DOWNTOWN — The lighting of the official Chicago Christmas tree — this year in Millennium Park — has been set.
• When: Tuesday, November 24, 2015
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Entertainment: Begins at 5:30 p.m. Performers include sopranos Renee Fleming and Danielle de Niese, cast members from Emerald City's "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and the Latin Music Project Ensemble.
• What happened to Daley Plaza? The tree's location moved to Millennium Park this year after 48 years in Daley Plaza. Officials said the move was part of an effort to create a “winter campus.” Other activities include Caroling at Cloud Gate (“The Bean”), skating at Millennium Park and at the “ribbon”in Maggie Daley Park, and visits/photos with Santa Claus at at the park’s holiday “welcome center."
• Back to the future: According to city historians, Chicago’s first official Christmas tree was lit by Mayor Carter Harrison in 1913 in Grant Park at Monroe and Michigan. For more than 50 years an official tree was set up in various locations throughout the park. Starting in 1966, Daley Plaza became the official site for the annual ceremony, except for 1982 when the tree stood at State and Wacker.
• Where did it come from? This year's tree, a 63-foot Colorado spruce, was donated by a family in suburban Northlake. Its 67 years old and weighs 9,500 pounds.
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