Watch CBS News

Chicago lights up the Christmas tree at Millennium Park

Chicago rings in the holiday season with the Millennium Park Christmas Tree lighting
Chicago rings in the holiday season with the Millennium Park Christmas Tree lighting 00:49

CHICAGO (CBS) – Holiday cheer is spreading throughout Chicago.

CBS 2's Lauren Victory went to where the growing crowd was at Millennium Park for the annual tree lighting ceremony.

People listened to music, some while took to the skating rink.

Spectators gather, take in the music ahead of Chicago's Millennium Park tree lighting 02:00

This year's tree is a 55-foot Colorado Blue Spruce from the Village of Morton Grove. The family had the tree on their property for 33 years before giving it up.

The tree had to be removed from its original spot earlier this month before taking its place as the centerpiece of the annual lighting ceremony.

The tree features 60,000 lights, or more than five miles of lights.

Victory ran into several spectators, including a youth volleyball team that came all the way from Miami.

"We've never seen snow," said one player. "So this is our first time seeing snow for the most of us."

Chicago lights up the Christmas tree at Millennium Park 01:36
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.