By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — The forecast called for clear skies, but Lincoln Square got a heavy dusting of holiday spirit Monday night at the Winter's Eve festival.
Street performers entertained the crowd and local restaurants fed them at the neighborhood event, which kicked off with a Christmas tree lighting at Dante Park at West 63rd Street and Broadway.
Festival-goers strolled the sidewalks around Lincoln Center, sampling low-cost treats from restaurant tents. The lobster bisque from Atlantic Grill and burgers from P.J. Clarke's were favorites among the crowd.
On Broadway, an elf entertained passersby with glowing hula hoops, pausing to ask people what they wanted for Christmas. "It doesn't matter what religion you are, I'll tell Santa," she promised.
A sculptor chiseled away at a glowing block of ice in front of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Temple, which handed out free hot chocolate.
At Richard Tucker Park at West 66th Street and Broadway, the doo-wop group Select Blendz had the audience clapping along to "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?"
The Winter's Eve event, now in its 11th year, is hosted by the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District.
"There's tons of stuff," said a smiling Faye Nwafor, digging into a piece of veal lasagna from the Arpeggio restaurant tent. "Little kids are having a field day being little kids, people are dancing, which is interesting, and people are being themselves and having fun."
