You walk into Daley Plaza in late November, and something feels weird. The smell of roasted nuts from Christkindlmarket is there. The "Picasso" sculpture is definitely still there, looking as confusing as ever. But for a lot of people who grew up in Chicago, there’s a giant, evergreen-shaped hole in the middle of it all. People still call it the Daley Plaza Christmas tree, even though the "Official" city tree hasn't actually lived there since 2015.
It’s one of those weird Chicago things. Like calling the Willis Tower "Sears" or insisting that ketchup is a crime. We’re protective of our landmarks. Even the ones that moved.
For nearly 50 years, Daley Plaza was the place. If you wanted to see the city light up, you went to 50 W. Washington St. It didn't matter if it was freezing. You stood there by the fountain, huddled against the wind, waiting for a switch to be flipped. Now, the official tree is over at Millennium Park near Michigan Avenue. But if you talk to any local over thirty, they’ll tell you the heart of the tradition is still tucked between the government buildings of the Loop.
The Wild Era of the "Frankentree"
Honestly, the history of this tree is kind of a mess.
Before 2009, the city didn't just find one big tree. They built one. It was basically a massive metal cone that city workers stuffed with dozens of smaller trees to make it look perfect. We’re talking over 100 individual trees sometimes. In 2008, the Daley Plaza Christmas tree was actually a "Frankentree" made of 113 separate trees. It stood 85 feet tall and looked like something out of a Hallmark movie—perfectly symmetrical and impossibly lush.
Then, a local news investigation by CBS 2's Pam Zekman changed everything.
It turns out, building a giant fake-real tree is incredibly expensive. That 2008 masterpiece cost taxpayers about $300,000. People were not happy. This was right in the middle of a massive economic recession. The city was struggling, and spending six figures on a tree-building project felt... well, a bit much.
The next year, Mayor Richard M. Daley (the guy the plaza is named after) made a call. No more Frankentrees. From then on, the city would use one single, donated tree from the surrounding area.
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What it Takes to Be "The One"
Ever wonder how a random backyard tree becomes a celebrity? The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) actually has a strict checklist. You can’t just nominate any old bush.
- Height: It has to be at least 45 feet tall. (Used to be 55, but they’ve loosened up a bit).
- Location: The tree needs to be within 50 miles of the Chicago Loop.
- Species: No pines allowed. They aren't sturdy enough to hold the lights. They look for Norway Spruces or Fir trees.
- Backstory: They love a good family story. It’s usually a tree that a family has watched grow for 40 or 50 years until it finally got too big for their yard.
The Mason family from Glenview donated the 2025 tree—a 66-foot Norway Spruce. It’s heavy, too. We’re talking about six tons of wood and needles. When you see it in person, you realize just how massive these things are. It’s not just a decoration; it’s a structural engineering project.
Why People Can't Let Go of the Plaza
So, why do people still associate the tree with Daley Plaza if it moved to Millennium Park a decade ago?
It’s mostly because of the Christkindlmarket. The German-style holiday market is the biggest draw in the city during December. Because the market stayed at Daley Plaza, people naturally expect the tree to be there too.
There’s also the nostalgia factor. The Daley Plaza Christmas tree moved there in 1966. For almost half a century, that was the backdrop for every "first Christmas" photo and every awkward engagement. Transitioning to Millennium Park felt like a corporate move to some. Millennium Park is flashy. It’s got the Bean. It’s got the skating rink. But Daley Plaza? That’s "Old Chicago."
The 1982 Blunder
There was actually one year before the permanent move where the tree disappeared from the plaza. In 1982, they tried moving it to State and Wacker. It was a total flop. People hated it. The tradition felt disjointed, and the city moved it right back to the plaza the following year.
That’s probably why the move in 2015 was such a huge debate. It wasn't just about location; it was about the identity of the Loop.
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The Logistics of a 6-Ton Evergreen
Moving a tree this size is a nightmare. Honestly, I don't know how the crews do it without losing their minds.
Once a tree is selected, a crew has to go to the donor's house. They don't just chop it down like you do at a farm. They have to use cranes to hold it upright while they cut the base so it doesn't crash into the donor's roof. Then, they wrap the branches—which can have a spread of 25 or 30 feet—down to about 12 feet so it can fit on a flatbed truck.
They usually bring it into the city in the middle of the night. Why? Because trying to navigate a 70-foot trailer through Chicago traffic is a recipe for disaster.
Once it's in place, the decorating begins. For the current tree, we're talking:
- 39,250 feet of lights. That’s almost 8 miles of wiring.
- 119,000 LED bulbs. They use LEDs now because the old incandescent bulbs used to pull so much power they could practically dim the streetlights.
- A massive star. The topper is usually the first thing that goes on once the tree is upright.
How to Do the "Tree Crawl" Right
If you're heading downtown to see the holiday sights, don't just stop at one spot. Since the official tree moved, you kind of have to do a little walking tour to get the full experience.
Start at Daley Plaza. Even without the "Official" tree, there are usually smaller trees decorated by various groups, and the Christkindlmarket has its own festive greenery. Grab a souvenir mug of Glühwein (the hot mulled wine) first. You’ll need it for the walk.
Then, head east on Washington Street toward Millennium Park. It’s about a 10-minute walk. You’ll find the actual official tree standing near Michigan and Washington. It’s usually framed perfectly by the skyscrapers.
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Wait until the top of the hour. The lights usually do something special, or the nearby speakers will start playing carols. It’s crowded, sure. But there’s a moment when the wind dies down and the lights reflect off the snow where you finally get why people make such a big deal out of this every year.
Real Talk: Is It Worth the Hype?
Look, some people think it’s just a big plant with lights. And maybe they're right. But in a city that can get as grey and bitter as Chicago in December, you need something that glows.
Whether you call it the Daley Plaza Christmas tree or the Millennium Park tree, the point is the same. It’s a marker of time. It’s a signal that the year is wrapping up and, for a few weeks, the city is going to try to be a little more "magical" than usual.
If you're planning to visit, here’s the smart way to do it:
- Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Seriously. Friday and Saturday nights are a mosh pit of tourists and strollers.
- Check the "L" schedule. Parking in the Loop during the holidays is a scam. Take the Blue or Red line to Washington or Lake. You’ll be right there.
- Bring a backup battery. Cold weather kills phone batteries, and you’re going to want to take about fifty photos of those 8 miles of lights.
The tree stays up until just after the new year—usually around January 7th or 8th. After that, the city recycles it. They turn the official tree into mulch that gets used in the Chicago Park District. It’s a nice, circular ending for a tree that spent its whole life in a suburban backyard before becoming the most famous evergreen in Illinois.
Next Steps for Your Visit
To make the most of your trip to see the tree, check the official City of Chicago (DCASE) website for the exact date of the lighting ceremony if you want to see the fireworks. If you prefer avoiding the crowds, aim to visit between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on a weekday when the Loop is busy with workers but the tourist rush hasn't hit yet.