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Holiday Schedule of Events in Downtown Boston

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID) has announced the schedule of events in Downtown Boston this holiday season.

“Downtown Crossing will be in the holiday spirit this season with more than 100 trees lit up throughout the district, as well projected snowflakes onto sidewalks and daily musical light shows,” said BID President & CEO Rosemarie Sansone. “There will also be theater performances, carolers, a strolling holiday band and plenty of places for shopping.”

This holiday season will be kicked off with the annual tradition of Macy’s holiday tree lighting on Black Friday, Nov. 27th. The free event starts at 5 pm with performances by entertainers featured in Macy’s New York City Thanksgiving Day Parade, and culminating with the tree being lit just before 6 pm for the holiday season. Mayor Marty Walsh will be among the honored guests at the show.

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 For the second year in a row the BID is hosting the holiday Night Lights program throughout the district starting Friday, Nov. 27th through Jan. 5th for four hours a night, every 30 minutes from 5 to 8 pm. The program is highlighted by a dancing snowflakes holiday music show at Walgreens Plaza (Washington and School streets); the show incorporates projected moving snowflakes as holiday-themed music accompanies the light show.

The BID is lighting trees with holiday lights, including at the China Trade Center, Pi Alley, Walgreens Plaza, and on Winter, Arch and Summer streets. There will also be holiday lights at Post Office Square Park.

There will also be plenty of holiday-themed entertainment throughout Downtown Boston. The four-piece Downtown Boston Holiday Band will be strolling through the district noon to 2 pm starting Friday, Nov. 27th through Wednesday, Dec. 23rd. They will be performing holiday-themed music and they take requests!

The singing group Sweet Harmony will be performing on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 3 pm starting Nov. 28th through Dec. 20th outside of Macy’s (Summer Street).

There will be a public menorah lighting outside of Macy’s (Summer and Washington streets) led by Rabbi Liberman of Congregation Lubavitch Synagogue on the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 6th from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. There will be a concert starting at 4:30 pm with performances by the US Navy Band and more. Mayor Marty Walsh will also be on hand to participate in the lighting.

Santa Claus will be outside of Macy's on Summer Street each weekend leading up to Christmas. It is free to tell Santa what you want for Christmas -- just bring your own camera for photos. Santa Claus will be on Summer Street outside of Macy's from noon to 2 pm and 3 to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

The Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker is being performed at the Boston Opera House starting Nov. 27th and running through Dec. 31st. There are multiple performances on Fridays and Saturdays, including 1 pm shows for the very little kids. Visit www.bostonballet.org/nutcracker for tickets and more info.

The Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre will be performing its own version of The Nutcracker at the Cutler Majestic Theatre from Nov. 27th through Dec. 6th. Visit www.ballettheatre.org/nutcracker for tickets and more info.

Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity will be performed at Emerson College’s Paramount Center with shows from Dec. 4th through Dec. 20th. Visit paramountboston.org for tickets and more info.