Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting in 2024 – What You Need to Know

Friday night was a lot more fun on Michigan Avenue.

Mayor Brandon Johnson was among the VIPs on stage as thousands of assembled spectators stood shoulder to shoulder in the crowd that lined Michigan Avenue in Millennium Park for the lighting of Chicago’s official Christmas tree.

The holiday’s centerpiece, a 54-foot-tall blue spruce donated to the city by Logan Square residents Sarah Holden, her husband Dave Shaddick and their daughters Hazel and Pearl, was the 111th such tree to mark the start of the holiday season in Chicago.

“This is our city that we celebrate. And I want us to be very proud that our tree comes from our city, from our backyard,” said Kline Hedspeth, commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, as she kicked off the festivities.

Family members, Mayor Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Claus flipped a giant switch and 70,000 lights came to life, illuminating a towering tree while fireworks lit up the night sky from the roof of the Chicago Cultural Center across the street. .

“Let’s celebrate each other, let’s continue to come together and welcome the wonderful season of holidays. This is Chicago. No matter where you live, you deserve to experience the fruits of everything that is possible in this country, because Chicago truly is the greatest damn city in the world. Let’s celebrate!” – the mayor said earlier in his welcoming address to the assembled crowd.

The pre-show featured performances by the Uniting Voices choir, actress Jaeda LaVonne from the Marriott Theatre’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, vocalist Rosalba Valdez, Teatro ZinZanni actors Liv Warfield and Cunio, DJ EvieTheCool, Nate Marti and SIGN. and Sion Ali. The evening was anchored by CBS2 Chicago news anchors Joe Donlon and Irika Sargent.

Where did the Christmas tree come from in Chicago this year?

A 54-foot-tall blue spruce that will light up downtown Chicago during the holiday season was torn down from the front yard of a Logan Square home in the 2500 block of North Kimball Avenue.

It was planted in 1976 when the house’s previous owner, Jim Mulligan, moved there.

Millennium Park, ice skating

Earlier in the day, the nearby Millennium Park skating rink, which opened last week, was packed with outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Hundreds of figure skating enthusiasts and novices took to the ice as the weather in Chicago remained cold but uneventful, a far cry from Thursday’s snowy wonderland.

The skating rink will remain open until February 2, 2025, weather permitting. Admission is free, but skiing sessions must be booked online. There is a fee for skate rental, but you can bring your own. Ice skating is also available at the Maggie Daly Skating Rink outside.