Decades of Peekskill Tradition Continues with Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

By Dave Mueller

November 29, 2023

Peekskill Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony 2017. Photo courtesy of Ocean Morisset

Annual City of Peekskill traditions are more than sentimental, they represent the best of Peekskill. They represent what we hold dear to us and things that we remember when we get old and gray. They are the things that make us smile when we think about our childhood and what the City of Peekskill has to offer. When we, as Peekskillians, think about Christmas in Peekskill, we think about the annual Peekskill Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Peekskill at the corner of Park and Division Street at the gazebo. Traditions are important and this year is no different.

This Saturday, December 2, 2023, beginning at 4:00 pm, the annual Peekskill Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place in downtown Peekskill at the gazebo. Hosted by Kacey Morabito from the “Mike and Kacey” show on WHUD, there will be plenty of singing, caroling and holiday cheer with the sounds of Doug Ferony, the Peekskill City Singers, Bria the Artist, Amy Reyes, Just The Place Dancers, the Wiz Kids, the Kiley Center S.T.A.R.S. Dance Troupe, and a very special guest appearance by the one and only, Santa Claus! Join the tradition and make memories that will last a lifetime. There will be also be a City of Peekskill 15 Days of Light – 2nd Annual Hanukkah/Kwanzaa Candle Lighting Celebration at the Gazebo on Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 5:30-7:30pm

Peekskill Tree Lighting at Park Circle, December 1, 1962 – 61 years ago. Caroling by PHS Chorus directed by Vince Corozine Photo credit: Frank Goderre, The Peekskill Museum

The Peekskill Christmas Tree & Lighting Ceremony is sponsored by the City of Peekskill, the Peekskill Business Improvement District and the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce. Don’t forget to enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants downtown and shop many of Peekskill’s small businesses for unique one-of-a-kind pieces of craftwork and artistry.

Please remember November is our big annual fundraising campaign at the Peekskill Herald – where every dollar we raise is matched, dollar for dollar, by major national funders through our partnership with NewsMatch. Every dollar counts and helps keep this 501c3 organization thriving.

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About the Contributor

Dave Mueller

As a Peekskill native, Dave is thrilled to be working with the Peekskill Herald showcasing featured calendar events. A 1999 graduate of PHS, he remembers reading and enjoying the original weekly print edition of the Peekskill Herald every Thursday. He especially liked the political stories, local features and sports coverage when it was written by Peekskill Runner columnist Jack Burns who always managed to weave history into the running times. An avid hiker, he enjoys exploring the local trails as well as the concrete ones in his job as a conductor for Metro North Railroad. He’s a former teacher and co-founder of the Friends of the Peekskill Dog Park, where he frequently can be found with his Koda. He’s happy to be part of the Herald’s growth as the source of local news for Peekskill and looks forward to highlighting a few of many of the events and happenings in Peekskill and the surrounding communities. Reach Dave at [email protected]