The holiday spirit has officially descended on Chicago.
The Millennium Parks skating rink officially opened Friday morning, beckoning one and all to enjoy their beloved outdoor winter pastime amid some frightfully cold weather on this day.
The rink will be open through March 5, 2023 (weather permitting). Skating is free, but you must obtain tickets online ahead of your arrival, and free lessons are available from 9 to 10 a.m. weekends and select other dates (online reservations are required). Limited walk-up reservations may be available based on overall rink capacity. Hours, fees ($10-$20 for on-site skate rentals) and more info can be found at chicago.gov.
A massive star tops the city’s Christmas tree in Millennium Park on Friday night.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-TImes
And Friday night, the city’s official Christmas tree (the 109th) was lit not too many steps away from the ice rink.
The tree, a 55-foot Colorado spruce, was donated by the Glisovic family of Morton Grove. The fully decorated and illuminated tree will be on display through Jan. 9, 2023, near Michigan Avenue at Washington.
The Millennium Park ice skating rink glistens in the shadow of the city’s Christmas tree Friday night.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Erin Atz (right), 25, and Laurel Cross, 24, ice skate on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park in the Loop, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Thousands of attendees take to their cell phones to capture the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree in Millennium Park on Friday night.
Tyler Pasciak La Riviere/Sun-Times
Laurel Cross, 24, ice skates on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park in the Loop, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
The Christmas tree in Millennium Park lights the way for visitors Friday night.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
People skate on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park in the Loop, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
A group of skaters enjoy the McCormick Tribune Plaza ice rink in Millennium Park as the city’s official Christmas tree glistens in the background on Friday night.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Fireworks illuminate the night sky in Chicago as the city’s official Christmas tree is lit in Millennium Park.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
An ice skater laughs while falling on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park in the Loop, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Nayelli Gonzalez (right), 10, and Jose Gonzalez (center), 12, hold on to skate trainers that look like penguins as Zaide Gonzalez, 40, holds the railing while ice skating on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park in the Loop, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
An ice skater goes around the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park in the Loop, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
