'Tis the season for Lights, Cameras, and lots of Action! The holidays officially kick off in Boston with "Holiday Lights," WCVB's Emmy award-winning live broadcast of the City of Boston's official tree-lighting concert, airing Thursday, December 3rd, 7-8PM, on Channel 5. And again this year, the celebration will be LIVE streamed on WCVB.com. Chronicle co-anchors J.C. Monahan and Anthony Everett will host this yuletide special featuring artists with world-wide appeal as well as many who have local ties.
"Holiday Lights is a spectacular way to kick off the holiday season," said Bill Fine, WCVB President and General Manager. "It's an evening full of special guests and incredible performances that is sure to spread holiday cheer. For more than a decade, WCVB has been proud to broadcast this beloved annual event so that all can tune in and join the fun."
Performances Include:
- The rousing New England Patriots Drumline (presented by Gallant Entertainment, Inc.) and the New England Patriots Cheerleaders
- Multi award-winning Broadway artist and star of Wicked and In the Heights, Mandy Gonzalez
- A performance by the stars of Elf the Musical - Eric Peterson (Buddy) and Boston Conservatory graduate Veronica Kuehn (Jovie)
- Boston’s renowned Black Nativity
- Celebrated gospel recording artist from Springfield, MA and alumna of Season 3 of The Voice, Michelle Brooks-Thompson
- Nova Scotia's popular recording artist and singer/songwriter, Dave Gunning
- From Boston's Berklee College of Music and contenders on Season 10 of America’s Got Talent, Pitch Slapped
- The lead of Maltilda the Musical accompanied by the winners of WCVB's and Broadway in Boston’s "Sing with Matilda" competition, The Sharon High School Select Choir
And the Grand Finale!… Boston Common and the Public Garden will light up in sequence when Mayor Martin J. Walsh throws the switch, along with the Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia, Santa Claus, and a stage full of special guests on Boston's official holiday tree, a 49-foot white spruce. Bill MacEachern, a Nova Scotian who ran the 100th Boston Marathon, is the donor of this year's tree on behalf of the province of Nova Scotia. The tree donation is an annual gift of thanks to the people of Boston from Nova Scotia in memory of the 1917 explosion in Halifax Harbor when Boston citizens rallied with supplies, volunteers and other aid. The event will conclude with a dazzling fireworks display during the official lighting of the holiday tree.
The broadcast is made possible by a partnership with WCVB Channel 5, Boston Parks and Recreation, The Government of Nova Scotia, and Magic 106.7 FM.
