Click here to view the maps and layout of the event
Join us in Kaminski Park and Gardens at 4:30 as the celebration begins!
4:30 p.m. — Santa arrives from the North Pole!
Get in line early before it's time for Santa's reindeer to take flight.
6:00 p.m. — Candle-lighting ceremony
Gather around the Tree of Hope to light a candle in honor or memory of a loved one, before the tree lighting ceremony begins!
Candle-lighting ceremony is made possible by an inspirational fund established by the Alliance Foundation to remember former Roswell Park employee and patient David Berndt.
6:10 p.m. — Tree of Hope lighting and light show
75,000 lights dancing to music sponsored by Ferguson Electric.
Stop inside the main lobby for more festivities!
Gingerbread House Raffle
Take a look at the dozens of gingerbread houses created by Roswell Park employees!
Tickets are $5 for one sheet, and $10 for three sheets. Ticket sales will close at 6 p.m. for winners to be chosen. Winning numbers will be posted in the lobby and on RoswellPark.org/TreeofHope.
*Winning ticket holders are asked to pick up their gingerbread house at the end of the event. Anyone not present or unable to transport their house will be contacted by phone to arrange pick up.
Visit the gift shop!
The Roswell Park Gift Shop will be open until 7 p.m. for you to browse and shop! All proceeds support programs designed for our patients.
Activities and entertainment during the night include:
- Face painting
- Letters to Santa and holiday crafts
- Reindeer games
- Horse-drawn carriage rides
- Depart from front circle. One ride per guest, please.
- Photos with Santa
- A visit from Santa's reindeer
- Buster Bison, Sabretooth and Rax will be in attendance!
- Refreshments and treats provided by:
- SPoT Coffee. Paula’s Donuts, Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets, Outback Kettle Korn
- Music by The Doyle Brothers with Violena
- Darlene Ceglia’s Dance Project
First Aid is available at the main entrance to Kaminski Park, near the hospital Valet Circle.
David Berndt Inspirational Fund at Roswell Park
One of David’s favorite events at Roswell was the Tree of Hope, both for the festivities of the Holidays but also for the symbol of hope for cancer patients that the tree lighting represented. In an effort to keep David’s memory alive in a meaningful way the employees at Roswell have established the David Berndt inspirational fund within the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. Donations received in David’s memory will be earmarked to this special donation account in his name.
It is planned that each year going forward the candle lighting ceremony at the Tree of Hope which features a moment of silence for those lost to cancer and prayers for those on a cancer journey, will be sponsored by the David Berndt inspirational fund as indicated on the candle holders. A meaningful symbol of a hope for a future without cancer. Please follow the link below if you would like to make a donation in memory of David to this inspirational fund.
Indoor and outdoor maps
Thank you to our vendors and supporters for making the Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony possible!
- West Herr Automotive Group
- Ferguson Electric, Inc.
- WGRZ Channel 2 News
- ADMAR Construction Equipment & Supplies
- Advance Production Group
- Buffalo Fire Department
- Buffalo Police
- Buster Bison, from the Buffalo Bisons
- Clark Rigging
- City of Buffalo
- Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast
- Darlene Ceglia’s Dance Project
- The Doyle Brothers with Violena
- Erie County Sheriff’s Office
- Industrial Power & Lighting Corporation
- Irish Companies
- First Presbyterian Church of Tonawanda, Tree Donor
- New York State Police
- NFTA Police
- Paula’s Donuts
- R.B. U’Ren Equipment Inc.
- Roswell Park Gift Shop
- Roswell Park Volunteer Services
- Sabretooth, from the Buffalo Sabres
- Santa Claus
- SPoT Coffee
Tree of Hope is presented by
Light Show Sponsor