With December fast approaching, the streets of Old Town will soon be decorated with twinkling lights and colorful garland to celebrate another holiday season. We welcome everyone — from within the neighborhood and without — to help us welcome winter at our Sixth Annual Old Town Tree Lighting on Tuesday, November 28th, beginning at 5:00pm. The event will be held at Burton Place Park (1501 N. Wells).

As always, staff and board members for the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association will be providing complimentary hot cocoa, apple cider and sweet treats from local businesses to all in attendance! The youth chorus from Franklin Fine Arts Center will be on hand, belting their favorite holiday tunes and Christmas carols. The tree lighting itself will occur at 5:30pm with special guests Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. and Alderman Brian Hopkins.

And speaking of kids, we have a special, rosy-cheeked, jelly-bellied gentleman — clad in red and bearded in white — attending the Old Town Tree Lighting too. That’s right — Santa Claus is Coming To [Old] Town, spreading holiday cheer and listening to your children’s’ wish lists!

Holiday decorations — as well as all 2017 street plantings and landscaping on Wells Street — are installed by Old Town Gardens, through a shared contract between SSA 48 Old Town and the Old Town Merchants & Residents Association.

The Old Town Tree Lighting also signifies the start of our annual Holiday Charity Drive to support local Chicago Charities. We encourage all attendees to bring one or more donated items, and this year, we are requesting: non-perishable food items, winter outerwear for men and women, and household supplies/toiletries. Throughout the month of December, items can also be dropped off at one of our participating Old Town businesses. More information can be found at
www.oldtownchicago.org/2017holidaydrive.