Festivities to begin Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 5:15 p.m.
Mayor Jorge Elorza, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism and the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to announce the Annual Holiday Celebration and Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, December 5, from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. at the Alex and Ani City Center.
“There is no better way to get everyone in the holiday spirit than lighting the Christmas tree and having a holiday celebration,” said Mayor Elorza. “I am thrilled to be joined by such great partners in bringing the holiday tradition back this year.”
Event hosts Mayor Elorza and WJAR’s Patrice Wood will light up the Christmas Trees at the Alex and Ani City Center and Providence City Hall. This event is free and open to the public. Hot chocolate, candy canes, hot cider and snacks will be provided throughout the rink by some of our sponsors.
The evening’s event will have a special tribute as Mr. Joseph Lugo, a Providence native in his 5th bout with cancer, will join Mayor Elorza in lighting the City Hall tree. Lugo asked to share his holiday cheer with Providence by adorning tree with 3000 white lights. He says the lights symbolize the purity of a fighting spirit and hope for the future.
Activities and performances include:
- An interactive sculpture
- Wrapping and weaving festively painted branches with Artist Carrie Hyde
- The Brown University Skating Band
- The Wheeler School’s East Coast Acapella Champion, The 18 Wheelers
- A skating exhibition produced by Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan, Sarah Mirza DiNardo, and Brad Vigorito, featuring Rhode Island’s figure skating clubs, national champions, and local skaters
The City of Providence’s Holiday Celebration & Christmas Tree Lighting is produced by the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, Playful Providence, and the Department of Parks & Recreation with sponsorship from Zipcar, Stanley Tree Service, Whole Foods and promotional support from NBC 10 WJAR, Cardis Furniture, Phi Sigma Kappa, Tau Epsilon Phi, and Johnson and Wales University.