On December 5, Santa Claus and Mayor Michelle Wu lit Boston’s Christmas tree, a symbol of gratification from the people of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Boston Common.
Over 100 years ago, on December 6, 1917, upon hearing news of an explosion after a collision between the French and Norwegian munitions ships in Halifax Bay, Boston residents sent medical supplies and rescue teams by train to assist the people of Nova Scotia.
In the years following the explosion that killed nearly 2,000 Halifax residents, the people of Nova Scotia thanked Boston by sending a Christmas tree. Then, in 1971, the city repeated this gesture, and every year since then, a tree has been gifted to Boston honoring the acts of kindness of many Massachusetts volunteers. Benjamin Davidson (I) comments on the value of the lighting, stating, “It’s just a great thing Boston does to keep the community intertwined.”
In the season of giving, Mayor Wu has sought to increase efforts to support families. According to the City of Boston, this year’s annual turkey drive held at Thanksgiving raised nearly 3,100 turkeys and 50,000 pounds of food for households in need.
Mayor Wu seeks to continue programs for families, remarking, “The holiday season brings great joy to our communities, and we want to do our part in lifting the burden for Boston families in need to enjoy a traditional and filling […] meal.”
Apart from the tree lighting, there are many places to explore in Boston during the holiday season. Boston’s Snowport in the Seaport neighborhood features over 100 markets and vendors. Boston’s City Hall Plaza, moreover, will feature ice sculptures on December 31 to celebrate the new year.
The city will also hold a range of live holiday music shows. The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball on December 15 at TD Garden features a variety of pop performances from Meghan Trainor to The Kid Laroi. Gianna Pergola (I) remarks, “Being able to listen to big-name artists and start the holiday season off with family and friends is always a great time.” At Symphony Hall between December 5 and December 24, Boston Pops will also host their annual concerts.
Chabad of Downtown Boston, a Jewish educational organization, will be hosting the annual Menorah lighting on Boston Common between December 25 and January 2. The event will have live music and host local officials to celebrate Hanukkah, another well-known holiday in the Boston area.
Kwanzaa events are being held all across the city. It is an annual celebration created in 1966 that is held between December 26 and January 1 to celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa that call for the unity of African Americans regardless of religion. These principles include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
There are many activities for everyone to participate in during the holiday season. Boston residents can enjoy religious celebrations with friends and family, live music and specialty markets — whatever it is, our city has it to offer.