Boston’s Christmas tree arrives November 21

This year commemorates 100 years of friendship between Nova Scotia and the people of Boston after our city provided emergency assistance when Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital, was devastated by a wartime explosion in 1917.

Boston’s official 2017 Christmas tree is a 53-foot white spruce tree donated by Bob and Marion Campbell and family of Blues Mills in Inverness County on Cape Breton Island.  The gift will be celebrated with a public tree cutting ceremony at the Campbell’s property on November 15.  There will be a final public farewell at Halifax City Hall on November 17 before the tree begins its journey by truck to Boston. In addition, Nova Scotia is donating smaller trees to Rosie’s Place and the Pine Street Inn.

“It’s exciting to carry on this great tradition with this beautiful tree donated by the people of Nova Scotia,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh.  “We thank the entire Campbell family for sending this gift that will be displayed for all to see on Boston Common, serving as our city's official Christmas tree and bringing joy to thousands of residents and visitors.”

On November 21, the official 2017 Christmas tree will be escorted by the Boston Police Department beginning around 10 a.m. from Billerica via Route 3 South to Route 128 North to Interstate 93 South to Sullivan Square to Rutherford Avenue over the Charlestown bridge and will weave through downtown Boston on North Washington, New Chardon, Cambridge, Tremont, Boylston, and Charles Streets to enter Boston Common at the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets at approximately 11 a.m.

Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook, an official Nova Scotian town crier, Santa Claus, and local schoolchildren will greet the tree at its final destination near the Boston Visitors Center at 139 Tremont Street.  The tree will be lit at approximately 7:55 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, as the City of Boston’s Official Tree Lighting is celebrated on Boston Common from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The 76^th annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common is sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia, Jumbotron sponsor JetBlue, and presenting sponsor Distrigas/ENGIE with additional support provided by WCVB-TV Channel 5, Magic 106.7 FM, IKEA, The Christmas Tree Promotion Board, the Boston Herald, and the Boston Globe.  For further information, please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505 or visit us on Facebook.