(12.3) The City will be kicking off the season this Friday, lighting both the City Hall tree and the skating rink tree, in an evening of music and skating. Once again, the ceremony will take place downtown, a return to form after last year’s virtual celebration. More info at the FB event page.
The event itself will kick off at Trinity Repertory Company, as community carolers sing their way down Washington Street towards Providence City Hall. At City Hall, WPRI’s Brendan Kirby will bring the holiday spirit as host before both trees become illuminated with holiday lights and decorations. Then, community singers will continue their caroling journey from City Hall to the Rink, where the Brown University Marching Band will take the ice, opening the star-studded ice-skating show featuring Nancy Kerrigan.
In addition to Olympic medalist Nancy Kerrigan, the 50-minute skating performance will include:
US Olympic Team Bronze Medalists Gracie Gold, Rhode Island’s very own Marissa Castelli, and National Champion Max Aaron. Also performing will be international and national competitors Sean Rabbitt, Heidi Munger, Jun Hong Chen, Effie Chen & Jack Liu, Patrick Blackwell, and the 2019 Nations’ Cup Silver Medalists Ocean State Ice Theatre, as well as local stars from BV Skating and Mount Saint Charles Academy.
The Providence Rink is open now with ice skating daily between the hours of 10am and 10pm, weather permitting. General admission for ice skating is $7 for adults, and $4 for seniors, children under 12, and active military and veterans. Ice skate rentals are $7 (tax included) per person.
Don’t forget, you get two hours of free parking at parking meters in all the usual commercial districts including downtown.
Tree lightings, 5pm, Friday, December 3, City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street, (directions)