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Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Winter Holiday Celebrations

City Hall Tree Lighting

Photo: Justin Case

Each December, ACT organizes the annual tree lighting in front of City Hall. The process begins in the fall when the team works in collaboration with the Parks Department to find a tree from within our community, working with neighbors who are seeking tree removal and want their tree to have a special send-off.

Before the tree is lit on the steps of City Hall, ACT curates a fabulous community concert in collaboration with the Providence Tourism Council. Outdoors and free of charge, the concert features an exciting blend of youth choruses, local legends, and community musicians as we await Santa’s arrival and the official kick-off to the holiday season.

The tree lighting is just one in numerous Holiday offerings this time of year, including the Providence Holiday Festival, a weekend celebrating music, art, and community. 

Hanukkah Spectaculah

Each year the Hanukkah Spectaculah is an opportunity for the Jewish community in Providence to share some of their winter holiday traditions in the center of the city. By creating a space to be both publicly Jewish and sharing this small but meaningful holiday offering light in dark times, ACT partners with a group of leaders and thought partners every year to offer this celebration of light that features complimentary latkes and sufganiyot along with music and a community art activity that anyone can enjoy.

Because the Jewish calendar is lunar, the Hanukkah Spectaculah date varies every year.

City Council Holiday Tree Lightings 

The City Council Tree Lighting program takes place in local parks and recreation centers with community tree lighting events across all 15 wards. Planning begins in the spring with monthly check-ins, shifting to weekly meetings in September, and by early November, ACT finalizes tree locations and secures vendors with each council member. The main program runs from December 6–20, with each council member hosting one lighting in their ward. 

ACT and the Parks Department ensure trees are properly installed and lit with solar or electric lights. ACT works to coordinate all artist communication and provide on-site tech support and organize performances by local artists. In addition, ACT connects with recreation centers adjacent to the parks selected to team up with centers to celebrate the season at the tree lightings. Each event also features the Providence Canteen in partnership with the Fire Department and City Council and a visit from Santa himself on his motorcycle, thanks to The Providence Souvenir Shop.