UPPER WEST SIDE — The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree won't be the only one to start twinkling Wednesday night.
Central Park's Tavern on the Green is hosting its own tree-lighting event Wednesday featuring free cider and hot chocolate, as well as a pop-up snack stand to benefit a local hunger organization.
The historic restaurant inside the park, at West 67th Street and West Drive, will light its 20-foot Christmas tree at 5 p.m., followed by an evening of music and dancing.
The swing band Fleur Seule will play from 5 to 7 p.m. in the restaurant's bar room, followed by another set in the South Wing from 8 to 9 p.m.
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Students from the chef training program at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), an Upper West Side nonprofit that offers job training and operates a food pantry, will man the Tavern's to-go snack window.
The 17-member class of adults will serve Mexican hot chocolate for $4, orange cranberry cake for $3, chili for $7 and white northern bean soup for $7.
All proceeds from the snack stand will go to the WSCAH. The event is open to the public.
