The free event will feature appearances by Mayor Walsh, NECN’s Jenny Johnson, Santa Claus, and Rudolph along with musical performances by the Boston Children’s Chorus, the Boston Pops Brass Quintet, and Berklee College of Music students Britani Washington and Sam Robbins.  

The Old South Church bell will toll when the tree is illuminated.  Light refreshments will be provided by local businesses New England Coffee, DAVIDsTEA, and HP Hood LLC. The Fairmont Copley Plaza will host a family reception immediately following for all in attendance.  The reception will include cookie decorating, photos with Santa, and treats from the Fairmont Copley Plaza.

Even more festivities will take place in and around Copley Square on November 27. The Boston Public Library and The Catered Affair will host a Storytime and Candy Cane Tea at the library from 3:30 - 5 p.m.  The tea is free but reservations are required by calling 617-859-2272. 

For additional information please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505.  To learn more about The Friends of Copley Square, please visit www.friendsofcopleysquare.org.

The 17th Annual Gospelfest will take place on Sunday, August 6, from 5 - 8 p.m. on City Hall Plaza. Gospelfest is New England’s largest Gospel music celebration.

The 17th Annual Gospelfest will feature:

• an opening performance by Donovan McLean, Jr. and The Kingdom Builders
• an opening performance by Margaret Holmes & the Gospel T’s
• an opening performance by the Mayor Walsh’s Community Gospel Choir, and
• a headlining performance by Anthony Brown & group therAPy.

Anthony Brown, a prodigy who began playing piano at age 3, reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts for his song, “It Ain’t Over.” His music career took off in 2012 with the release of his debut studio album, "Anthony Brown & group therAPy." He released his sophomore album, "Everyday Jesus," three years later in 2015. Brown, who is also the Assistant Minister of Music at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in his home state of Maryland, has had an undeniable and profound impact on the genre of gospel music.

Under the direction of Donovan McLean Jr., The Kingdom Builders released their debut project, "For Your Glory," in August 2015. Since then, they have performed at various venues, preaching about the transformative power of God through their music.

Margaret Holmes & The Gospel T’s, a family-based group from Boston, will also be performing. Siblings Treva, Timmealya, and Tyricky, along with grandmother Margaret Holmes have been singing together for sixteen years. The group recently released their EP, "Saved." Margaret Holmes has also been given an Award of Achievement on behalf of the City due to her “gracious heart and commitment to the City of Boston.”

Plus, for the second year in a row, the Mayor’s Community Gospel Choir will wow with their vocals. This sixteen-person group is organized by the Mayor’s Office’s own Edna Wilkie.

Canal Street is also part of the Boston Planning and Development Agency's North Station Area Mobility Plan, which in connection with the Boston Transportation Department will develop near-term, multimodal transportation improvements in the areas immediately adjacent to North Station.

As July 8th approaches, the Boston Transportation Department will issue an advisory regarding the Open Canal Street event. Visitors are encouraged to encouraged to utilize public transit the day of the event.

There is anxiety related to issues of race both locally and nationally. Help to ease some of that anxiety by building relationships with your fellow Bostonians. Join us on the Rose Kennedy Greenway to celebrate family, fun and culture in Boston. This is a family friendly event, packed with music, activities, games and much more!

All residents of Boston are invited, along with those from surrounding communities. This event is put together by:

• the Mayor's of Resilience and Racial Equity
• the National Center for Race Amity at Wheelock College, and
• the Hyams Foundation.

If you are interested in volunteering at the event please contact Dennisse Rorie at Dennisse.Rorie@boston.gov.