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.

NEWPORT, Ky. (WKRC) - The levee was aglow as Newport celebrated the holiday season with a festive Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The event, which took place Saturday night, featured Rozzi's Fireworks and a special appearance by Santa Claus, drawing a crowd eager to partake in the holiday cheer.

Brook Park will kick off the Christmas season on Nov. 29 with a festive parade, tree lighting ceremony, and a dazzling fireworks display to cap off the evening.

Two weekends in a row in December, Norwalk will host special events: a Holiday Extravaganza & Marketplace and the Wall Street Wonderland.

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

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.