New Rochelle Holiday Tree Lighting Scheduled

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting is one of the biggest holiday traditions in New York City, but in New Rochelle there is Holiday Lighting in Memorial Plaza that's an intimate and festive family celebration which this year will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6.

The event, presented by The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and the City of New Rochelle, celebrates traditions of Christmas and Hanukah and is a time where diverse cultures harmoniously crowd Memorial Plaza in downtown New Rochelle to watch the annual ceremony, according to a spokeswoman. It will also be broadcast on NRTV, at a later date, for those who prefer to watch from the comfort of their homes.

This year’s tree was carefully selected a year ago in Verbank, Dutchess County, by New Rochelle Parks Foreman Brian O’Rourke.

“I've had my eye on this particular tree since last year,” he said. “You have to think ahead, as I've already selected our tree for next year and will visit it next October to make sure it’s the one. Cutting down the annual tree has become a wonderful tradition for our Parks Team.”

The Songcatchers will lead the crowd in singing traditional holiday songs from each culture beginning at 5:30 p.m. The lighting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. with New Rochelle’s Mayor Noam Bramson and Jennifer Lanser of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce.

The event closes with Santa arriving with his friends, the New Rochelle Fire Department, immediately after the lighting.

The ceremony is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. This year’s tree was sponsored by The Beechmont Tavern, and hot chocolate will be provided by Alicia’s Bakery.

Image via Shutterstock.