While the holiday season does not officially start for another two days, more than 400 people kicked off the North End’s winter celebration last night with Boston politicians, including Mayor Thomas Menino, who turned on a display of more than 50,000 lights at the waterfront’s Christopher Columbus Park.

Friends of Christopher Columbus Park President Dan Nuzzo said the blue and white LED lights that cover the park’s trellises will stay lit until April 1 of next year, though wreaths and other holiday decorations will be taken down Jan. 1.

The city’s largest holiday event will take place next Thursday at the Boston Common, where the 42-foot Nova Scotia pine tree will be lit at the Official Holiday Tree Lighting, according to a Parks Department news release.

This will be the 65th annual tree lighting ceremony and will be followed with the lighting of trees around the Common and up the Commonwealth Avenue mall.

The Columbus Park lighting was the first of season and one of the longest exhibits to stay lit, according to the release.

“It’s a nice start to the season,” said North End resident Lynn Wilcott, adding that this was her first time at the lighting ceremony.

The crowd received complimentary hot cocoa, candy canes and clam chowder, courtesy of the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, the Hotel Marriot and local eateries including Mike’s Pastry.

During the lighting ceremony, the a cappella group Street Magic, followed by the children of the North End Music and Performing Arts Center, sang Christmas carols for the crowd.

The Massachusetts Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMasi (D-Boston) and City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina (East Boston, Charlestown) also attended the ceremony. They gave thanks for being able to share the event with the community and wished the crowd a happy holiday.

“This Thursday, everyone should eat lots of turkey, but make sure you have your ravioli first,” DiMasi said.

“We’re out supporting the community,” said Marriot Assistant Banquet Manager Dana Cox. “Christopher Columbus Park is our backyard, and we have a lot of pride in this property.”

Nuzzo praised the Boston Parks Department for its efforts to make the celebration possible.

Nuzzo said Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, a volunteer organization that works with the Boston Parks Department to maintain the space, raised $80,000 in May for park services.