The 125th Street Business Improvement District will kick off the holiday season with the 30th anniversary of Harlem Holiday Lights, a free public event on Tuesday, 11/14 featuring New York City’s only parade of lights.
The parade integrates local businesses and community members, welcoming New Yorkers and visitors from all over the globe to experience the vibrancy, culture and sounds of Harlem. Featuring 15 magically lighted up floats, the parade will assemble at 125th Street and Broadway, traveling throughout the neighborhood. Five new singing trees are also lighting up the corridor with unique lighting color spectacles and patterns paying tribute to different musical genres celebrating the diverse sounds of Harlem, from Jazz and Hip Hop to Old School, R&B, and Classical. The trees will also allow visitors to sing and support nearby local businesses even beyond the holidays through the “Shine On Harlem Challenge” as the trees remain active through March 2024. Visitors can use the Vibemap to navigate the sights, sounds and nearby sales of 125th St., share their vibe, highlight their favorite shops and more.
The theme for this year’s Harlem Holiday Lights focuses on “Celebrating Our Youth,” featuring two special Grand Marshals including Stephanie Pacheco, NYS Youth Poet Laureate, as well as Grand Marshal Dr. Lena Green, DSW, LCSW, CLC, Executive Director of HOPE Center Harlem. NYC Dept. of Small Business Services Commissioner Kevin Kim will also serve as an honorary Grand Marshal.
