Holidays in Lincoln Square

Celebrate the Holidays in Lincoln Square and experience the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District's Magical Lights - nightly light and sound shows - and join the WinteRamble - an illuminated neighborhood procession with the iconic Frost Giant Puppets from Processional Arts Workshop.

Holidays in Lincoln Square begins with the Magical Lights Ceremony as we turn on the lights and enjoy live music and family fun on Thursday, December 4 at Dante Park. Holidays in Lincoln Square continues with the BID’s WinteRamble—an illuminated neighborhood procession led by Processional Arts Workshop on Wednesday, December 17. Make a mini-lantern, carry a lantern, or just walk with us on the sidewalks and be a part of our neighborhood’s holiday tradition.

Whether enjoying iconic performances at Lincoln Center, bringing the kids to the Big Apple Circus, dining out, or shopping for the latest styles, stroll up Broadway after the nightly Star Show at The Shops at Columbus Circle to enjoy the enhanced holiday lighting across the BID’s ten Broadway Malls. You will be dazzled by our nightly light and sound shows at Dante and Richard Tucker Parks as they change color and respond to singing, clapping, music, and even the NYC soundscape. The Fabulous Fezziwigs will be caroling throughout the neighborhood. There’s more to enjoy in Lincoln Square, so be sure to visit as the whole neighborhood comes alive for the holidays with special events, activities, and entertainment!

Magical Lights Ceremony

Thursday, December 4, 4:30PM

Dante Park (Broadway & 64th Street)

We turn on the dazzling lights and kick off the holiday season on Thursday, December 4, at 4:30pm with WABC-TV. The fun begins with a showcase of classic circus acts with a holiday flair as Princess Schneeflocken, stilt walkers, and other entertainers join us in Lincoln Square for this heartwarming neighborhood tradition.

Kaufman Music Center's Special Music School Chorus will add to the holiday cheer with a free performance. The concert choir features high school vocal students from Kaufman’s K-12 public school that provides students with an intensive music education program with fully-funded lessons, music classes and ensembles along with academics. The choristers have collaborated with many acclaimed artists including the celebrated British ensemble VOCES8 and composers Caroline Shaw and Lisa Bielawa.

The festivities continue with dancing under the twinkling lights to live music by The Saints of Swing—an extraordinary collective of some of the tri-state area's finest performers specializing in eclectic selections of foot-tapping swing classics. This ultimate party band is big-time fun and will feature Jim Mola and Kati Mac on vocals, Grisha Alexiev on drums, Tim Ouimette on trumpet, Ken Foy on trombone, Dale DeMarco on saxophone, and Lew Scott on bass.

Witness the magic for yourself as sound and light become one with a sensory experience in Dante Park at Broadway and West 64th Street!

WinteRamble

Wednesday, December 17, 5:00PM

Along the Sidewalks of Lincoln Square

The Lincoln Square BID will celebrate the upcoming winter solstice at the fourth annual WinteRamble—an illuminated neighborhood procession of Frost Giant puppets and icicle lanterns led by Processional Arts Workshop. The procession starts at 5:00pm in front of 1886 Broadway (between 62nd Street and 63rd Street) and meanders through the Lincoln Square neighborhood to the ethereal sounds of J.C. King’s Kalimbascope (a rolling ensemble of acoustically-enhanced thumb pianos) until 6:00pm. Residents, neighbors, and visitors can join the procession from anywhere along the route.

Sign up to make a mini-lantern at our free workshop at TD Bank (Broadway and 62nd Street) starting at 3:00pm, carry an icicle lantern, join the Kalimbascope, or walk along with the group. Everyone is welcome to take part in this family-friendly event!

You can see fabulous photos from the WinteRamble on our Flickr.

Light and Sound Shows

Nightly

Dante Park (Broadway and 64th Street)
Richard Tucker Park (Broadway and 65th Street)

Join the excitement by visiting Lincoln Square BID’s Magical Lights in Dante and Richard Tucker Parks with nightly light and sound shows featuring audio-reactive lighting by Limbic Media. The interactive, immersive experience features hundreds of spectacular lights suspended from the branches of the London Plane trees surrounding the two parks and twinkle to the rhythm of a beat.

The Magical Lights at Dante Park also dance along to festive recordings from two of Lincoln Center’s iconic performing arts institutions: Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Metropolitan Opera. These nightly light and sound shows begin at 4:30pm.

Clap, sing along, or simply watch and enjoy the Magical Lights reacting to NYC’s soundscape and lively tunes throughout the winter. This dazzling display will lift spirits and bring even more warmth, color, and holiday magic to Lincoln Square!

Follow the Fabulous Fezziwigs

Follow the Fabulous Fezziwigs as they spread holiday cheer throughout Lincoln Square! These magnificent carolers will sing their way through the neighborhood on December 5, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 18. Follow @LincolnSquareNY on Instagram for meeting locations and times!

The Fabulous Fezziwigs carolers reflect the festive spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, hosts of the annual Christmas party that compelled even Ebenezer Scrooge to put down his work and celebrate in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Bedecked in gorgeous Victorian period attire, The Fabulous Fezziwigs have an uncanny ability to lift the spirits of diverse groups of people by bringing them together in carols of the season, from time-honored classics to contemporary favorites.

Join the Lincoln Square BID in Supporting the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center

During these challenging times, join us this holiday season by supporting our longtime local partners, the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center and Goddard Riverside. Together, we can help our neighbors access the resources and services they need.

Make a Donation