The tree, which was donated by a Logan Square family and placed in the park earlier this month, will be illuminated Friday evening near Michigan Avenue and Washington Street next to the Chicago Cultural Center.
The tree is a 53-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, and the fun will get underway at 6 p.m.
Other holiday events are also kicking off Friday in Chicago.
It's a little less than a week before Thanksgiving, but the Christkindlmarket on Daley Plaza is already drawing big crowds. The stocking-shaped mugs are apparently a big hit.
Ashleen Sparks and Janice Hodges are visiting Chicago from Texas.
"Yeah, love it," Hodges said. "Feels like Christmas, and we actually saw the snow yesterday which made it even better."
READ MORE | Christkindlmarket reveals 2024 mugs and merch collection | See photos
"We're actually getting the Christmas spirit right now," Sparks said. "This'll be our Christmas right here."
At the Palmer House, they kicked off the holiday season in style Friday morning with their traditional turning on the lights in their huge tree in the lobby.
Many of the visitors at the Christkindlmarket are waiting for the lighting of the tree later at Millennium Park. The market even got a thumbs up from a visitor from Germany, Thilo Ziegenhagen.
"Yeah, it's very nice," Ziegenhagen said.
So the Christmas season is underway, like it or not. And downtown, it seems most people like it.
"I love the holiday spirit," resident Michonda Tarver said. "I love the Christmas spirit. I love the giving, the cheering."
A fireworks show will follow the tree lighting.
The following streets will be closed from 10 a.m.-11:59 p.m. Friday:
- Washington St. from Wabash to Michigan Ave.
- Madison from Wabash to Michigan Ave.
- Michigan Ave. from Randolph to Monroe
- Garland from Randolph to Monroe