Holiday markets are back for the season, making it a wonderful time to start off your holiday shopping by supporting a variety of small businesses who’ll be present at the Markets for Makers and the Millenium Park Holiday Market this week. 

To help ring in the holiday season, consider attending the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Millenium Park or the parade down Michigan Avenue, when they’ll light the rest of the trees and decorations down the Magnificent Mile. 

Markets for Makers Holiday Market: Nov. 23-24

Check 90+ small businesses and “makers” at the Artifact Events located at 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artists specializing in a variety of crafts, including home decor, fashion, art, design and food, will be present at the market.

The Holiday edition of Markets for Makers’ ongoing series will include two floors of booths, a free tote, free DIY station and fun photo walls for an $8 general admission one-day ticket. A $15 VIP all-weekend pass will get attendees access to a VIP line, an exclusive preview Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a special edition tote. 

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: Nov. 22

Chicago’s official Christmas tree will be illuminated Friday at 6 p.m. at Millenium Park. The show will be presented by Powering Chicago, and the lit tree will stand tall in the park until Jan. 8. The preshow will begin at 5 p.m., and commercial-free live broadcasting will be available on CBS2 Chicago from 6 to 6:30 p.m. 

This year’s tree, a soaring 53-foot Colorado blue spruce, was donated to the city by the Holden-Shaddick family, who reside in Logan Square. The blue spruce will be the 111th of Chicago’s legendary Christmas trees in Millenium Park. 

There’ll be performances from Uniting Voices — formerly Chicago Children’s Choir — Rosalba Valdez, Zion Ali, DJ EvieTheCool and more. 

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: Nov. 23

This event takes place every year to offer Chicagoans a chance to gather for the lighting of more than 200 trees up and down the Magnificent Mile, accompanied by a holiday parade and a chance to meet Santa Claus, Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and participate in a number of other holiday themed activities in the area. 

The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. Nov. 23 with activities and photo ops, but the parade won’t begin until 5:30 p.m. The parade will feature floats, balloons and celebrities. Admission is free, and more information can be found at The Magnificent Mile Association website. 

Millenium Park Holiday Market: Nov. 22-24

Operating as an activity to accompany the tree lighting ceremony in Millenium Park, this pop-up holiday market will feature goods from a variety of local vendors. 
Admission to the market is free, and it’ll remain open from 12-8 p.m. Nov. 22-23 and 12-5 p.m. Nov. 24. More information can be found at the city of Chicago website.