Syracuse reveals plan for 2021 Christmas tree lighting

The assembly of the 42-ft. Syracuse Christmas tree began on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. Mayor Ben Walsh announced the 2021 tree lighting will be both in person on Nov. 26 and online at SyracuseTreeLighting.com. (Katrina Tulloch)

The assembly of the 42-ft. Syracuse Christmas tree began on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. Mayor Ben Walsh announced the 2021 tree lighting will be both in person on Nov. 26 and online at SyracuseTreeLighting.com. (Katrina Tulloch)

Syracuse, N.Y. — After being forced to hold a scaled-back, virtual event amid the pandemic last year, the city will once again bring people together for its annual Christmas tree lighting, the mayor’s office announced today.

But residents who still want more social distance with their Christmas cheer will be able to watch a video event on a special website instead of joining in person, the mayor’s office said.

The live ceremony will be held in Clinton Square on Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving, as is tradition. A “pre-show” featuring a choir from Onondaga Hill Middle School will start at 6 p.m., with the 45-minute main event starting at 6:30 p.m.

Syracuse-based Brownskin Band will play throughout the program, and three children being selected through an art competition will help Walsh and Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens light the 42-foot-tall tree.

Masks are recommended for all attendees.

The assembly of the 42-ft. Syracuse Christmas tree began on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. Mayor Ben Walsh announced the 2021 tree lighting will be both in person on Nov. 26 and online at SyracuseTreeLighting.com. (Katrina Tulloch)

The assembly of the 42-ft. Syracuse Christmas tree began on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. Mayor Ben Walsh announced the 2021 tree lighting will be both in person on Nov. 26 and online at SyracuseTreeLighting.com. (Katrina Tulloch)

The online program, which is being produced by Cumulus Media again this year, will be available starting Dec. 8 at the same website used last year, SyracuseTreeLighting.com.

About 2,000 people attended the event in 2019, the last time it was held in person.

Regulations calling for social distancing during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 forced city officials to cancel that year’s in-person event. The city’s 2020 virtual tree lighting drew more than 25,000 views.

“I think we all missed being together,” Walsh said in a press conference on Wednesday.

According to Post-Standard archives, the city’s tree-lighting ceremony dates back at least to 1914, when a Parks Department crew delivered a 40-foot tree by sleigh to the plaza now known as Columbus Circle.

The Clinton Square ice rink will also open for skating on Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. The rink will be closed during the tree lighting ceremony and will reopen afterward, with extended hours until 9:30 p.m. The ice rink’s general admission fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children (12 and under) and seniors (55 and older). Skate rentals are $5. No reservations are required.

How kids can enter the contest to help light the tree

City officials will choose three kids to help Walsh light the Christmas tree during the celebration.

To enter:

  • Kids must be between the ages of 5-12.
  • Kids should create a freehand drawing showcasing the ceremony’s theme, “Holidays around the world.”
  • Parents must take a picture of the drawing and email it to ParksYouthRecreation@syrgov.net by Friday, Nov. 19, at 5 p.m.
  • Parents must include child’s name, age, school, parent’s name, a phone number and an email address when they submit the photo of the drawing.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh (left) speaks to Kevin Henry, director of the DPW building maintenance program, during the assembly of the Christmas tree in Clinton Square.

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh (left) speaks to Kevin Henry, director of the DPW building maintenance program, during the assembly of the Christmas tree in Clinton Square. Nov. 10, 2021.

Accessibility, parking and street closures

Accessible seating for the festivities will be available near the corner of West Water and South Salina streets.

Street parking will be free to everyone on Nov. 26.

Several streets will close to allow a crowd to gather for the celebration:

Streets Closed from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • 200 block of West Water Street, from Clinton Street to Franklin Street
  • Clinton Street, from West Genesee Street to Washington Street
  • Erie Boulevard West, from Clinton Street to Franklin Street

Streets Closed from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Clinton Street, from Herald Place to Genesee Street
  • Salina Street, from Willow Street to Washington Street
  • Genesee Street, from Franklin Street to Salina Street
  • James Street, from Salina Street to Warren Street
  • 100 block of Water Street and East Genesee Street, from Salina Street to Warren Street
  • Erie Boulevard East, from Salina Street to Warren Street

Got a tip, comment or story idea? Call or text Megan Craig at ‪315-925-7137, email her at mcraig@syracuse.com or send a direct message on Twitter @megcraig1.

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