Michigan Avenue got a whole lot merrier on Friday night. Mayor Brandon Johnson was among the onstage VIPs as thousands of gathered onlookers stood shoulder to shoulder in crowds that stretched down Michigan Avenue at Millennium Park for the lighting of Chicago’s official Christmas tree.

The 53-foot Colorado blue spruce donated by the Holden-Shaddick family in Logan Square will be wrapped with thousands of lights.

Chicago's holiday season has unofficially arrived, with the city's Christmas tree being lit Friday as a weekend full of holiday events begins.

COOK COUNTY - Chicago ’s cherished holiday tradition, the Christkindlmarket, is back for the season, offering locals and visitors a chance to celebrate the holidays with German-inspired festivities. The market, which opened this week, is operating at two locations: Daley Plaza in Chicago and River Edge Park in Aurora.

The official Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting for 2024 takes place during a ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. The tree -- a 53-foot Colorado Blue Spruce donated by the Hodlen-Shaddick family, of Logan Square -- will shine brightly near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street through Jan. 8, according to the city's website.

Lindsay Lohan appeared on Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” as part of her press tour for the upcoming Netflix holiday movie “Our Little Secret” and earned big applause when she revealed how she playfully fired back at the CEO of Disney while attending the world premiere of “The Parent Trap” in 1998. Lohan was just …

The tree, a 53-foot Colorado Blue Spruce donated by the Hodlen-Shaddick family, of Logan Square, will shine brightly near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street through January 8, 2025.

The popular Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza will open for the season on Friday, and the official Chicago Christmas tree will also soon glow bright at night in Millennium Park. Two nights ahead of time,