PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Visit Philadelphia and partners welcomed a 50-foot white fir to City Hall, where officials promised new features will make this year’s holiday tree truly shine.
The 55-year-old abie concolor was delivered from Yule Tree Farms in Hornell, New York.
“The City of Philadelphia holiday tree, after eight years, is getting a complete and total refresh,” said Michael DelBene, president and CEO of Welcome America. “The tree itself this year will feature over 6,000 LED pure white lights.
“The base, for the first time ever, will be covered in silver glitter featuring the words ‘love’ and ‘joy’ in multiple different languages.”
The fir will also don a brand-new custom tree topper and light switch.
The tree is now getting pruned and decorated ahead of the annual tree lighting ceremony, which will be held on Dec. 5 at 7:15 p.m.
Angela Val, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, said the season offers plenty of family-friendly events.
“Of course, there is the shopping that happens. You get a little taste here at the Christmas Village but there are a lot of shops throughout the city,” she said.
There will be gourmet foods and artisan shopping around City Hall as well as a special tree lighting performance by R&B singer Keyshia Cole. DelBene also pointed out the new Selfless Selfie booth.
“Each time someone stops by and just takes a ‘Selfless Selfie,’ a child in Philadelphia will get a winter coat,” he said. The coat drive takes place from Dec. 5 to Jan. 1.