The Capitol Hill Business Improvement District (BID) will host the 15th Annual Capitol Hill Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov.20, at 5:30 p.m. in the Southwest Quadrant of Eastern Market Metro Plaza on the corner of Seventh and D Streets SE (near Eastern Market Metro Station).
All are invited to join in this Holiday Hill Tradition, which is festive and free.
Friends, family and neighbors will gather as members of the Didden family flip the switch to illuminate the tree. They will light the original magnificent 30-foot original Cedrus Deodara that was planted in spring of 2007 to honor the late George Didden III for his many contributions to Capitol Hill.
That tree, known to many as “Little George”, continues to be lit as a part of this beloved holiday tradition that had been held at a nearby tree years prior. (“Big George,” planted in fall 2017 on the plaza near the current site of the playground, was unfortunately deemed unsustainable in late 2019.)
The BID’s Clean Team, affectionately known as the “men in blue,” will serve hot chocolate, coffee and doughnuts as local musical groups Washington Youth Choir, Joyous Voices, Adalia Jimenez and Capitol Hill Arts Workshop’s (CHAW) Suzuki Strings perform traditional holiday carols.
The tree lighting was undertaken in 2020. Despite both the pandemic and construction on the plaza near the Eastern Market Metro Station, where Little George is located, An artificial tree stood as proxy for the Didden Cedar tree last season. The Capitol Hill BID recorded a video tree-lighting as a surprised and delighted crowd watched from the nearby newly-built Eastern Market Metro Playground.
The BID said that each year, they are focused on creating an even more memorable experience for attendees by providing enhanced sound, staging and lighting in order to elevate the holiday program experience.
“This year is extra special as we get a chance to safely have the community come together and enjoy this neighborhood tradition in person,” said Patty Brosmer, President. “We look forward to celebrating the start of the holiday season while honoring the BID’s founding Chairman, George Didden III.”
The Capitol Hill Menorah will stand next to the Hill Holiday Tree after the former is lit Nov. 29 at the Church of the Reformation, home of Hill Havurah. The public is invited to attend that event as well!
Learn more about the Holiday Tree Lighting and the Capitol Hill BID at https://capitolhillbid.org/things-to-do/bid-events
