ROCHESTER — Here, hold our beer – we’ve got a tree to light!

On Dec. 6, thousands of people will descend on Upstate New York to celebrate the annual tradition of lighting the Genesee Keg Tree.

Constructed of 520 empty beer kegs and 30,000 coloured lights, the off-beat tradition includes a countdown led by the brewer and, of course, a cold one (or two).

New York City has the New Year’s Eve ball drop. Rochester has the Genesee keg tree. https://t.co/nJ0G1iATdU #ROC – lighting is this Friday, Dec. 6 pic.twitter.com/IOjz2l2Mgf

— Mike Johansson (@mikejny) December 4, 2019

“We’re from Upstate New York! When others are sitting by the fireplace indoors, we’re standing around a keg tree drinking ice cold beer. That’s how we kick off the holidays here,” said Janine Schoos, brand director for Genesee.

t takes nearly a dozen Genesee Brewery workers to build the famous Genesee Keg Tree each December. This year’s tree stands 27 feet high and features a huge LED light board, a rotating neon Genesee sigh as its ‘star’, and a choreographed light show set to holiday music.

It stands on the bank of the High Falls gorge overlooking the largest urban waterfall in the U.S. It will remain there for all to admire through New Year’s Day.

Until then, enjoy rockin’ around the Christmas tree!