Christmas Time in the City

Boston, Mass. — It's warm, it's sunny, and you've probably worn shorts sometime in the last week. But despite the mind-bloggling weather, 'tis the season in Boston.

On Thursday, December 1, the 70th Annual Boston Common Tree Lighting kicked-off the official beginning of the holiday season. Thousands of city-dwellers and visitors flocked downtown to watch as Mayor Menino lit the beautiful tree amidst an explosion of fireworks and sparklers.

At 7:58pm, the tree was lit.
Photo Credit: DGuides.Com

"It's such an awesome event," said Boston University student Katrina Bossotti, 19. "I've only been in Boston for two years but I've come down to watch both times. The music, the lights... It just get's me excited for the winter. I'll definitely be coming as long as I stay in the city."

The event started at 5:30pm with the opening of Frog Pond, the city's central ice skating rink. The real show began on stage at 6:00pm with vocal performances by New Kids on the Block Joey McIntyre, American Idol finalist Siobhan Magnus, the Radio City Rockettes, Rockapella, the Boston Ballet, the Boston Children’s Choir, MAGIC 106.7’s Nancy Quill and Mike Addams, and saxophonist Grace Kelly.

For many spectators, the performances were more of an allure than the lighting itself.

"I came just to see Joey McIntyre," said Boston resident Angela Simmons, 23. "The other singers were great but I just needed to see [McIntyre] up close. I used to listen to New Kids on the Block every day."

Hot cider was a popular purchase for many spectators.

While jolly Christmas tunes played from the ornament-adorned stage, a sea of children and adults flooded the Commons from every entrance. Local vendors rushed to the scene to offer hot chocolate, winter hats, light up toys and more.

"We make a decent amount of money each year, " said Craig Jonas, 34, who ran an apparel stand including animal hats and furry toys. "It's a good time and people are generally pretty excited about everything."

When the final tune reverberated into the night, Mayor Menino took the stage to thank guests for attending the night's activities. Then, without further ado, the tree lit up as small-scale fireworks erupted from near-by.

The crowd cheered in excitement and finally, the tree stood tall and vibrant.

Take a peek at the variety of decorations Boston 
has to offer in our special holiday slideshow

A Bit of History

The 2011 Boston Christmas tree is a 50-foot Balsmic fur donated by Ken and Donna Spinney of Nova Scotia. Boston has received each of its annual trees from the Canadian region as part of a special agreement relating to the devastating Halifax Explosion.

On December 6, 1917, an accident off the coast of Nova Scotia killed more than 1,000 people and injured thousands more. "The explosion was the cause of the S.S. Mont Blanc, a French cargo ship loaded with explosives, which collided with a Norwegian ship in the Halifax Harbor. Boston was among the immediate respondents, sending trains filled with emergency personnel north in order to offer aid. The annual donation is a traditional 'thank you' for that help." (Boston.About.Com)

And be sure to go behind the scenes with Kedzie Teller to take a peek at Macy's decorations as they refused to be part of our coverage.