Lighting up the Square: The Tradition of the Clinton Square Tree Lighting
- Heather McClelland
- Dec 30, 2025
- 2 min read
BY: HEATHER MCCLELLAND
ARCHIVED PHOTOS FROM SYRACUSE.COM
Let's take a trip back to 1852 on Christmas Eve when the first public tree was lit in Syracuse, NY. It wasn’t the type of tree lighting we know today in Clinton Square. It was a quiet, last-minute decision made by a few friends hanging out. While sitting by the woodstove in a boarding house barroom, located on North Salina Street, they decided to surprise the Amos children (a family that lived in the house) with the German tradition of decorating a Christmas tree. They set off and collected a tree in the forested area which we now know as James Street. The tree was decorated with paper, nuts, and apples, and once it was finished, they woke the Amos children Christmas Eve night to show them the surprise.
Fast forward to December 19th, 1913, and the first municipal tree in Syracuse was put on display in St. Mary’s Circle, now known as Columbus Circle. It was a donation made by SUNY ESF from one of their tree plantations. This tradition in St. Mary’s Circle lasted until 1932 and was then moved to Clinton Square, where it continues today.
The tree lightings have been a gathering point in our community now for 173 years, bringing children joy and laughter and putting smiles on the faces of adults. It brings us together with our neighbors, reminds us of the memories we had as children seeing a giant tree being lit up as we sipped on hot cocoa, and evokes the magic of this time of year as we all sing carols in unison. The tree lighting in Clinton Square now may not look the same as it did in 1913 — and it definitely doesn’t look the same as it did in 1852 — but we can all relate to the stories from those evenings. We all share the same joy the Amos family had on that Christmas Eve.
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