Each year a giant tree is chopped down in Nova Scotia, strapped to a truck, carried down the highway and into Boston to be lit up on the Common.

This is Boston’s official Christmas tree, a tradition for the last 43 years, according to a statement from Boston’s parks and recreation department. On Thursday, a 43-foot white spruce will go up in lights for all the city to celebrate the holiday season.

A tree is trucked down from Nova Scotia each year as a gift. In 1917, a large explosion of a ship in Halifax, Nova Scotia, rattled the city.  Boston quickly acted to help the city, according to the statement. A train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel shipped up to Halifax to assist with the disaster

Now, as a yearly thank you, a family in Halifax donates a tree to Boston. This year, John and Ethel Ann MacPherson donated their tree. Smaller trees were also donated to Rosie’s Place and the Pine Street Inn, the statement said.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Premier Stephen McNeil of Nova Scotia will join Bostonians in the Common Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. along with a host of performers.

The event will be broadcast by Channel 5, WCVB, and feature comedian Jimmy Tingle, cast members from Motown The Musical, The Voice contestant Brittany Butler, the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, Nova Scotia band The Stanfields, the Floorlords dance troupe, and the Holy Tabernacle Church Christmas Cantata Choir, the parks and recreation department said.

Holiday lights will shine just before 8 p.m., and the show will close with a pyrotechnic display by MagicFire, Inc., the department said. Santa Claus will also be in attendance.