Hundreds Gathered For Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular

A large crowd gathered at Faneuil Hall Saturday night to watch this year's Tree Lighting Spectacular.

WBZ-TV's own David Wades and Lisa Hughes hosted the event.

Check Out Scenes From Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular

Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh kept the tradition of the night by reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  Walsh was also on stage to flip the switch that illuminated more than 30,000 lights and strobes on the 90-foot tree, the tallest in the northeast. An additional 350,000 lights that are part of the Blink! lights and music show lit up Faneuil Hall.

Some attendees shared their Christmas wishes with WBZ reporters. One young child, Mario, of Saugus, said his wish was to have a happy family.

The program also featured holiday musical performances by the Tanglewood Festival Chorus conducted by Maestro Keith Lockhart, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, and a performance of The Nutcracker by the Boston Ballet.

"What a wonderful night. I remember last year it was a little nippy. It feels very very comfortable and everybody's out. It's a beautiful beautiful night to start off the holiday season with a grand start" Lockhart told WBZ-TV's Jim Smith.

The tree will be lit every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through January 4. the Blink! light show will also run every half hour during that time frame. Santa Claus will be on hand each day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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