With December fast approaching, the streets of Old Town will soon be festooned with tinkling 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 Fifth Annual Old Town Tree Lighting and Holiday Drive on Tuesday, November 29th, 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 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. We’re also pleased to announce a partnership with KHITS 104.3, who will be on-site playing music after the kids are done singing!

And speaking of kids, pleeeeeeeaaase bring yours, because a certain rosy-cheeked, jelly-bellied gentleman — clad in red and bearded in white — will be at the Old Town Tree Lighting too. That’s right — Santa Claus is Coming To [Old] Town, spreading holiday cheer and listening to your childrens’ wishlists!

The Old Town Tree Lighting also signifies the start of our annual Holiday Charity Drive to support Chicago House and Deborah’s Place. We encourage all attendees to bring one or more donated items to support these deserving organizations. 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 fifteen Old Town businesses (full list included below).

Holiday decorations — as well as all 2015 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 Holiday Charity Drive runs from December 1st to December 22nd. The full list of drop-off locations is: