CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicagoans will be rockin' around the Christmas tree Friday night, letting the Christmas spirit ring!
The 106th Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. in Millennium Park's Wrigley Square, located at Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street.
The 55-foot blue spruce comes from Gene Nelson and his family in Elgin. It was selected from more than 40 submissions received by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The tree was cut down earlier this month and arrived in the city on Nov. 8.
The Nelson family will have the honor Friday of flipping on the switch and lighting the tree at the 106th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The ceremony will also include performances by Grammy Award-winning artist Jonathan Butler, who recently released his second Christmas album, Christmas Together; and Cielito Lindo, a modern Latino Mariachi made up of the 9-member Lucero family. Following those performances, rag doll Eleanor and the elves from Eleanor’s Very Merry Christmas Wish - The Musical will show off their wrapping and "rapping" skills, the city said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are also expected to make an appearance.
Visitors can enjoy the glittering tree at Millennium Park through Jan. 6.