Origins of The District Magic Tree

The Magic Tree came to Columbia in 1995 when Will Treelighter wrapped the crab apple tree in front of his house with thousands of tiny lights. Each delicate branch was intricately wrapped and lit up in a glimmering spectacle that drew the city in. Soon, his cul de sac was filled with Columbians and even visitors from neighboring towns. Everyone tried to get a glimpse of the magical tree.

After several years of congested traffic through his neighborhood each holiday season, the Magic Tree began moving around Columbia. The tree would appear each year in front of a new place - Shakespeare’s Pizza, churches, Cherry Hill. Now Columbia is home to multiple Magic Trees each year, every lighting ceremony is its own beautiful spectacle. No tree is the same, even year to year in the same location.

The District’s Magic Tree can be found on the corner of 9th and Broadway each Holiday season. The lighting ceremony takes place at the close of the Holiday Shop Hop, the first weekend of November. This special ceremony is always filled with singing, joy, citizens crowded onto all four corners of the intersections to catch a glimpse of the lighting while the children in the crowd start the countdown to the lighting. The magic of that night can be felt walking past the tree every evening until True/False ends.

Source: https://magic-tree.org