CHICAGO, IL. Friday, November 5, 2021. 50 more days until Christma.s And, not surprisingly, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Macy’s just announced that they are taking reservations for holiday dining in the Walnut Room and all the holiday menu favorites will be back including Mrs. Hering’s beloved chicken pot pie.

This year’s Official Christmas tree will be taken down today and began its move to Millennium Park for the grand lighting ceremony on tap for November 17.

A few days later, on November 20, the Mag Mile Light Festival and Parade will attract huge crowds along Michigan Avenue and the River for a host of events, the parade and fireworks.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

5:30–6pm: Preshow with DJ Selah Say6pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, the cast of Chicago Opera Theater performing an excerpt from “Becoming Santa Claus;” a youth dance ensemble from the Kenwood School of Ballet; and special guests Dreezy Claus and Sister Claus6:30pm: Lighting and fireworks6:35–7:45pm: Concert featuring DJ Selah Say; Cirque du Soleil performing an excerpt of ‘Twas the Night Before…;” Chicago Soul Spectacular performing a high-energy Soul Christmas medley; and singer-songwriter Brian McKnight

Ice Skating

The Ice Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park. Photo: Chicago Tribune

Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park returns for its 20th anniversary season open daily from November 19 through March 6 (weather permitting).

Admission is free, but online reservation tickets will be required. Snacks and hot drinks will be available from Momentum Coffee. Additionally, DCASE will present free skating lessons (reservations required) from 8–9am on most Saturdays and Sundays from November 20 through March 6, 2022, teaching beginner and intermediate ice skating and hockey skills. Free 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.

Art Market

The Millennium Park Art Market (following popular 2018 and 2019 editions), to kick off the holiday shopping season. The Art Market in the Chase Promenade North tent will feature 30 local artists selling a variety of items including jewelry, pottery, drawings, paintings and more. In addition to professional artists curated through BUDDY, the shop at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Art Market will feature student artists from organizations including Marwen and After School Matters — plus a café, pop-up programming and a special visit by Dreezy Claus on Saturday and Sunday from 1–3pm. The Art Market is made possible by the Millennium Park Foundation with generous support from the Pritzker Foundation.

Art Market Schedule (subject to change):

Friday, November 19 from 3–8pmSaturday, November 20 from 12–8pm  Sunday, November 21 from 12–5pm  

Caroling at Cloud Gate

Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along (previously “Caroling at Cloud Gate”) will invite Chicagoans and visitors to sing out and celebrate Chicago’s diverse holiday traditions on Fridays at 6pm, November 26 – December 17 and (note additional date and start time) Sunday, December 12 at 4pm. This series has been reimagined to be more inclusive of Chicago’s many faith backgrounds, cultures and holiday music traditions. The Holiday Sing-Along is made possible by the Millennium Park Foundation with generous support from the Pritzker Foundation.

Holiday Sing-Along Schedule (subject to change):

Friday, November 26 at 6pm: Chicago Latino Theater Alliance presents Destinos al Aire: Posadas y Parranda, with Cuerdas Clásicas and the Frankie Diaz Trio featuring Milly SantiagoFriday, December 3 at 6pm: Dexter Walker & Zion MovementFriday, December 10 at 6pm: The Chicago High School for the Arts Chorale Ensemble[Recently added:] Sunday, December 12 at 4pm: Kol Zimrah Jewish Community Singers Friday, December 17 at 6pm: Chicago Community Chorus 

More

Pop-up Performances throughout the Park in November and December will feature Collaborative Institute for Cultural Arts, Black Bear Combo, Gerry Hundt’s One-Man Band, Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, The House Theatre of Chicago and South Shore Drill Team. For the full schedule, visit MillenniumPark.org.

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