Newark Holiday Tree Lighting Event Will Return For 2025: See Details

NEWARK, NJ — Newark will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 10.

The festivities will take place at 4 p.m. in the City Hall First Floor Rotunda, at 920 Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard, with the tree lighting following in front of the building.

Mayor Ras Baraka, city council members, the Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Newark’s Men’s Chorus The Brotherhood, and cast members of “City of Hope” are expected to be in attendance.

Santa Claus will also make a special appearance, organizers said.

Here’s what else to expect, according to a news release from the city:

“Newark Vocational High School student Chris Ignacio will serve as master of ceremony. Seven-year-old Quitman Street School student poet Nayeli Downey will recite her original work. The Brotherhood, a rich chorus of Newark’s finest male voices, will perform the Temptations’ version of ‘Silent Night’ while ‘City of Hope,’ a group of Newark residents, will warm hearts with a selection from their holiday musical Along with the musical performances, the Mayor will deliver a ‘Message of Hope,’ after which he and the other attendees will illuminate the tree outside City Hall.”

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