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'Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular' To Kick Off Holiday Season

BOSTON (CBS) – The holiday season is upon us, and it will officially kick off in Faneuil Hall.

For the third straight year, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and WBZ-TV are teaming up to televise the one-hour "Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular." The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV. It will be rebroadcast on myTV38 at 11 p.m.

WBZ-TV anchors Lisa Hughes and David Wade will host the tree lighting special, which will include holiday musical performances and sing-a-longs by by Maestro Keith Lockhart, Boston Children's Chorus, Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Blue Man Group, and Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker.

The evening will culminate when Gov. Charlie Baker and his wife Lauren "flip the switch" to illuminate the 85-foot-holiday tree.

Faneuil Hall Tree Arrives In Boston
The Blue Man Group was on hand to bring in the tree. (Photo credit Kerry Landry/WBZ)

"Our tree is a beautiful 85-foot Norwegian Spruce and it will be adorned with 30,000 lights that will sparkle at Faneuil Hall Marketplace for the entire holiday season," said Faneuil Hall Merchants Association President Carol Troxell. "We love joining with our friends from CBS Boston for the third year in a row to present a wonderful program to kick off the holidays for the thousands who attend in person and for the television audience as well."

Lighting the tree marks the beginning of "Blink!," a 6-week light and sound extravaganza including more than 350,000 LED lights.

In addition, the tree lighting also kicks off the New England Patriots annual holiday toy drive. Faneuil Hall Marketplace will be a drop-off location for toys that will be donated to children in need.

Though WBZ-TV's coverage of the event begins at 7 p.m., there will be events throughout the day for those attending in person.

Entertainment starts at 2 p.m. with performances by Revels, Women of the World presented by Scullers Jazz Club and the Hard Rock Café.

When the tree lighting concludes, the Sugarbabies Band take the stage from 8 to 9 p.m.

"We are thrilled to once again partner with Faneuil Hall Marketplace on the city's first holiday tree lighting of the season and bring this spectacular event to viewers on both WBZ-TV and myTV38," said Mark Lund, President and General Manager of WBZ-TV and WSBK-TV. "This is a wonderful tradition and celebration to kick off the most joyous time of year."

If you're at Faneuil Hall on Saturday, share your photos with us on Twitter using #wbztreelighting.

For more information visit the Faneuil Hall Marketplace website.

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