Chicopee lights up its 13-foot Christmas tree and celebrate Chicopee sign in 2024.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
With Thanksgiving in the past, Chicopee, Holyoke and South Hadley are now preparing for their respective tree lighting ceremonies and holiday celebrations.
Chicopee
Chicopee will host its annual Christmas tree lighting celebration on Dec. 5 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at The Hub at Market Square, 31 Springfield St.
The city is advertising a night filled with holiday joy and cheer. The free event is open to all ages and is set to feature holiday music, festive treats and musical entertainment.
Guests are invited to see Santa arrive on a Chicopee Fire Department engine and help ignite the city’s tree, along with three brand new light displays.
Chicopee’s Facilities Department said they are excited to once again showcase the bright star atop the tree, which was made by the facilities staff.
Photo opportunities will be available with Santa, as well as cocoa, goodie bags and more inside The Hub at Market Square.
Holyoke
Holyoke’s annual Christmas tree lighting and Parade of Lights will occur on Dec. 6 at City Hall, 536 Dwight St.
The observance will begin at 3 p.m. with free, unlimited carousel rides on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, photo opportunities with Christmas characters and a visit by the balloon artists at Dazzleday.
At 5 p.m., the action moves inside City Hall for hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn. The Holyoke High School Bell Choir will perform, followed by a performance by the school’s Madrigal Choir.
At 6 p.m., Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia will greet the children and families on the City Hall lawn, and a crew from PeoplesBank will light up the Christmas tree to signal the start of the annual Parade of Lights.
Garcia talked about the holiday decorations in Holyoke and thanked those who make the city look so festive for the holiday season.
“Big thanks to our friends at PeoplesBank for sponsoring the tree and to Curran Construction for the delivery of the tree to City Hall green of Curran Plaza,” Garcia said. “And a shoutout to Holyoke’s DPW for decorating the tree and the lampposts along High Street to make downtown look festive for the holiday season. And I thank our Parks and Recreation Department for coordinating this family-friendly tradition.”
South Hadley
South Hadley and Granby Chamber of Commerce are partnering for the 37th annual holiday stroll on Dec. 5 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the South Hadley Village Commons, 17 College St.
The free event will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus; face painting, puppetry creations, holiday entertainment, hot cocoa, a holiday short movie at Tower Theaters and a bike raffle.
Holiday Stroll begins at 5 p.m. with face painting and hot cocoa for the kids; puppet crafting, activities and holiday treats. The raffle also kicks off at that time.
There will be free face painting and hot cocoa for kids at Thirsty Mind from 5-7:30 p.m., free puppetry crafting courtesy of Home Slice Puppetry, and music and entertainment under the gazebo from Berkshire Hills Music Academy.
The holiday parade with Santa will begin at 5:45 p.m. According to the town, the District No. 2 Fire Department will escort the parade and be accompanied by thea South Hadley Marching Band.
Santa will arrive at the tree lighting celebration at 6 p.m., and guests will have the opportunity to take photos with him until 7:30 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., Tower Theaters will present a discounted movie pass of $6.75 for a showing of “Zootopia 2.” Doors will open at 7:15 p.m.
There will also be free holiday treats and activities located at tables and tents on the commons from the Local Business Community.
Visitors can stop by the South Hadley Chamber of Commerce information tent located in front of the gazebo to participate in raffle drawings.
For the first time this year, Madd Eats Food Truck will be on sight with a complete menu to purchase.
