WBZ-TV & Faneuil Hall Marketplace Announce 'Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular'
(November 6, 2014) Boston—Faneuil Hall Marketplace and CBS Boston's WBZ-TV announced today that they will present the season's first Holiday Tree Lighting in Boston on Saturday, November 22nd from 8:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The festivities will be televised during a live one-hour program, "Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular," on CBS Boston's WBZ-TV Ch. 4 and rebroadcast on myTV38 (WSBK-TV) from 10:00p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The "Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular" will be co-hosted by WBZ-TV News anchors Lisa Hughes and David Wade and include segments by WBZ-TV Sports Director Steve Burton, Chief Meteorologist Eric Fisher, as well as anchors Paula Ebben and Jonathan Elias. "Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular" will feature a reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The program will also feature holiday musical performances by the Tanglewood Festival Chorus conducted by Maestro Keith Lockhart, Jilly Martin from Boston Idol, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical and a performance of The Nutcracker by the Boston Ballet and the Sugarbabies Band.
In addition, the Holiday Tree Lighting located at Marketplace Center adjacent to Faneuil Hall, will kick off the New England Patriots Annual Holiday Toy Drive for which Faneuil Hall Marketplace will be a drop off location for toy donations for needy children. Mayor Martin J. Walsh will help "flip the switch" to light the almost 90-foot holiday tree, the tallest in the Northeast.
The daylong festivities will kick-off at 10 a.m. in the Upper Rotunda (2nd Floor) of Quincy Market where kids and families will gather to play the classic game Candy Land. There will be prizes for the winners of Candy Land, treats, arts and crafts and entertainment. Proceeds from entry fee donations ($20 per family) will benefit the nonprofit Pitching In For Kids which provides support for children's charities across New England.
Then, at 1p.m., entertainment begins with the arrival of Santa Claus and the Victorian inspired caroling group, the Christmas Revels. Other entertainment leading up to the "Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular" include live performances by The Love Dogs courtesy of Sculler's Jazz Club, Ryan Brooks Kelly presented by the Hard Rock Cafe and the Sugarbabies Band.
"We are thrilled to once again partner with Faneuil Hall Marketplace on the biggest and best tree lighting in the region and to bring this spectacular event to viewers on both WBZ-TV and myTV38," said Mark Lund, President and General Manager, CBS Boston's WBZ-TV and myTV38 (WSBK-TV). "WBZ-TV News anchors Lisa Hughes and David Wade, as well as the entire WBZ-TV family – on-air and behind the scenes – look forward to celebrating the holiday season at Faneuil Hall."
"We love the holiday season at Faneuil Hall Marketplace and joining with our friends from CBS Boston for the second year in a row makes it even more special," said Faneuil Hall Merchants Association President Carol Troxell. "Faneuil Hall Marketplace has been the home to New England's tallest tree for the past 30-plus years and this year we are excited to give television viewers a front row seat as we light it for the holiday season."
As the tree illuminates shortly before 9:00 p.m., Faneuil Hall Marketplace's holiday tradition, BLINK! will launch to the sound of the Holiday Pops. The six week state-of-the-art light and sound extravaganza features more than 350,000 LED lights that dance seamlessly to music to create a nightly spectacle not to be missed. BLINK! will play every half hour, from 4:00p.m. to 10:00p.m., until January 4th .
In addition to CBS Boston, the Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular is presented by IBEW Local 103 and NECA and is sponsored by The Boston Globe, ArtsBoston, Clarendon Group USA, Inc., Swank Properties and the MBTA.
About Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Faneuil Hall Marketplace is one of the nation's premiere retail destinations combining a rich history with innovative retail concepts. The cobblestone streets are lined with famous restaurants, ethnic food stalls and a wide variety of stores. Renowned for outdoor entertainment, Faneuil Hall has hosted many events and performances from acrobats and magicians to musicians and more. This one-of-a-kind marketplace has something for everyone and promises a memorable experience every time.
For more information, please visit www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter @FaneuilHall and Instagram @FaneuilHall.
About CBS Boston's WBZ-TV and myTV38
CBS Boston's WBZ-TV and myTV38 (WSBK-TV) are part of CBS Television Stations, a division of CBS Corporation.
