The Parks Department will be mulch obliged if you bring your Christmas tree to Tompkins this weekend

Photo from Sunday 

FYI: MulchFest 2026 (aka Chipping Weekend) runs tomorrow and Sunday (Jan. 10–11) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Tompkins Square Park is one of the official chipping sites, which means city crews will happily turn your discarded Christmas tree into a bag of fresh mulch for you to take home — perfect for gardens, tree beds and other responsible, plant-related uses.

Noted

This turned up overnight on the back side of the Tompkins Square Park field house, according to several EVG readers. (And yes, it says what you think it says.) 

The response from neighbors ranged from annoyed to disgusted — not least because the field house only reopened last April after an 18-month revamp. 

The reconstruction of the field house that serves the park included a complete renovation of the building's interior and exterior, upgrading all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Accessibility improvements feature reconfigured layouts, new entryways, ADA-compliant ramps, and renovated restrooms and maintenance areas. The mayor's office funded the $5.6 million renovations. 

Updated: 

Parks was on the tag pretty quickly, power-washing it off the wall...

Photos via @voxvixen

Hazy shade of winter

Thanks to the anonymous neighbor for these photos of the snowmelt fog in Tompkins Square Park this morning...

Temperatures rose to above freezing today, melting the snow, and that led to evaporation and the formation of fog. Or something like that. #Blogsplain

At play in the fields of the snow

Thanks to Steven for these photos from Tompkins Square Park today...

Saturday's opening shots

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Our intrepid reporter ventured out into Tompkins Square Park during the latest fizzled Storm of the Century last night around 10 ...

We had a few inches of snow, thought nowhere near the projections. 

In Central Park, officials measured 4.3 inches, per reports. 

Noted

There are some unfounded rumors about some "space junk" on the main lawn in Tompkins Square Park...

A taste test confirms that this is, in fact, the base of a snow person someone created back when it snowed a bit on Dec. 14... a further lab analysis shows this still contains 12% ice crystals ...

Fallen tree blocks sidewalk along Avenue B in Tompkins Square Park

Photos by Stacie Joy 

We received several reader reports of an uprooted tree yesterday in Tompkins Square Park (h/t Steven), along the Avenue B fence between Eighth Street and Ninth Street. 

There were no reports of injuries. 

As of this afternoon, the downed tree was still blocking the sidewalk along Avenue B.

Scenes from tonight’s 34th annual Tompkins Square Park tree lighting

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy 

The 34th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park took place tonight, continuing one of the East Village's enduring December traditions. 

This year's event, held from 4–5 p.m., was once again sponsored by C&B Cafe and featured the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City, who filled the park with seasonal favorites. Veselka provided refreshments, helping keep things warm as neighbors gathered around the tree. 

An enduring staple of December in the neighborhood — and a reminder that some East Village traditions are still going strong...

... And some more scenes...

Sunday's opening shot

Tompkins Square Park in the light snowfall this morning (accumulation anywhere from 2-5 inches in the NYC area) ... the snow is expected to taper off by noon, with the sun eventually making an appearance... perhaps some of the snow will stick around for the tree lighting here today from 4-5 p.m.

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by Derek Berg 

Caroling in Tompkins Square Park today...

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

The 34th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is scheduled for next Sunday, Dec. 14, from 4-5 p.m. 

Ahead of that, Parks workers were putting lights on our delightfully askew tree this afternoon

Instagram post of the day

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A post shared by Steve Birnbaum (@thebandwashere)

Tuesday's opening shot

There's apparently an issue with the thermostat in the new sauna in Tompkins Square Park...

OK, they were just power-washing some graffiti off the outside of the men's room. 

Meanwhile, there's a lousy weather forecast for today (Dec. 2). Per Accuweather: "Drenching rain; some snow can mix in early; heavy rain can cause localized flooding and slow travel." 

The sun returns tomorrow...

When is the tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park this year?

The question we've been asked about now that Thanksgiving is over: the 34th annual tree lighting in Tompkins Square Park is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 14, from 4-5 p.m. 

The event this year is once again sponsored by C&B Cafe and features the Carolers of Olde New York from Theater for the New City, along with refreshments from Veselka ... an enduring staple of December in the neighborhood.

Thanksgiving day view of Tompkins Square Park

Photo by Stacie Joy

Friday's opening shot

Along the Ninth Street pathway in Tompkins Square Park this morning... enjoying the foliage while we still have it. 

And if you don't like foliage, then move back to...

Friday's opening shot

A pre-8 a.m. view of Tompkins Square Park today. 

On this Friday, expect some sun before the clouds arrive. High of 60. 

AccuWeather says tomorrow will be the "best day of the weekend" with a drizzle-rain combo expected Sunday, making that the best time slot not to tell anyone you're going to see "Predator: Badlands."

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

A post-storm scene in Tompkins Square Park late this afternoon (the Halloween stuff was there before; it did NOT blow in with the wind).

Sunday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy 

Ceremonial burning of some DJT toilet paper in Tompkins Square Park late this afternoon...

Free compost giveaway in Tompkins Square Park this Sunday

The LES Ecology Center is celebrating Tompkins Square Park with a free compost giveaway on Sunday. 

Per the invite: Stop by to bag your own finished compost and learn how it's used to help steward the park. 

The Center will provide the compost, shovels and wheelbarrows (sounds like the start of a horror film) ... just bring your own containers or a cart to take home as much as you'd like. 

Enter the park through the Seventh Street entrance between Avenue A and Avenue B and follow the signs to the compost pile. 

Registration is recommended here. The event runs until 1 p.m. — or until the compost pile is gone.