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The 5 Essential Facts About The Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting 2025: Date, Location, And Unseen History

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The official start to the Chicago holiday season is locked in: The City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will illuminate Millennium Park on Friday, November 21, 2025. This iconic event, now in its 112th year, is the highly anticipated kickoff to the festive winter calendar, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the heart of the Loop to witness the spectacular moment the towering Norway Spruce bursts into light.

For those planning their trip, mark your calendars for a pre-show celebration beginning at 5:00 p.m. CST, with the main Tree Lighting Ceremony scheduled to take place around 6:25 p.m. This guide provides the most up-to-date details on the 2025 event, including the tree's surprising origin, the full schedule, and how to make the most of your visit to the Windy City's premier holiday spectacle.

Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting 2025: Key Event Details and Biography

The annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting is more than just flipping a switch; it is a century-old tradition that symbolizes the start of the winter festivities in Chicago. Here are the essential details for the 2025 event, which promises to be one of the largest public gatherings of the year:

  • Event Name: The City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (112th Annual)
  • Official Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
  • Location: Millennium Park (Near Michigan Ave. & Washington St.)
  • Venue: The official tree is situated at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street, near the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink.
  • Time: Pre-show performances begin at 5:00 p.m. CST. The official lighting moment is anticipated around 6:25 p.m. CST.
  • Cost: The event is free and open to the public.
  • The Tree: A 68-foot Norway Spruce, donated by a suburban Chicago family from Glenview, Illinois.
  • Display Duration: The tree will remain illuminated daily from the lighting ceremony through Sunday, January 11, 2026.
  • Related Activities: The lighting is immediately followed by the opening of the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and is a precursor to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

How the 2025 Chicago Christmas Tree Was Chosen and Prepared

The selection process for the official City of Chicago Christmas Tree is a fascinating competition that adds a personal touch to the massive public display. Each year, residents of the greater Chicagoland community are invited to nominate their trees for the honor.

The 2025 tree, a majestic 68-foot Norway Spruce, was selected from over 65 nominations. It was graciously donated by a suburban family in Glenview, Illinois. Once chosen, a team of experts, including arborists and riggers, carefully harvests, transports, and installs the massive tree in Millennium Park.

This process is an incredible feat of engineering and logistics. The spruce must be tall, full, and structurally sound to withstand the elements and support the thousands of lights and decorations. The tradition of accepting a donation from a local family ensures the tree has deep roots in the community, making the final lighting ceremony a truly local celebration.

The Full Millennium Park Experience: Entertainment and Festivities

The Tree Lighting Ceremony is the centerpiece of a much larger evening of entertainment. While the specific list of 2025 performers is often announced closer to the date, the event consistently features top-tier local and national talent, ensuring a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

The pre-show, which starts at 5:00 p.m., typically includes performances from various Chicago arts organizations. In past years, groups like the renowned Voice of Chicago (Uniting Voices Chicago) have graced the stage, setting a high bar for holiday musical excellence. Attendees can expect a mix of traditional carols, modern holiday hits, and cultural performances.

The evening culminates with the official lighting, followed by a spectacular fireworks display over Millennium Park, a grand finale that officially ushers in the holiday season.

Beyond the Lights: Related Chicago Holiday Entities

Topical Authority for "when is the tree lighting in chicago" requires mentioning the other major holiday attractions that open concurrently. The Tree Lighting is strategically scheduled to align with the launch of several other key holiday entities, transforming downtown Chicago into a winter wonderland:

  • McCormick Tribune Ice Rink: Located just steps from the tree, the ice rink opens for the season on the same day as the lighting ceremony. It's a hugely popular spot for free public skating, offering stunning views of the city skyline and the illuminated tree.
  • Christkindlmarket Chicago: This highly anticipated German-style outdoor Christmas market usually opens the same week. Located in Daley Plaza, it offers authentic German food, mulled wine (Glühwein), and unique holiday crafts, making it a perfect pre- or post-lighting stop.
  • Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: While the Millennium Park tree lighting is the "official" start, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, typically held the following day, is the massive commercial parade. It features floats, marching bands, and the illumination of over a million lights along North Michigan Avenue, often led by Grand Marshals like Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
  • Other Light Shows: For those who can't get enough of the holiday glow, other popular light displays include ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden, and Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum.

A Century of Tradition: The History of the Chicago Christmas Tree

The tradition of the official Chicago Christmas Tree is a fascinating story that has evolved over more than 100 years. Understanding its history adds a layer of depth to the modern celebration.

From Grant Park to Millennium Park

The official City of Chicago Christmas Tree tradition dates back to the early 20th century. For many years, the tree was not a single, naturally grown specimen. Instead, the city would spend weeks assembling approximately 100 smaller trees into one perfectly shaped, giant "mega tree."

Historically, the tree was located in Grant Park, Chicago's massive urban park bordering Lake Michigan. However, in the early 2000s, the ceremony found its new, permanent home in the newly constructed Millennium Park, a move that brought the tradition into a more modern, accessible, and high-profile setting, right next to iconic landmarks like The Bean (Cloud Gate).

The Evolution of the Tree

The shift from an assembled mega-tree to a single, donated Norway Spruce or other large conifer is a relatively recent change. This switch has given the event a more authentic and personal feel, allowing a local family to contribute to a city-wide tradition.

The 112th annual lighting ceremony in 2025 continues this proud, evolving tradition. It is a moment of collective civic pride, bringing together people from all over Chicagoland and the world to celebrate the spirit of the holidays in a truly spectacular fashion.

Practical Tips for Attending the 2025 Tree Lighting Ceremony

Attending the Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting is an unforgettable experience, but the crowds can be substantial. Here are a few essential tips for attendees:

  • Arrive Early: With the pre-show starting at 5:00 p.m. and the lighting at 6:25 p.m., the best viewing spots near the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink fill up very quickly. Plan to arrive between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to secure a good location.
  • Use Public Transportation: Parking near Millennium Park is extremely difficult and expensive on event days. Utilize the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) 'L' trains or buses. The Randolph/Wabash and Washington/Wabash stations are the closest to the park.
  • Dress Warmly: November in Chicago is notoriously cold. Dress in layers, wear thermal gear, and consider bringing hand warmers. The event is entirely outdoors.
  • Best Viewing Spots: The main area is near the ice rink, but great views of the tree and the fireworks can also be found on the steps near the Cloud Gate sculpture or along Michigan Avenue.

The 2025 Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting is set to be a magical, must-see event. By planning ahead and knowing the schedule, you can ensure your experience of this century-old tradition is nothing short of spectacular.

when is the tree lighting in chicago
when is the tree lighting in chicago

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