City lights official Christmas tree at Millennium Park
One flip of a switch in Millennium Park Friday night turned a Glenview family’s front-yard spruce into this year’s symbol of Christmas in downtown Chicago.
In one moment, more than 39,000 feet of lights wrapping the 68-foot Norwegian evergreen came to life, as fireworks lit up the cityscape and thousands let out a cheer for the holiday season.
Chicago’s Christmas Tree sits bright and shining during the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
“This is a moment where we bring in joy and love and warm,” Mayor Brandon Johnson told the crowd. “It doesn’t matter that the attacks that are coming against our city, we will always stay united.”
The celebration’s centerpiece comes from the Mason family. Its owners, Ryan and Jody Mason, told the Sun-Times their home’s previous owner planted the spruce in the 1980s.
The family is glad to see it fulfilling its holiday purpose, Jody Mason said Friday.
Added 8-year-old Lucas Mason: “We are happy to share this tree with the whole city.”
The Mason family stands together in front of the tree they donated for the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The tree lighting celebration also featured performances from DJ Mike P, musician Mara Love, circus performer Christopher Stoinev, Mariachi Sirenas, the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus and the Leo Catholic High School choir, which placed 4th in this year’s “America’s Got Talent.”
Roberto Acosta, 26, and Dalia Arenas, 24, of Portage Park had been waiting at Millennium Park since 2:30 p.m. with their 3-year-old son Evan: “We heard of it being packed before.”
Thousands attend the the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The couple said they have been to the tree lighting three or four times already, but it was the first time for their son.
“I don’t really go out that much,” Arenas said. “We try to come out to the city for events, but this year is all for him.”
Dozens ice skate around the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink ahead of the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Dozens ice skate around the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink ahead of the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Groups of people slowly make their way around the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink holding onto the railing as dozens of other ice skate past ahead of the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Thousands attend the the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Fireworks explode over the Chicago Cultural Center during the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Chicago’s Christmas Tree sits bright and shining during the 112th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Millennium Park, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
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