QUINCY – The Christmas and holiday season begins in President City on Friday, Nov. 24, before Thanksgiving leftovers are affected. Here’s a guide to tree lightings, concerts, fairs, skates, and more happening across the city in the coming weeks.
In case of inclement weather, check out Quincy’s social media accounts, especially Facebook.
Kilroy Square Holiday Market
For six days over two weekends (November 24-26 and December 1-3), Quincy Center’s Kilroy Square will host artisans, specialty shops, and craftspeople in large heated tents and glass-walled galleries. will gather. The market is open from 4pm to 9pm on Fridays and from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
In addition to more than 95 vendors, there will also be a beer garden sponsored by Widowmaker Brewing, hot and cold cocktails by Townsend Co., and a variety of food trucks.
Shoppers can pick up real Christmas trees and wreaths from Boy Scout Troop 42.
Best of all, Kris Kringle himself will be there to hear your Christmas wishes and fix your list on Sunday, November 26th from 1-4 p.m.
Santa arrives at pageant field by helicopter
At noon on Saturday, Nov. 25, Santa will land at the pageant field at 1 Marymount Parkway with a cadre of elves. Friendly costumed characters welcome the young and the young at heart before the cheerful characters arrive.
QATV will record the event and broadcast it later in the week. Visit qatv.org for schedule.
Hancock Adams General Tree Lighting
The day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov. 24, Quincy will hold its annual tree lighting ceremony on Hancock Adams Common from 5 to 7 p.m.
In addition to a spectacular light display, Victorian carolers will fill the Common with Old World cheerfulness as free hot chocolate and popcorn will be distributed to winter revelers.
Additionally, St. Paul’s Choir of Cambridge and the Quincy Catholic Academy Youth Choir will perform special performances.
At approximately 6:15 p.m., Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch and North Pole Mayor Nicholas S. Kraus will flip the ceremonial switch to officially begin the holiday season.
The tree lighting will also be recorded by QATV and will be aired at a later date.
Quincy Christmas Parade
To celebrate the 70th anniversary, floats, marching bands, costumed characters and featured vehicles will be lining Hancock Street from Hannon Parkway to North Quincy High School on Sunday, November 26th from noon to 3:30 p.m. It traverses 4.4 miles.
The theme for this year’s float contest, “Candy Cane Dreams,” was submitted by Quincy resident Mia Sorge and was selected from over 30 entries.
Quincy Tradition was founded in 1952 through the efforts of Rev. Thomas Tierney. According to a documentary produced by Quincy Access his television in 1991, Reverend Tierney was so active and enthusiastic about parades that he became known as the Parade Priest.
Pastor Tierney invited youth marching bands from surrounding cities and towns to perform in the parade. This is still an important element of the parade 70 years later.
The event will be broadcast live on QATV and can also be streamed online.
The parade is sponsored by the Quincy Christmas Festival Committee.
Generals Park Outdoor Ice Skating Rink Opens
On Dec. 1, a seasonal outdoor skating rink will open to the public at General’s Bridge and Park downtown.
Ice time is free and ice skates can be rented on site. The time is undecided.
The fully refrigerated 120-by-60-foot ice rink will be built and managed by Ice Rink Events, which operates the rink at New York City’s famous Bryant Park.
Generals Park Tree Lighting
The second Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. at Dunford Drive and McConville Way near Generals Bridge and Generals Park.
The ceremony will honor active duty and retired military personnel. Loved ones can place yellow ribbons on the tree with the names of family members and friends who have served or are currently serving in the military.
The tree lighting will be recorded by QATV and broadcast at a later date.
“Tis the Season” Holiday Pops Concert
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Quincy High School Choral Association, and John Adams Orchestra will present a concert at the Lloyd Hill Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the concert, presented by the Quincy School and Community Partnership and Mayor Koch, are $20. A package including a three-course dinner and VIP seating at the President’s Cafe inside the high school is available for $40.Dinner seating begins at 5 p.m.
Tickets can only be purchased at the Quincy Public Schools administration building located at 34 Coddington St. For more information, call 617-984-8731.
QATV will broadcast the concert live on television and stream it online.
Christmas gathering at nursery school
A ceremony, including prayers and Christmas carols, is scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the manger site in Hancock Cemetery, next to Old City Hall.
Lighting of the first Hanukkah candle
On Dec. 7, the first night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Alfred Benjamin of Congregation Beth Shalom of Blue Hills in Milton lights the first candle in the menorah.
Rabbi Benjamin will tell the story of Hanukkah and lead attendees in traditional Hanukkah songs.
Neighborhood tree lighting festival
In addition to the downtown tree lightings at Hancock Adams Common and General’s Bridge and Park, the following neighborhoods will also have their own ceremonies:
- Squantum: Sunday, Nov. 26, 4:30 p.m., at the island where East Squantum Street, Huckins Avenue and Newland Street meet.
- Wollaston: Friday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at Safford Park off Beale Street.
- Adams Shore: Held at Curlew Road roundabout on Saturday 2nd December from 4pm to 6pm.
- South Quincy: Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in front of Fort Square Presbyterian Church, 16 Pleasant St.
- Quincy Point: It will be held at the Fore River Rotary on Sunday, December 3rd from 4:30pm to 7pm.
- germantown: Thursday, December 7th at 6pm at the Rotary.