Holiday tradition continues as crowds gather for Faneuil Hall tree lighting

BOSTON — Thousands of holiday enthusiasts gathered around a 65-foot Norway Spruce for the seventh annual Holiday Spectacular at Faneuil Hall Marketplace tonight, the first of many Blink! light and sound shows of the season.

Compared to other tree lightings in the area, Hurley said the Holiday Spectacular is a light and sound show that continues through the season with Blink!. The lights on the tree will sparkle in sync with music every night from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. until Jan. 1.

“We kick off the holiday season with this tree lighting,” Hurley said. “And then it happens every night. We have a ta-da every half hour.”

Shayna Frutkoff, who teaches at the Charles River School, said she grew up in Boston and attends the Blink! light show every holiday season.

“It's always nice to get in the spirit, and the lighting and all the performers,” Frutkoff said. “The fact that it snowed today really just made it all better.”

Madison Hampton and Jonathan Bunce attended the lighting for their first time, along with their corgi Kira, and said they were impressed with the show.

“We just moved here, so this is an awesome way for us to see the neighborhoods and get out,” Hampton said. “It’s crazy how busy it gets, but I can tell why.”

The two agreed that their experience was elevated because of the winter-y weather.

“I've never had a white Christmas before, so this is exciting,” Hampton said. “I think [the snow] made for a pretty scene.”

“The fact that this year the tree is covered in the snow makes it extra special,” said Benny Wong, a digital marketer in Boston.

Hurley said the lighting is planned throughout the year in conjunction with WBZ for a live TV show, a company to do the lights and a company to get a tree.

Sara Youngelson, treasurer of the Faneuil Hall Merchant’s Association, said each year the committee tries to improve the event.

“I want the tree to be taller,” Youngelson said. “I can see the top from my apartment, I want to see a little more.”

“The tree is five feet taller,” Hurley said. “And we have snow on it this year.”

The tree is always one that would have been cut down anyway, Youngelson said, either because it is old or has potential to fall into a house or wires. This year’s tree came from Wallkill, New York.

“It’s not cheap,” Hurley said. “But it’s worth every penny,” Youngelson added.

The tree lighting also brings attention to charity events that give community members the chance to give back this holiday season. The New England Patriots Holiday Toy Drive will run through Dec. 18. The Faneuil Hall Marketplace Holiday Mitten Tree will accept donated gloves through Jan. 1.

Samantha Hogan, a freshman at Simmons University, said she has been to other tree lightings outside the Boston area, but said those don’t compare to the Faneuil Hall Spectacular.

“The ones from home are fun,” Hogan said. “But this is a massive tree and just so many people.”

From sparkling trees to shopping, there is much to be enjoyed by Boston visitors and residents alike this time of year.

“We’re excited to be in the city for the holiday,” Hogan said.