL Kennedy Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4, 4pm
WHERE: Kennedy Plaza - ONLINE
AGES: All
WHAT: The Annual Kennedy Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting Event will be held virtually on Friday, December 4, 2020. Please check back for details.
WANT TO GO? longbeachny.gov

Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5, 5-7pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa Claus will light the Hatchery's tree at 5:30pm. Enjoy cookies, tea, and hot chocolate.
WANT TO GO? Free admission after 5pm; $10 suggested donation. 516-692-6768. cshfishhatchery.org.

FREE Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 6, 5pm
WHERE: Heritage Park in Mount Sinai , 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai
AGES: All
WHAT: Come drink hot chocolate and eat cookies, listen to Christmas carols and hang out with Santa Claus in celebration of the official lighting of the Heritage Trust Christmas Tree. The Heritage Christmas Tree will remain lit for the remainder of the month of December. Event begins at 5pm
WANT TO GO? 631-509-0882. https://msheritagetrust.org/.

FREE Holidays in Stony Brook
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 11am-6pm
WHERE: 111 Main Street, Stonybrook
AGES: All
WHAT: Tree lighting on the village green
WANT TO GO? 631-689-5888. stonybrookvillage.com.

Tree Lightings in Westchester

Westchester's Winter Wonderland Drive Thru
WHEN: Nov. 27
WHERE: Kensico Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla
AGES: All
WHAT: Official tree lighting on opening night
WANT TO GO? $25 per car