# City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting & Millennium Park Ice Rink > Event for families in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin area (IL / IN). Times are Central Time. - When: Nov 20 – Jan 10 · 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM - Where: Millennium Park (McCormick Tribune Plaza), 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602 - Ages: All ages (free admission; penguin skate aids available for young beginner skaters) - Price: Free admission to Millennium Park, tree viewing, and ice skating rink (advance online reservation required for skating slots). Ice skate rentals $16–$20 per pair. - Organizer: City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) - Official page: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_holiday.html - Last checked: Wed, Nov 4 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/city-of-chicago-christmas-tree-lighting-and-millennium-park-ice-rink--listing-aa3a170a6028b35aeeab9ace ## About Chicago's official holiday centerpiece, the 113th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree illuminates Millennium Park near Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. A towering 50-foot Norway Spruce donated by an Illinois family is adorned with tens of thousands of multicolor LED lights. On Friday, November 20, the opening lighting ceremony features live choral performances, guest appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a dazzling fireworks show launching over Cloud Gate ('The Bean'). The tree remains glowing each evening through early January. Directly below the tree at McCormick Tribune Plaza, the iconic Millennium Park Ice Rink offers open-air ice skating backdropped by Chicago's historic Michigan Avenue streetwall skyscrapers. Skating admission is completely free with advance reservation, and skate rentals are available on-site. On Friday evenings in December, Millennium Park also hosts community holiday sing-alongs featuring local youth and community choirs. ## Similar picks in Chicago - [Flossmoor's Holiday Glow Tree Lighting with Santa](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/flossmoor-s-holiday-glow-tree-lighting-with-santa--listing-0d1318eed8d432253d655da6) — Fri, Nov 20 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Flossmoor Park · checked Oct 30. The Village of Flossmoor's annual tree lighting: the Fire Department delivers Santa to the park, followed by photos with St. Nick. Kids can explore emergency vehicles decked out… - [Yorkville Holiday Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/chicago/activities/yorkville-holiday-parade-and-christmas-tree-lighting--listing-124dc348e4c965a3beb0d2d4) — Fri, Nov 20 · 6:00 PM · Riverfront Park, Yorkville · All ages · checked Oct 27. 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