Michigan Avenue got a whole lot merrier on Friday night. Mayor Brandon Johnson was among the onstage VIPs as thousands of gathered onlookers stood shoulder to shoulder in crowds that stretched down Michigan Avenue at Millennium Park for the lighting of Chicago’s official Christmas tree.

The 53-foot Colorado blue spruce donated by the Holden-Shaddick family in Logan Square will be wrapped with thousands of lights.

Some of Chicago's most famous holiday events for 2024 open for business this weekend, including the city's official Christmas Tree Lighting, the opening of Chicago Christmas markets and an illuminating Christmas Parade.

One of the country’s oldest holiday traditions will happen in Chicago this week. The 111th City of Chicago Christmas Tree will be lit up Friday night, Nov. 22, during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Millennium Park.

The official Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting for 2024 takes place during a ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. The tree -- a 53-foot Colorado Blue Spruce donated by the Hodlen-Shaddick family, of Logan Square -- will shine brightly near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street through Jan. 8, according to the city's website.

The tree, which was donated by a Logan Square family and placed in the park earlier this month, is being illuminated Friday evening.

It just got a lot more festive in the Windy City. Chicago’s Christmas tree is now lit for the season. This was the 111th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The tree lighting is one of the city’s oldest traditions.