Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns
Chicago unveils Millennium Park Holiday activities
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT MILLENNIUM PARK CAMPUS, WITH HOLIDAY TRADITIONS INCLUDING THE CITY OF CHICAGO CHRISTMAS TREE, ICE SKATING AND MORE. The holiday season kicks off November 17 with the 104th Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting and the openings of McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and the Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
The City of Chicago will kick off the holiday season at the Millennium Park Campus on Friday, November 17—with the 104thChicago Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. The free show will feature performances by cast members of Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, recording artistsTemecula Road and the Oakdale Christian Academy Choir. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park and the Ice Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park will open earlier that day at noon.
The 2017 City of Chicago Christmas Tree was donated by Darlene Dorfler of Grayslake, Illinois. The 62-foot Norway Spruce was selected out of 71 submissions received by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The Tree will shine in Chicago’s iconic Millennium Park (Washington St. and Michigan Ave.) through January 6, 2018.
The Tree Lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. with holiday music featuring cast members from Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol. Celebrating 40 years, the production runs from November 18 to December 31. For tickets and information, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol
For country music fans, Southwest Airlines presents Temecula Road the rising country music trio comprised of sisters Emma and Maddie Slute and Dawson Anderson. The group will also perform on November 18 during the BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile® Lights Festival.
Additionally, more than 70 students from the Oakdale Christian Academy Choir will perform inspirational holiday music. The ceremony will be emceed by Demetrius Ivory and Erin Ivory of WGN-TV Morning News along with a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The 104th Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting is presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events sponsored in part by 93.9 MY FM, Chicago Transit Authority and InterPark. The lights adorning the Tree are donated by IBEW Local 134 and the decor at its base is provided by the Millennium Park Foundation.
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park and the Ice Skating Ribbon in Maggie Daley Park will open earlier that same day on Friday, November 17, at noon, and will offer ice skating through March 4, 2018, weather permitting.
Before the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink opens to the public, there will be a free program at 11 a.m. with performances by ice skaters from Ice Reach and a grand finale by cast from Cirque du Soleil’s newest production, Crystal – A breakthrough ice experience Admission is free, and skate rental is $12 on Monday through Thursday and $14 on Friday through Sunday and holidays. Visit the Millennium Park website for more information including hours and free ice skating lessons.
The Millennium Park Campus is the epicenter of holiday fun in Chicago. See the lighting of the city’s sparkling Christmas tree, skate at the iconic McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, and join in caroling at Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) or the Do-It-Yourself Messiah at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance—all in Millennium Park, Chicago’s town square and the #1 attraction in the Midwest. There’s more skating and family fun just across the BP Bridge at the ice ribbon in Maggie Daley Park. The Wreathing of the Lions has been a tradition at the Art Institute of Chicago for more than 25 years; watch as cheery holiday wreaths are placed on the regal lion statues on the museum steps (where they’re up all season), then head inside for art-making activities. And you won’t want to miss the Dance-Along Nutcracker® at the Chicago Cultural Center—with dance lessons and live music for children of all ages and abilities under the world’s largest Tiffany stained-glass dome.
Millennium Park Campus holiday events and activities are produced by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events along with the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Architecture Biennial, Chicago Park District, Harris Theater, the International Music Foundation, Lurie Garden and The Park Grill & Plaza at Millennium Park. For photos click – Millennium Park Holiday Events.
For complete details on these and other events and activities, visit millenniumpark.org, download the Millennium Park app, like us on Facebook (Millennium Park) and follow us on Twitter and Instagram, (@Millennium_Park) #MillenniumPark #ChiHolidays
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors. For information about programs presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, visit cityofchicago.org/dcase, like us on Facebook (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@ChicagoDCASE).
Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns
His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
- Change in law lets tax breaks automatically renew for homeowners with disabilities - October 23, 2026
- Leving Reunited Dad and Daughter and Protected Their Future - October 22, 2026
- Paul Vallas Blasts Chicago Teachers Union, Questions Billionaire Influence in Mayoral Race During “Two Guys on Politics” Podcast - October 17, 2026
