(Press Release :)
Exhibit Overview: This year's Museum of Science and Industry's beloved holiday tradition, Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, runs from Nov. 14, 2008 until Jan. 4, 2009. The tradition began in 1942 as a United Nations Day salute to American allies during World War II. In its first year, a dozen trees graced the Museum's halls. Now in its 67th year, the exhibition has grown to include more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers from Chicago's ethnic communities to reflect holiday traditions from around the globe. This year, a new tree from Bulgaria will be added. Holidays of Light, a multicultural display of holiday traditions that celebrate light or enlightenment-such as Diwali, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa-also illuminates the Museum's halls during this time.
In 2008, in honor of the Museum's 75th Anniversary, this year's celebration will be themed "Celebrating 75 Years of Museum Memories." The Museum's 45-foot Grand Tree will be decorated with shimmering ornaments that represent the Museum's iconic exhibits as well as dazzling silver and red accents and more than 25,000 twinkling lights. Guests will be able to take in festive dance and choral performances every day of the week on the Holiday Stage, as well as special events during the duration of the exhibit. The Holiday Stage area will be adorned with the Museum memories our guests have shared with us over the years, and guests are also invited to share their own memories. Please check the Museum's Web sitewww.msichicago.org, for a complete listing of events. Also, download our "Trees and Traditions" podcast for more exhibit information.
Exhibit Run: Nov. 14, 2008 - Jan. 4, 2009
Cost: General admission pricing is $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $9 for children ages 3-11. Museum guests are encouraged to buy tickets online at www.msichicago.org. On the following dates, the Museum will offer free general admission: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27; Christmas Eve, Dec. 24; and New Year's Eve, Dec. 31. In addition, guests can take advantage of a special "Share the Memories" two-for-one ticket offer Mondays through Thursdays from Nov. 17 - Dec. 11, 2008. For details and to download the promotion voucher, visit www.msichicago.org
Hours: Regular Museum hours during the exhibit run are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. On select days, the Museum will offer special extended evening hours:
Open until 5:30 p.m.: Nov. 14-16, 21-23, 28-30; Dec. 6, 7, 13-21, 26-31; Jan. 1
