Chicago City Wire

CHICAGO—Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announce a joyful lineup of 2023 holiday festivities at Millennium Park along with details on Chicago’s 2023 Christmas Tree. The 110th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree, a 45-foot Colorado Blue Spruce was donated by the De La Cruz family of Darien, IL. The Colorado Blue Spruce will be illuminated during the Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 17, which will be emceed by Irika Sargent and Joe Donlon of CBS 2 Chicago. The full slate of holiday programming includes an epic performance lineup, sing-alongs, ice skating and more.

This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, presented by Powering Chicago with leadership support from the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation, will include multiple viewing locations with screens and concessions in the Park. New this year, the main stage will be located on Washington St. adjacent to the Chicago Cultural Center, directly across Michigan Ave. from the Chicago Christmas Tree. The main stage will feature holiday performances capped off with the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony and fireworks. Performers for the ceremony include DJ TREW, Meagan McNeal, cast members from BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical, Chicago Dance Crash, Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance's 2023 National Cuatro Festival with featured artists from Puerto Rico - Emma Colon Zayas, Maribel Delgado, Fabiola Mendez, with singer Celenia Sanchez Mata, and Santa and Mrs. Laura Lynn Claus.

Other holiday activities in Millennium Park include the 22nd anniversary season of skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink opening November 17 (weather permitting), the return of the Millennium Park Holiday Art Market from November 17-19 and the return of the Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along series on December 1, 8 and 15. The Park is open daily, 6am–11pm. Plan your visit at MillenniumPark.org.

This year, holiday traditions return to Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.), with expanded programming and enhanced décor — made possible by the generous support of the Millennium Park Foundation and Pritzker Foundation. The Park is open daily, 6am–11pm. Please visit MillenniumPark.org to plan your visit and get more information about safety guidelines.

Chicago’s “official” Christmas tree, the 110th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park, will shine brightly near the intersection of Michigan Ave. and Washington St. from November 17 through January 7. This year’s Tree, a 45-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, was donated by the De La Cruz family of Darien, IL. This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony presented by Powering Chicago with leadership support from the Millennium Park Foundation and the Pritzker Foundation, will be on Friday, November 17 starting at 6pm (with a pre-show starting at 5pm and the actual lighting at approximately 6:25pm). Emceed by Irika Sargent and Joe Donlon of CBS 2 Chicago, the 2023 event will include multiple viewing locations with screens and concessions in the Park and – new this year – a main stage on Washington St. at Michigan Ave., adjacent to the Chicago Cultural Center. The main stage will feature wonderful holiday programming followed by the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony and fireworks.

“It is truly an honor for Powering Chicago to continue in the annual tradition of lighting the official City of Chicago Christmas Tree. 110 years of officially kicking off the holidays, signifies the commitment and joy we share as fellow Chicagoans with the festive season,” said Elbert Walters III, Executive Director, Powering Chicago. “A special thank you goes out to Powering Chicago signatory contractor, ECO Lighting Services and Technology LLC for the lighting of this year’s Tree. On behalf of Powering Chicago, we wish all a safe and happy holiday season.”

 

Nov. 17, Tree Lighting Ceremony Schedule (subject to change):

•    5-6pm          Pre-Show

•    6-6:30pm    Tree Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks

•    6:25pm         Christmas Tree is illuminated

•    6:30-7pm     Post Show

Please visit Chicago.gov/Holiday for full program lineup and schedule.

Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park, presented by Hilton, returns for its 22nd anniversary season, open daily from November 17 through March 3 (weather permitting). Admission is free and skating time must be reserved online. Free skating lessons are available from 9am–10am on most Saturdays and Sundays through March 3, 2024, teaching beginner and intermediate ice skating and hockey skills. Lessons are made possible by the McDonald’s Active Lifestyles Endowment managed by the Millennium Park Foundation. For online reservation ticket details and session availability, skate rental fees, the full skating lesson schedule and more, visit MillenniumPark.org. End a day of skating with a visit to Millennium Hall's Napolita Pizzeria and Wine Bar and Momentum Coffee for food and beverages.

DCASE is pleased to present the Millennium Park Holiday Art Market to kick off the holiday shopping season — aligned with the 110th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 17 and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on November 18. The Holiday Art Market, in the Chase Promenade North tent, will feature local artists selling a variety of items including jewelry, pottery, drawings, paintings and more. And don’t miss the food, cocktails and live music in the Holiday Art Market Lounge! The Holiday Art Market is made possible by the generous support of the Pritzker Foundation.

 

Holiday Art Market Schedule (subject to change):

•    Friday, November 17 from 12–8pm

•    Saturday, November 18 from 12–8pm

•    Sunday, November 19 from 12–5pm

The Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along will invite Chicagoans and visitors to sing out and celebrate Chicago’s diverse holiday traditions in Wrigley Square at 6pm on Fridays between December 1 and December 15. The Holiday Sing-Along is made possible by the generous support of the Pritzker Foundation.

 

Holiday Sing-Along Schedule (subject to change):

•    December 1 – Northeastern Illinois University

•    December 8 – Windy City Gay Chorus

•    December 15 – League of Chicago Theatres

For more information on DCASE holiday festivities, please visit Chicago.gov/Holiday.

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Powering Chicago IBEW134/NECA

Powering Chicago brings together the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 electricians and the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) of the City of Chicago and Cook County. Powering Chicago is an electrical industry labor-management partnership (LMCC) that invests in consistently better construction, better careers and better communities within the metro Chicago region.

 

Millennium Park Foundation

The Millennium Park Foundation, a private, philanthropic nonprofit partner, was created in 1998 to support the City of Chicago’s efforts in the design, construction, and curation of Millennium Park. It is the steward of Millennium Park’s internationally-recognized icons and public features. These include the prestigious Jay Pritzker Pavilion and dramatic BP Pedestrian Bridge, world-renowned Cloud Gate and Lurie Garden, iconic Crown Fountain, and exquisite Boeing Galleries for public art exhibitions. Through its ongoing development initiatives, the Millennium Park Foundation is dedicated to keeping Millennium Park a free, accessible and equitable venue for all Chicagoans today, and for generations to come.

 

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

Original source can be found here.