Celebrate your favorite winter holiday Washington Square two evenings in December when The Washington Square Association offers two chances to sing yuletide carols in downtown’s historic park.  The Association also provides the annual 45-foot Christmas tree under the Arch that will be lit for the season between the hours of 4 pm and 1 am.  The tree, from Vermont, is scheduled to arrive in Washington Square on Monday, December 1 at 4 am.  Washington Square Park Arch is located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, one block south of Eighth Street.  Public information number is: 212-252-3621. http://www.washingtonsquarenyc.org

On Wednesday, December 10 at 6 pm, the Rob Susman Brass Quartet and children and grown-ups alike will sing holiday songs.  The sparkling 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, Wednesday, 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, song leader and the revelers from all over the city will lustily sing out the familiar tunes.  The words are in the songbooks distributed compliments of the Washington Square Association, but many will know them by heart.  “Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men” will ring out to remind us all of the true meaning of the holidays. 

The Washington Square Association, Inc. founded in 1906, is one of the city’s oldest community organizations.  For 90 years, it has sponsored carol singing under the arch.  Other activities concern the continued improvement of Washington Square, the Washington Square Music Festival, and the fostering of neighborhood spirit.