Boston’s annual trellis lighting means Christmas time is here. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park hosted the 22nd annual holiday ceremony in Boston’s North End on Nov. 25.
The trellis lighting marked Boston’s first official holiday event of the season, preceding the tree lighting at Faneuil Hall on Nov. 26, the ship lighting in Martins Park at the Children’s Wharf Harborwalk on Nov. 30, and the Boston Common tree lighting on Dec. 5.
As children from the North End Music and Performing Arts Center performed carols, hundreds of Bostonians gathered, bundled up and sipping warm drinks, to listen and wait for the countdown to begin.
There were tables set up by several local businesses, including the LEGO Discovery Center Boston, Celebrity Series Boston, and the Blue Man Group. Additionally, free refreshments were available to attendees.
Several vendors attended the event, with Joe’s Waterfront serving clam chowder, H.P. Hood providing eggnog, Drakes Cakes giving away baked goods, and New England Coffee dishing out cups of coffee. The longest line was for free hot chocolate and cookies, provided by Boston Marriott Long Wharf.
Sean Stellato, a sports agent, motivational speaker and author, was the master of ceremonies for the lighting.
Originally from the Boston area, Stellato said he was honored to be back in the North End, which he says is a neighborhood steeped in Italian American history. In addition to his signature velvet suit and fedora, Stellato wore his Italian American sports Hall of Fame pin and said he had recently been inducted.
Speaking to The Beacon about MCing the event, Stellato said “[it was] a great way to kick off the holiday season and give back a little bit.”
After the NEMPAC children’s choir concluded their performance, Stellato introduced Pitch Please, a woman-centered acapella group from Northeastern University. After performing renditions of many holiday classics, Miguel Cabrera, another featured performer, took the stage and performed popular Christmas songs.
Stellato later introduced Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who then spoke to the crowd.
Wu emphasized the importance of public parks in Boston and thanked the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.
“[They] make this park beautiful, stunning, and welcoming every single day of the year,” Wu said.
In an interview with The Beacon, Wu expressed appreciation for the “special” time of year.
“One of our biggest holiday traditions in Boston is making sure that every single neighborhood has a chance to come together and celebrate,” Wu said.
She also highlighted her personal appreciation for events like the trellis lighting.
“There are some families who I see once a year at this time,” she said, “and the little ones will introduce me to the new baby, and the next year the baby is walking.”
She added, “It’s so fun to really see everyone enjoying the holiday spirit together.”
State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, and council members Erin Murphy and Gigi Coletta Zapata were also in attendance. Addressing the crowd briefly, the group each expressed their gratitude for the parks department, the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, and the Bostonians in attendance.
Wu invited Santa, the Grinch, and several children from the crowd up to the podium to start the countdown.
“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,” they led, with the crowd chanting along eagerly. At 6 p.m., the switch flipped to illuminate the trellis with over 50,000 blue lights.
The crowd made their way over to the trellis, filling the air with laughter and cheer. Couples, friends, and families took pictures inside the bright blue trellis, which will stay lit through the winter months and become the “Tunnel of Love” on Feb. 1.
