The tradition of lighting trees on Park Avenue began seventy years ago when several Park Avenue families wanted a special way to honor those men and women who died in World War II. Today the illuminated trees – which appear on the Park Avenue Malls between 54th and 97th Streets – remain a symbol of peace and a reminder of the sacrifices made to attain it.
The trees are traditionally lit on the first Sunday evening of December following a ceremony outside the Brick Presbyterian Church (Park Avenue & 91st Street) that serves as a reminder of the original meaning of the lights and a celebration of the holiday season.
In the early days, the costs of the Tree Lighting were underwritten by just a few families but now this sparkling display is made possible each year by contributions The Fund for Park Avenue receives from the community.
This sparkling display is made possible each year by contributions The Fund for Park Avenue receives
from the community.
Sunday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m. for the 71st Annual Tree Lighting and Carol Sing! The whole community is invited to gather in front of the church steps on Park Avenue at 91st Street where Rev. Michael Lindvall will share words of remembrance and celebration and all will join in a rousing Carol Sing led by Brick Church’s Minister of Music, Keith S. Tóth.
Before the event, please join us for our:
Social Hour in Watson Hall
Sunday, December 4, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Come one, come all and partake in fellowship and goodies to warm the heart on a cool night. Please plan to join us in Watson Hall for an hour of holiday crafts, hot cocoa, cookies and festive nibbles before heading out to the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Please R.S.V.P. with the number and ages in your party so we can be sure there’s enough cocoa for everyone!
About the Tree Lighting: Trees on Park Avenue have been illuminated every year since 1945 as a memorial to Americans who have sacrificed their lives in war and in celebration of New York’s holiday season. Cherry trees planted on the median, as well as evergreen trees placed for the occasion, are strung with lights. This illumination is organized and paid for by the Fund for Park Avenue.
The Brick Church, has partnered with the Fund to present a lighting ceremony to which all are invited. This ceremony, held for more than 60 years on the night of the first Sunday in December, is interfaith in nature and sensitive to the religious diversity of our neighborhood. It has been customary to close off the south-bound lanes of Park Avenue, roughly between 89th and 93rd, from the late afternoon until the conclusion of the ceremony and dispersal of the attendees at about 7:30 p.m. The gathering has been both a somber and joyous New York tradition of more than half a century.
Photo by Cutty McGill and courtesy of the Fund for Park Avenue.
