City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The city’s official tree lighting returns to Millennium Park on Friday, November 20, 2026, according to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The 113th annual tree stands near the corner of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street and is lit at 6 p.m., after which it stays illuminated through January 10, 2027.

The city sets up several viewing areas around the park with giant screens, seasonal treats and a main stage along Washington Street beside the Chicago Cultural Center. The ceremony ends with the lighting and a fireworks display, and the city livestreams it. Admission is free.

The same night opens the three-day Millennium Park Holiday Market on Chase Promenade North, so plan on staying for shopping and food after the fireworks. Millennium Park’s free ice rink usually opens the same weekend, though the city had not posted its 2026 rink dates as of late September.

Plan your visit

Washington/Wabash (Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple), Monroe and Lake on the Red Line, and Millennium Station for Metra Electric are all within two blocks. Michigan Avenue between Washington and Randolph gets closed to traffic and the Millennium Park garages fill early, so transit is the only sane choice. Crowds pack the Washington Street stage area by 5 p.m.; the lawn areas farther east are looser and have screens. Bring something to stand on for kids and dress for a couple of hours outside.