One of the country’s oldest holiday traditions will happen in Chicago this week.
The 111th City of Chicago Christmas Tree will be lit up Friday night, Nov. 22, during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Millennium Park.
You can visit HERE on the City of Chicago website for more information about Friday’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, including a list of performances.
Here’s what you need to know if you plan to attend the annual holiday tradition:
What time?
The lighting takes place at 6 p.m., but the pre-show begins at 5 p.m.
Do I need tickets?
No.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is free and open to the public.
Where does the tree come from?
This year’s City of Chicago Christmas Tree comes from the Logan Square neighborhood.
It’s a 53-foot Colorado Blue Spruce that’s being provided by the Holden-Shaddick family. Crews began removing the tree, planted nearly 50 years ago by the previous home owners, earlier this month for delivery to Millennium Park.
The tree will remain illuminated in Millennium Park through Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Will streets be closed?
Yes.
The following streets will be closed before and during the Tree Lighting Ceremony, from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., on Friday:
- Michigan Avenue between Randolph Street and Monroe Street.
- Washington Street between Michigan Ave. and Wabash Avenue.
- Madison Street between Wabash Ave. and Michigan Ave.
Click HERE to see a map of Millennium Park for the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Will there be other holiday festivities?
Absolutely. If fact, there are several holiday- and winter-related events in Millennium Park before, during and after the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
And if you like ice skating, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. in Millennium Park through Feb. 2, weather permitting.
Admission is free, but online tickets are required and skates can be rented for a fee. Click HERE for skate rental rates or to reserve online tickets.
Check out the Millennium Park Facebook page for updates on if weather conditions allow the ice rink to be open.
Additionally, on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Discover will host live ice sculpting at the rink. It will showcase a frozen hockey puck ice sculpture, one of a few activities Discover has planned at the rink leading up to the NHL Winter Classic between the Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 31 at Wrigley Field.
Visit millenniumpark.org for more information on all holiday activities.
