SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The city of Syracuse will host the annual Clinton Square Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018 starting at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will be followed by a performance from the Syracuse City Ballet at City Hall Commons Atrium and a Mayor’s Office Open House at Syracuse City Hall. The full schedule of City-sponsored events is included on page 2.
“This year’s ‘Home for the Holidays’ tree lighting delivers all the hallmark traditions we know the community loves, but also incorporates some exciting new elements to add to this special annual occasion,” said Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh. “With the support of local businesses and other community partners, we are proud to bring the city together for a family-friendly, affordable evening.”
There is no charge for street parking on Nov. 23. Streets will be closed according to the following schedule:
Closed from 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Market Street
Closed from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Clinton Street, from West Genesee to Washington Streets
- Erie Blvd. West, from Clinton to Franklin Streets
- The 200 block of West Water Street, from Clinton to Franklin Streets
Closed from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Clinton Street, from Herald Place to Genesee Street
- Salina Street, from Willow to Washington Streets
- Genesee Street, from Franklin to Salina Streets
- James Street, from Salina to Warren Streets
- The 100 block of East Water Street and East Genesee Street, from Salina to Warren Streets
- Erie Boulevard East, from Salina to Warren Streets
Clinton Square Ice Skating
The Clinton Square Ice Rink will be open for skating on Nov. 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be closed during the tree lighting ceremony and reopen immediately after until 9:30 p.m. The general admission fee is $3.00. The admission fee for children (12 and under) and seniors (55 and older) is $2.00. Skate rentals cost $3.00.
Tree Lighting, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Clinton Square
The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m., following a performance by the Syracuse Learn to Skate! figure skating group. The ceremony will be hosted by Maria Maldonado Lewis, constituent services advocate for the city of Syracuse, and Ian Petrella, best known for playing Randy Parker in the classic holiday film “A Christmas Story”. The movie celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.
Trumptight 315, an R&B/soul group from Syracuse, will provide musical entertainment. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are “coming to town” before heading over to City Hall. A special “Ice Princess and Sister,” provided by As You Wish Entertainment, will be available for photos and to skate with families after the ceremony.
Mayor Ben Walsh, Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Police Chief Frank Fowler, and Fire Chief Michael Monds will be joined on stage by five Syracuse students, selected through a citywide art contest, for the tree lighting, which is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The ceremony is expected to conclude around 7:15 p.m. Brig Juice Brass Ensemble will perform after the ceremony, once Clinton Square Ice Rink open for ice skating.
There is an accessible seating area located near the corner of West Water and South Salina streets.
This year’s tree was donated by Onondaga County and the Department of Water Environment Protection. JPW Erectors donated transportation services to deliver the tree from Liverpool to Clinton Square on Nov. 9.
Nutcracker Performance, 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. at City Hall Commons Atrium, 201 East Washington Street
The Syracuse City Ballet will perform segments of “The Nutcracker”.
Mayor’s Office Open House, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Syracuse City Hall, 233 East Washington Street
The community is invited to tour the Mayor’s Office following the tree lighting ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos. Members of the Healthcare Education Project CNY are ready to help Santa and step in as his elves. The Victory Temple and Chittenango Select choirs will perform until 8:15 p.m. There will also be a holiday card decorating station.
The original 1938 Ford fire truck from “A Christmas Story” will be parked outside of City Hall and available for photos. There will be a suggested donation of $1.00 that directly benefits a restoration fund for the truck.
There is an accessible entrance located on Montgomery Street.
Holiday Film, Sunday, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. at the Landmark Theatre, 362 South Salina Street
The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs will offer a free showing of the holiday film “Elf”, starring Will Ferrell, at the Landmark Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 9. Doors open at 3 p.m., with activities for families to enjoy in the magnificent lobbies of the Landmark, including visits with Santa. The movie will begin at 4 p.m. on the theater’s big screen. The activities and movie are free. Refreshments will be for sale in the lobby concession stand.