Maya McFadden Photos
The city’s annual tree-lighting on the New Haven Green brought “the holiday spirit back” one colorful bulb at a time.
The light celebration brought together hundreds of New Haveners after sundown Thursday to celebrate the holiday season with fake snow, a Santa sleigh ride, and seasonal shopping at local small businesses.
The event was sponsored and hosted by WTNH News 8, which brought the holiday spirit to the Green with several musical performances, a petting zoo, and vaccination clinic all within feet from each other.
Jacqueline Taylor, Journey Goforth, Sierra Edwards, Jeremiah Taylor, Jeffery Taylor, and Bryce Rose pose with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
After a 15-minute wait in line, New Haven native Jacqueline Taylor took a photo with her family in Santa’s sleigh with Mrs. Claus.
Taylor was able to continue her yearly tradition of bringing her family to the tree-lighting celebration. She was joined by her son, brother, nieces, and nephews.
During photo breaks Santa made rounds through the Thursday crowd to see who’s been naughty or nice.
More than a dozen pop-up kiosks illuminated at the middle of the Green for a holiday village. Sixteen local small businesses set up shop in each of the kiosks to peddle holiday gifts like jewelry, board games, and handmade pottery, and evening snacks.
Under a Health Department tent, 8‑year-old Molly Law sat nervously in a chair sifting through a bin of small toys and bracelets. Her mom, Robyn Valente, and dog Chico sat by her side during filling out of forms for her first Pfizer vaccine dose.
After deciding on the perfect toy, a red squishy to add to her collection, Molly rolled up her left arm sleeve and held her mom’s hand tight. To settle the nerves, she watched an hourglass-shaped bubbler toy as the nurse gave her the shot.
Robyn Valente, Molly Law, and Chico.
After watching all of her family get vaccinated, Molly said, she decided herself that she wanted to get vaccinated when eligible. “It was easy. It was better than the flu shot,” she said.
Once fully vaccinated, Law said, she hopes to go to a concert of her favorite rock band, Twiddle.
Without hesitation, twins Morgan and Curon, 5, reached their hands out to pet the scruffy but soft fur of a donkey at the celebration’s petting zoo.
Their mom, Deanna, said coming to the annual treelighting is a tradition for her family. “We really look forward to this, because there’s always something new each time,” she said.
Morris Trent and Lisa Kellman perform live.
Singer Lisa Kellman sang a rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” alongside bassist Morris Trent as hundreds waited for the tree to be lit.
Additional music performances of “Let It Snow” and “Jingle Bells” were offered by the Alliance Children’s Theatre choir and Clifford Sloss Quintet.
A neverending line waited for Whalley Avenue’s Many Donuts shop, which served fresh mini-donuts throughout the night.
City staff gave thanks to the Strickland family (at right) from Cheshire, which donated this year’s tree to New Haven straight from their front lawn.
Watch the treelighting here.
Be brave, Maya McFadden! It's called a Christmas tree and the holiday is called Christmas. Merry Christmas to you!!! And a Happy New Year!