At the 33rd annual Tompkins Square Park Holiday tree lighting

Photos and text by Stacie Joy 

Neighborhood residents came together late yesterday afternoon for the 33rd edition of the tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park... the ceremony brought the community together in a warm celebration of the season.

Sponsor C&B Cafe provided its famed chocolate chip cookies (with finishing salt), and Veselka brought hot chocolate and apple cider for all... and the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City provided the soundtrack.

Attendees included the original organizer, Albert Fabozzi...

... and in the crowd...

And the big moment...

... and later...

Postscript

Of course, it would only be an East Village tree lighting with some drama from the Parks Department. C&B owner Ali Sahin told me that up until yesterday, Parks officials said they wouldn't be able to get the tree lit in time and would need to postpone the event. 

However, Parks came through in the clutch and got the tree lights up. Still, the light pole they connected the tree to wasn't working, so they had to rewire it at the last minute.

C&B also paid for the lights, which are $30 per string. This tree has 19 strings. (The tree is adorned with all-white lights this year...  creating a vivid and striking display at night.)

Meanwhile, as people left the holiday ceremony, the NYPD was on the scene to hand out tickets for open containers. 

Merry Christmas!

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The grand finale at today's ceremony for the 33rd edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting... we have a lot more photos to post later...

Reminders: The 33rd annual tree lighting is TODAY in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Steven 

This afternoon marks the 33rd edition of the tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park from 4-5.

And the weather looks quite pleasant for the event, sponsored by C&B Cafe, which features the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and refreshments via Veselka. 

Yesterday, workers were spotted with the lighting in the tree. Hopefully, all the lights will work this year. (And here.)

When is the annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park?

Now that Thanksgiving 2024 is in the books... the 33rd annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is set for this Sunday afternoon from 4-5.

The event, sponsored by C&B Cafe, features the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and refreshments via Veselka.

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

This evening in Tompkins Square Park ... where another strand of lights on the tree seemed to have gone out (since Dec. 26) ...

Now that it's Dec. 26...

Photo by Steven 

The city can cut back on the electric bill by only lighting two-thirds or so of the holiday tree in Tompkins Square Park...

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Steven 

After some mixed messages about whether today's tree lighting would actually take place in Tompkins Square Park with the rainy forecast... the show did go on, though in a stripped-down version ... still with some caroling and hot chocolate via Veselka.

The annual tree lighting IS STILL ON in Tompkins Square Park

Top photo via EVG reader Eddie; photo below by Steven

Updated 12/10: There have been some mixed messages related to updates on today's tree lighting. Some of the organizers told us the event was canceled given the rain and wind, which surprised some of the other people involved. Albert Fabozzi, the founder of the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree-lighting ceremony, told EVG's Stacie Joy that there will be a small event  ... no musicians or microphones, but a small chorale group will perform. 

Reminder: the 32nd edition of the Tompkins Square Park tree lighting will take place tomorrow (Sunday, Dec. 10) from 4 to 5 p.m.

The event, sponsored by C&B Cafe, features the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and the Mandel & Lydon Trio with the music ... and refreshments via Veselka.

You can revisit photos from last year's tree lighting here.

Scrooged

Photos by Steven 

During this past weekend, someone destroyed the plaque about the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree on the fence around the main lawn...

This tree dedication and memorial plaque was new as of the past Christmas season. In early 2020, someone stole the previous version that had been in place for almost 20 years. 

Here's a December 2022 photo of the plaque (via Stacie Joy)...

Albert Fabozzi first planted the Christmas tree in 1992 to honor and memorialize his partner, Glenn Barnett, as well as others who died of AIDS.

Monday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Tompkins Square Park views tonight (March 6!)...

Seeing the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree in a whole new light

The Tompkins Square Park holiday tree is officially lit for the season. Again!

After last Sunday's festive ceremony, the tree was dark on Monday night, and it stayed that way until last night. 

Leadership at the Parks Department told EVG contributor Stacie Joy that there were "ongoing circuit issues" that required several requests for repairs. 

So all good for now. "We are pleased the lights are on," per the official.

Noted

On Monday night, an EVG reader told us that the lights were off on the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree — 24 hours after the official and festive lighting ceremony. 

They remain off this evening for unknown reasons...

At the Tompkins Square Park holiday tree lighting

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The Tompkins Square Park holiday tree is officially lit for the season... the grand finale of the annual lighting ceremony late yesterday afternoon. 

Albert Fabozzi (below) planted the much-loved Christmas tree in Tompkins Square Park in 1992 to honor and memorialize his partner, Glenn Barnett, and others who died of AIDS. The tree was 8 feet tall when he planted it. Today, the tree is well over 50 feet.

There's now a new sign noting the tree's significance for the community. (Someone stole the previous plaque.)

Despite the cold, windswept weather, a festive neighborhood crowd turned out for the event that included the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City and refreshments courtesy of Veselka and C&B Cafe.

EVG contributor Stacie Joy shared these photos of some of the attendees ...