PHOTOS: Thousands Turn Out for Holiday Show and Tree Lighting on Common

The Boston Common's tree was lit following a holiday show in the park.

Thousands of people showed up Thurday evening to watch dancing and muscial performaces at the 71st Annual Official Tree Lighting on Boston Common. The 45-foot white spruce was donated by Paul and Jan Hicks of Jordan Bay, Nova Scotia. This is the 41st year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. Within 24 hours of the disaster a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia.  In addition this year, Nova Scotia is donating smaller trees to two Boston charities, the Pine Street Inn and Rosie’s Place, both in the South End.     The holiday show preceding the lighting …

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Photo Gallery: BCA Tree Lighting

Images from the 2011 Macy's Enchanted Trolley Tour and Tree Lighting Saturday outside the Boston Center for the Arts.

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Five Things

Five Things: Tree Lighting at BCA Saturday

Enjoy a festive Saturday afternoon with the family.

Today is Friday, Dec. 2. Here are five things you need to know today: 1. It’s expected to be a sunny but chilly weekend. Daytime highs are 51, 45 and 53 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively, and temperatures are expected to drop below freezing overnight on Friday and Saturday. 2. 2011 Macy’s Enchanted Trolley Tour and Tree Lighting from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza: Bring the family to this holiday event, which will have entertainment, refreshments and activities for children. Mayor Thomas M. Menino will be on hand, as will a special guest from the North Pole (at 4:15 p.m.). 3. Enter the Guinness Book? Join Keith Lockhart and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, as well as thousands of other …

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