Providence City Hall Tree Lighting Scheduled For Friday

PROVIDENCE, RI — Providence is set to shine even brighter after this weekend, which features not only the State House tree lighting, but the lighting of the tree at City Hall.

The weekend of celebration will kick off on Friday night with the lighting of the City Hall holiday tree.

Due to forecasted rain, the city has moved its events scheduled for Saturday to Sunday, officials said.

Sunday’s events will feature two-time US Olympic figure-skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan as she once again headlines an all-star ice-skating show at BankNewport City Center following the lighting of the Providence Rink’s tree.

“The holidays are the perfect time to come together with family, friends, and neighbors thereby strengthening our community,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Our tree lighting ceremonies have become a beloved holiday tradition here in Providence, providing space for families and neighbors to join together in celebrating the holiday season with joy and togetherness.”

The City will light its trees at Providence City Hall and BankNewport City Center on Friday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.

The tree adorning the steps of City Hall was donated by Vito and Julie Giorgio, and the BankNewport City Center’s tree was donated by Richard and Aleshia Vaughan in memory of the Rev. Dr. Sammy Vaughan and Gwendolyn Vaughan, officials noted.

On Sunday, WJAR’s Patrice Wood will host the BankNewport City Center tree lighting ceremony featuring the Brown University Marching Band and a star-studded ice-skating show hosted by and featuring two-time US Olympic Medalist Kerrigan.

The evening of championship figure skating will include an all-star lineup with Olympic Team Medalists and National Champions Jason Brown, Karen Chen, and Rhode Island’s very own Marissa Castelli. Also performing will be international and national competitors Heidi Munger, Jun Hong Chen, Phillip Baker, and the 2019 Nations’ Cup Silver Medalists Ocean State Ice Theatre.

Joining them will be 2022-2023 National Qualifying Series Medalists Sasha Streeter, Sean Chien, and Jonah Sobieraj, as well as local stars from BV Skating and Mount Saint Charles Academy.

All of this takes place during the "Three Nights of Lights" event series happening in the city. For more on those events, read this Patch article: 'Three Nights Of Lights' In Providence