Trafalgar Square Christmas tree facts for kids
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is a special Christmas tree given to the people of Britain by Norway every year since 1947. This famous tree stands tall in Trafalgar Square in London. You can see it there from early December until January 6th. It's a wonderful symbol of friendship between the two countries.
A Gift of Friendship
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is an annual gift from Norway. It's a way for Norway to say "thank you" to Britain for helping them during the Second World War.
The very first tree was cut down in 1942 during the war. It was found on a Norwegian island called Hisøy. This island is on Norway's west coast. After being cut, the tree was sent to England. It was given as a gift to the Norwegian King, who was living in England at the time because of the war. You can visit Hisøy Island today, but only by boat. A new tree has grown from the stump of that original tree.
This special tree is the main focus for many traditional Christmas carol singing events in Trafalgar Square. Different groups sing carols there to raise money for charities and other helpful organizations.
The tree stays up until just before the Twelfth Night of Christmas. This is usually around January 6th. After that, it is taken down and recycled. The wood is chipped into small pieces and turned into mulch. This mulch helps plants grow in gardens.
About the Tree
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is usually a Norway Spruce. This type of tree is often 50 to 60 years old and more than 20 metres (about 65 feet) tall.
The tree is cut down in Norway in November. Important people attend this ceremony. These include the British Ambassador to Norway, the Mayor of Oslo, and the Lord Mayor of Westminster. After it's cut, the tree travels by boat across the North Sea to the UK. A special company then transports, guards, and sets up the tree in Trafalgar Square.
The Trafalgar Square tree is decorated in a traditional Norwegian way. It has 500 white lights. These lights are special low-energy halogen bulbs.
At the bottom of the tree, there is a plaque. It says:
This tree is given by the city of Oslo as a token of Norwegian gratitude to the people of London for their assistance during the years 1940-45.
A tree has been given annually since 1947.
Lighting Ceremony and Carol Singing
The tree lighting ceremony in Trafalgar Square happens on the first Thursday in December. Thousands of people come to watch. The Lord Mayor of Westminster leads the ceremony. There is a band and a choir. Then, the Christmas lights on the tree are switched on!
The tree is a popular spot for Christmas carolling groups. For many people in London, seeing the tree and hearing the carols means that Christmas is getting very close.
Since 2009, the Poetry Society has asked poets to write new poems each year. These poems are displayed on banners around the base of the tree. In 2010, schoolchildren even performed one of these poems at the lighting ceremony.
