The City of Chicago and UL are pleased to announce the lineup for the 101st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, November 25, at Daley Plaza (Washington and Dearborn). The FREE event begins at 4:30pm with performances headlined by rocker Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame. The official tree lighting will be at 5pm.
Dee Snider, best known as the front man for the legendary rock band Twisted Sister, headlines the event. Snider will perform a medley from Broadway In Chicago’s Dee Snider’s Rock & Roll Christmas Tale which begins its world premiere at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place on November 4 through January 4, 2015.
Hansel and Gretel from Emerald City Theatre’s Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat will also perform a song from their classic story reimagined as a family rock musical. The musical will be playing at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place starting November 22 through January 4, 2015.
Since 2009, Chicago’s Christmas tree has been donated by a Chicago-area family. During the summer and early fall, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events received more than 80 submissions from Chicagoland residents who hoped that their tree would be selected to shine on Daley Plaza during the holidays. Chicago’s Christmas tree will be on display at Daley Plaza through January 8, 2014.
Santa Claus will once again set up shop on Daley Plaza in an all-new Santa House provided by ECODOME Inc. Santa’s Midwest headquarters will be open to children of all ages where they can experience the wonder of the North Pole and have their picture taken with Santa Claus throughout the holiday season.
Visits with Santa Claus begin on Tuesday, November 25 at 6pm until 8pm, with special hours on Wednesday, November 26 from 11am-8pm and Thanksgiving Day from 11am-4pm. Santa’s regular visiting hours and house tours will begin on Friday, November 28 and continue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 21 from 11am-8pm. During Christmas week, December 22-23, the house will be open each day from 11am-8pm, with special hours on Christmas Eve from 11am-4pm. Santa will be available for photos, so don’t forget to bring your camera!
