Chicago seeks Christmas tree nominations by Oct. 23 for Millennium Park display

Chicago is inviting area tree owners to nominate a tree for the city’s 2026 Christmas display in Millennium Park. Submissions are due Oct. 23, giving residents an opportunity to contribute the centerpiece of a downtown holiday gathering, according to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The selected tree will be featured at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 20. The event will take place in Millennium Park near North Michigan Avenue and East Washington Street. For Chicago residents planning their holiday outings, the announcement provides both a ceremony date and a chance to participate before the display takes shape.

The city’s stated criteria call for a tree that is 45 feet tall and located less than 50 miles from the Loop. Officials prefer a Norway spruce or a fir. Owners considering an entry should check those size and distance requirements before putting together their submission; the search extends beyond trees growing within Chicago itself.

Entries should be sent by email to DCASE@CityofChicago.org. Owners need to provide their name, address, telephone number and email address. The submission also needs a short explanation of why their tree would be a good choice to represent Chicago as its official Christmas tree, allowing owners to share what makes their candidate distinctive.

Photographs are another required part of the entry. Each submission must include at least two images: one showing the tree from a distance and another showing it close up. Together with the owner’s contact information and brief description, those photographs make up the requested nomination materials. Owners who want their tree considered should send the complete package by Oct. 23.