Holiday Festivities Scheduled In Quincy

QUINCY, MA — A weekend of holiday festivities is planned in Quincy to celebrate the holiday season. Holiday tree lighting, a Christmas parade, a visit from Santa and many downtown activities will take place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1. Here's what you need to know about the schedule of events.

The holiday tree lighting will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 at Hancock-Adams Common, 1305 Hancock St. Mayor Thomas Koch and special guests — perhaps from the North Pole — will flip the ceremonial switch to light up the holiday tree in the common at 6 p.m.

Heated tents will be set up at the tree lighting, with ongoing activities throughout the two-hour event — strolling Victorian carolers, ice sculptures, street performers, costumed characters, letter writing to Santa, free popcorn and hot chocolate, holiday treats from local vendors. Donna Marie Children's Puppet Show is scheduled for 5:15 p.m., and the Quincy/North Quincy Combined Choir is set to perform at 5:30 p.m.

The following day, at noon on Nov. 30, Santa and his elves are scheduled to arrive by parachute to the Pageant Field, located at 1 Merrymount Parkway. While waiting for the touchdown, community members will be invited to take a hayride around the field or high-five one of the visiting costumed characters.

Also on Nov. 30, there will be a holiday fair at various locations in downtown Quincy from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. "Fair Saturday" is a cultural movementconsisting of a festival of local arts and culture.

The 67th annual Christmas parade will be held on Hancock Street from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. Floats, marching bands and costumed characters will fill the Quincy streets. The parade route will begin at the intersection of Hancock Street and Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continue up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School.

Letters to Santa can also be dropped off at "Santa's Mailbox" at the weekend's events, and for the duration of the holiday season, at the Hancock-Adams Common.

Throughout the festivities, the new parking garage on Cottage Avenue will be open. The Ross Lot has a walkway from the lot to the parade route on Hancock Street.

City officials say that in the interest of public safety, all bags and backpacks will be subject to search.