INITIATIVES
Christmas and Park Support

Christmas Tree, Lights & Caroling

For more than 83 years the Washington Square Association has raised holiday spirits by providing a Christmas tree, holiday lighting and music for the whole community to enjoy.

Membership to The Washington Square Association or donations to Friends of Washington Square Park support this traditional initiative. 

The Christmas tree under the Arch will be lit for the season between the hours of 4 pm and 1 am.  It is located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, one block south of Eighth Street. Public information number: 212-252-3621.

 

Thursday, December 10 at 6 pm, song leader Mary Hurlbut, the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and children and grown-ups alike will sing holiday songs.  The multi-colored lights on the resplendent tree will be turned on to mark the beginning of festive winter evenings.  Santa Claus himself has promised to appear and lead the children in the illumination countdown.  The Washington Square Association provides complimentary songbooks.   

Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 at 5 pm is the traditional time to celebrate the holiday with carols at the Washington Square Arch.  The Rob Susman Brass Quartet, and revelers from all over the city will lustily sing out the familiar tunes.  Though words are in the songbooks distributed compliments of the Washington Square Association, many will know them by heart.  “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men” will remind us of the true meaning of the holidays. 

 

Park Support and Clean-Ups

Through Friends of Washington Square Park, the Association helps to fund summer maintenance of the Parks' comfort stations and provides small grants for various other clean-ups and park improvement projects sponsored by a variety of other neighborhood-serving organizations.

 

Adopt a Bench

The Parks Department Adopt a Bench Program is endorsed by the Washington Square Association.  You can honor a loved one, commemorate an occasion and support your park.  Adopting a park bench is a way to claim a piece of the park as your own.  For more information contact the New York City Parks Department at 212--408-0297.