Hundreds of families, friends and holiday revelers packed into Clinton Square Friday night to see the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. The ceremony is always held the day after Thanksgiving. While snow didn’t arrive this year, the 30-degree temperature gave attendees a chilly night.

With Thanksgiving behind us the Christmas season is in full swing in Syracuse. To start off the holiday, the City of Syracuse will host its annual “Home for the Holidays” Tree-Lighting Ceremony in Clinton Square on Friday,

The City of Syracuse rang in the holiday season with the annual tree lighting ceremony in Clinton Square. Hundreds gathered downtown to get a glimpse of the beacon of cheer. The Crandall family squeezed into the crowd to carry on their five-year tradition.

Syracuse, N.Y. — The city of Syracuse will host its annual tree lighting on Friday. The event features music, ice skating and, of course, the lighting of the 42-foot tree. The event starts at 6 p.m. in Clinton Square with music by Sydney Irving, a local indie/pop rock artist, and then a performance by Trump Tight 315, a rhythm and blues, funk band.

Clinton Square tree lighting

With the flip of a candy cane switch, the Christmas holiday spirit is officially underway in Syracuse. Hundreds of families, friends and holiday revelers packed into Clinton Square Friday night to see the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree.