The City of Syracuse announced the lineup for its annual “Home for the Holidays” celebration. The event, which centers around the Clinton Square tree lighting ceremony, is organized by the Office of Mayor Stephanie A. Miner and the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs. This year’s celebration will take place on Friday, November 28. Annual Event Culminates in Lighting of Clinton Square Tree.
“I am once again pleased to open the doors to visitors from across our community to attend this family-friendly event,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. “We are looking forward to having yet another successful event in Clinton Square.”
Clinton Square and City Hall
This year’s Clinton Square performance will be headlined by the Brownskin Band. The show will emceed by Kathy Rowe and Patrick from Y94.
The program will culminate in the arrival of special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus. Once they are on stage, they will join Mayor Miner, Chief of Police Frank Fowler, Chief of Fire Paul Linnertz, Chief of Staff Bill Ryan, as well as the student winners of the Mayor’s “Share Your Story” challenge to light the tree. The performance begins at 6:30 p.m. and the tree will be lit at 7:00 p.m.
Following the lighting of the tree, the public is invited to join Mayor Miner at City Hall for an open house where they can have a photo taken with Mayor Miner and the Chiefs as well as with Santa and Mrs. Claus between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. The Stan Colella All Star Band will perform in the lobby. On display will be the winning entries of the Mayor’s “Share Your Story” challenge.
Skating will be permitted all day at the Clinton Square rink, weather permitting, from 11:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The rink will open again shortly following the ceremony.
Across Downtown
Many events will take place across Downtown Syracuse, including the Erie Canal Museum’s 29th annual Gingerbread Gallery, which will officially open that day with cookies and cocoa in the second floor gallery. It will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. More than 30 gingerbread creations from families, youth groups, individuals and professional bakers will be on display. I have attached the media release about the display for additional details. The Gingerbread Gallery will be on display through Sunday, January 4, 2015
In Armory Square, the teenage and young adult students of the Signature Music Program perform live in Musical Windows on the Square at the Mr. Shop from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Across the way, in the Residence Inn Lobby Bar, this year’s newest venue, the Five to Life a cappella Quintet entertains from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The group’s emotionally harmonic and rich tones, though rooted in gospel, are equally compelling in all its vocals. Both venues are located on the corners of West Fayette and Franklin Streets.
The City of Syracuse, B104.7, and the Downtown Committee of Syracuse will offer a free screening of the movie Arthur Christmas at the Landmark Theatre at 7:30 p.m. following the tree lighting ceremony. Free tickets are available in the Landmark Theater box office. The Chittenango High School Select Choir will perform in the lobby prior to the tree lighting.
The 60th annual Art Mart, sponsored by Syracuse Allied Arts, Inc will be open from special hours, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on the night of the tree lighting. Located in the Atrium at City Hall Commons, 201 East Washington Street, it features original art handcrafted by over 50 local artisans. The shops at the Mart are open Mondays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through December 24.
Compiled by the Downtown Committee of Syracuse the Downtown Holiday Trail activities are scheduled for the entire holiday season.
Downtown Holiday Trail
Click here to download a larger, printable version of the Downtown Holiday Trail
Street Closures
Closing at 5:00 p.m.
- Clinton Street, from West Genesee to Washington Streets
- Erie Blvd. West, from Clinton to Franklin Streets
- The 200 block of West Water Street, from Clinton to Franklin Streets
Closing at 6:00 p.m.
- Clinton Street, from Herald Place to Genesee Street
- Salina Street, from Willow to Washington Streets
- Genesee Street, from Franklin to Salina Streets
- James Street, from Salina to Warren Streets
- The 100 block of East Water Street and East Genesee Street, from Salina to Warren Streets
- Erie Boulevard East, from Salina to Warren Streets
All streets should reopen by 7:15 p.m.
Parking
Street parking will be free after 6:00 PM. The Downtown Committee of Syracuse publishes a comprehensive guide to lots and garages available on their website. (Use back arrow key to return to urbancny.com)