Brighter Together National COVID-19 Memorial Service

The City of Chicago, in partnership with the incoming Biden-Harris Administration, invite you take part in the Brighter Together National COVID-19 Memorial Service, a virtual event to remember the lives lost to COVID-19.

At 6:00pm on Tuesday, January 19, join residents and businesses across Chicago in turning off your lights and electronics and stepping outside to your driveway or balcony, or your workplace. Light a candle and observe a moment of silence for those who have lost their lives to COVID-19. The City will be dark during this moment as we reflect on the pandemic and its impact on our city and country.

Participating faith institutions and businesses are asked to ring bells or other instruments to commemorate this memorial service.

At 6:10pm, following ten minutes of reflection, please turn your lights back on, symbolizing moving from darkness to light. At this time businesses, cultural centers, organizations and individual homes across the city will turn on their lights effectively “lighting up” the City. Participating institutions will light their buildings an amber color or display an image of a candle in solidarity with the national memorial and cities and towns across the country.

To share how you’re participating or to ask any questions, please email covidmemorial@cityofchicago.org.