The Best Photos of Boston’s Christmas Tree Lighting

Photo via iStock/DenisTangneyJr

Children in puffy coats bumbling around with candy cane-shaped balloon animals. Teens grabbing two LL Bean coupons instead of the allotted one. College students swarming the line for free samples of Dunkin’ peppermint mochas. Adults shamelessly wearing dorky, branded reindeer antlers like they’re high-fashion hats. Boston Common was drenched in holiday spirit Thursday night as the city lit up the 53-foot-tall spruce gifted to the Hub from our pals up in Nova Scotia.

The tree, which commemorates 100 years of friendship and gratitude between Boston and the city of Halifax, dazzled attendees young and old, cheerful and jaded. The lights were turned on following a program from performers including the cast of Elf: The Musical, a gospel choir, and the Boston Pops. Fireworks accompanied the stunning display, which is one of the bevy of tree lightings ushering in the holiday season around Boston.

Here is a collection of some of our favorite photos from the 76th annual tree lighting.

Thank you to all my American and Canadian friends, and to my family — the Campbells. Tonight was truly magical. Merry Christmas! 🎄 . . . #halifax #halifaxexplosion #boston #treeforboston @bostonparksdept @nsgov @cityofboston

A post shared by Tree For Boston (@treeforboston) on Nov 30, 2017 at 8:11pm PST

What a wonderful time of the year! Thank you to @BostonParksDept, @WCVB and our friends in Nova Scotia for making tonight’s Boston Common holiday tree lighting & celebration so magical. pic.twitter.com/WXcpQfvRc7

— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) December 1, 2017

Encore had an awesome skate tonight at the Boston Tree Lighting Skating Spectacular!! #encoreofboston

A post shared by Theatre On Ice of Boston 🎭⛸ (@toiboston) on Nov 30, 2017 at 7:06pm PST

Boston Common Tree Lighting! 🎄🎄 . . . . #bostonusa #bostonparks #bostonparkplaza #fopg #visitboston @bostonparksdept @treeforboston #treeforboston @visitnovascotia

A post shared by Boston Park Plaza (@parkplazaboston) on Nov 30, 2017 at 5:35pm PST

performances || Boston

A post shared by natalie c. || photographer (@ncrxphoto) on Dec 1, 2017 at 5:27am PST

Boston Tree lighting. Union Fire Club Pipes and Drums/ Greater Boston Fire Pipes and Drums kick off the ceremonies. pic.twitter.com/R2RUNF88ec

— Brad Connors (@connors2892) November 30, 2017

Boston Common tree lighting 🎄 #favoritetimeofyear #boston

A post shared by @nikkiepav on Nov 30, 2017 at 10:54pm PST

🎄💡

A post shared by Renata Sancken (@renatasnacks) on Nov 30, 2017 at 8:11pm PST

The @TreeforBoston is #Lit #LightsOnBos #BosParks #Tradition pic.twitter.com/ToTCyN7GFC

— Boston Parks Dept (@BostonParksDept) December 1, 2017

Keytar Bear is the best bear in Boston pic.twitter.com/55Ff2hSevj

— Madeline Bilis (@madelinebilis) December 1, 2017

53 Feet.

6,500 Lights.

Boston’s official Christmas tree is lit for the holiday season!

❤🎄❤ pic.twitter.com/sdxDeG03bn

— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) December 1, 2017

And the tree is lit in Boston! pic.twitter.com/iRR1uxzeDT

— Office of the Mayor (@MikeSavageHFX) December 1, 2017