Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square 2009

Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square

For Upper West Siders, the big kick-off to the holiday season has definitely become the spectacular Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square, now in its tenth year and currently the largest holiday festival in all of New York City. For families, foodies and anyone who enjoys tons of free entertainment and holiday good cheer, the sidewalks of Broadway from Columbus Circle and the Time Warner Center all the way up past Richard Tucker Square to 68th Street will be the place to be this Monday night.

Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square

The food- and family-fun festivities begin with the neighborhood tree lighting ceremony in Dante Park at 63rd Street, hosted by The View’s Joy Behar and featuring plenty of music and holiday singing. Then the party really begins, with a line-up of vibrant performances up and down the avenue that include the brassy Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas from the raved-about Broadway show Fela!, a lively Neil Young birthday tribute from the renowned jazz bassist Ben Allison; those fearless and hilarious jesters the Flaming Idiots, now playing at the New Victory Theater; the Alice Farley Dance company performing “surrealist street theater”; and the fabulous Harlem Samba Brazilian percussion ensemble, doing three sets in Richard Tucker Park.  

Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square

More than two dozen excellent local restaurants?A Voce, Magnolia Bakery, Ed’s Chowder House, Picholine, Bar Boulud, ‘wichcraft, Bouley Bakery, among many others?will have food stations set up on Broadway for passing out tastings portions of signature dishes or warming beverages, either for free or at a nominal cost, usually between one and five dollars. Adding to fun, the sidewalks will be alive with street musicians, marching bands, jugglers and stilt walkers, and choral groups. And, of course, there will be shopping, with special in-store discounts and holiday surprises at most stores along the route.  

Winter's Eve at Lincoln Square 

Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square 2009 details

Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square 2009 all happens on Monday, November 30, with the ceremonial lighting of the Balsam Fir at 5:30 p.m. at Dante Park, 63rd Street and Broadway. The party goes on until about 9:00 p.m. For a complete list of performances, food, and other festival fun, see the Winter’s Eve website, here.

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