The Lighting of the Merry Maple
Annual Lighting of the Merry Maple
Friday, December 5th, 2025
3 - 6 PM
Amherst North Common
Join the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the Amherst Business Improvement District, and the Town of Amherst for a magical kickoff to the winter season! Downtown Amherst transforms into a festive winter wonderland for the Annual Lighting of the Merry Maple, co-presented by bankESB and Amherst College.
Join us for an evening of live performances, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, and the much-anticipated Lighting of the Merry Maple!
Co-Presented By:
Schedule of Events
🚒 3–6 PM: Amherst Fire Department Open House
✂️ 3–5 PM: Crafts and games with Amherst Recreation, including sensory-friendly activities
📚 3–5 PM: Crafts with the Jones Library; Storytime at 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM in Town Hall (1st Floor Meeting Room)
🐴 4 PM On: Horse-drawn carriage rides with Muddy Brook Farm (pauses during the Marching Band performance)
♫ 4 PM: Caroling downtown by the UMass Treble Choir and the Amherst College Zumbyes
🎶 4:30 PM: Amherst Regional Middle School Chorus performance on the steps of Town Hall
🌟 5:00 PM: Official Merry Maple Tree Lighting Countdown on the steps of Town Hall
🌈 5:10 PM: Amherst Community Theater performance on the steps of Town Hall
🎅⛄ 5:30 PM: Santa and Flakey the Snowfriend arrive by Fire Truck
🎺 5:30–6 PM: UMass Minuteman Marching Band performance on the Common
Thank You To Our Sponsors and Partners!
