Peekskill Holiday Tree Lighting Saturday @ 4 p.m.

The 2017 Peekskill Makes Me Merry holiday campaign, sponsored by the Peekskill Business Improvement District, starts Saturday, December 2, 2017 in Downtown Peekskill with the Annual Peekskill Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Gazebo on the corner of Division and Park Streets.

There will be live performances by the Peekskill City Singers, the Arts 10566 Youth Choir, Grammy Winning Singer Clayton Bryant, from the Oscar and Grammy Winning Best Documentary “20 Feet from Stardom,” Renowned Singer/ Entertainer of Classic Pop Favorite's Doug Ferony, and Peekskill trumpeter Phil Miller. Bryant will be performing his new Christmas single, “I'll Wait Home.” WHUD radio's Kacey Morabito will MC the evening.

Immediately after the performances, Santa Claus will arrive on Stella the Trolley, followed by the official lighting of the tree. Free refreshments are being provided by Kathleen's Tea Room courtesy the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce under the Gazebo.

The annual tree lighting is sponsored by the City of Peekskill and the Peekskill Business Improvement District, with support from the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce.

The City of Peekskill is rolling out all new snowflake-themed holiday lights and banners throughout the downtown and the Gazebo and flower planters are adorned with holiday greens.

“This year's Peekskill Makes Me Merry theme is Shop, Dine and Celebrate. We are the holiday destination with unlimited entertainment and dining options as well as specialty shops that offer personalized service. Buy from people you know and from people who really care about the customer experience,” said Bill Powers, Executive Director or the Peekskill Business Improvement District.

This year the BID is introducing its first Holiday Shop Hop, weekends through December 18. Customers will receive 15% off on select items from participating merchants if they are wearing a Peekskill Makes Me Merry holiday button or have a 15% off coupon. Restrictions apply and some merchants may extend the discount to other days.

The Peekskill Arts Alliance Holiday Boutique starts December 1 through December 3 at its new home, Studio 4 at 925 South Street. Handcrafted gifts from Peekskill's finest artists. Fine crafts, jewelry, wearable art, pottery, small paintings, photos, prints, cards, and more. For more information: www.peekskillartsalliance.org.

The Peekskill Farmers Market is going indoors for the winter starting Saturday December 9, 2017 from 9am to 1pm at 925 South Street. Your favorite farmers market vendors are scheduled to be there to provide all you holiday gifts and the ingredients for that special holiday meal.

Santa makes a return appearance at the Paramount Hudson Valley for Santa Makes Me Merry and Third Annual Toy Give-A-Way on Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 9am-12noon, sponsored by the Love Holds Life Children's Cancer Foundation in conjunction with the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce and the Peekskill BID. Free admission, complimentary refreshments, face painting, costumed characters, Toys R Us Geoffrey the Giraffe, and free toys (while supplies last, one toy per child, no exchanges). Children can meet Santa and have their picture taken with him.

December is full of holiday entertainment at the Paramount. For holiday performances at the Paramount visit www.paramounthudsonvalley.com.

Like the BID's Facebook page, BID Peekskill - Business Improvement District for more information on what's happening in Peekskill this holiday season and all year long.