VIDEO: Chicago’s Christmas tree decorated with 70K lights

Chicago's 2024 Christmas tree in Millennium Park Photo credit WBBM Newsradio/ Sara Dingmann

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — 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.

Thousands of people gathered in Millennium Park on Friday, fresh off a high of the season’s first snowfall. The weather was mild, so it was perfect for people to gather and watch the tree come to life for the holiday season.

@wbbmnewsradio105.9 It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas! Chicago’s Christmas tree is now lit! The tree came from Logan Square and is covered in 70,000 lights. That’s 6.2 miles of them. Check out more Chicago holiday events on our website. #christmas #chicago #chicagotiktok #christmastree ♬ White memory (Christmas song) - SOUND BANK

The tree is a 53-foot-tall blue spruce that was donated by a family in Logan Square. The tree has been adorned with 70,000 lights, which is 6.2 miles of lights.

People can view the tree, which stands in the park at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street.

Check out photos of the tree lighting ceremony below: