Join the festivities during the 89th Annual City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, which takes place 4 p.m., Friday, November 29 at Daley Plaza and Block 37 (located at Washington and Dearborn streets in Chicago). With the flip of a switch, Mayor Richard M. Daley will put the sparkle in Chicago’s holiday season. Free Admission.

The City of Chicago’s Holiday Tree is made of many smaller Balsam Fir trees and is decorated with dozens of lights, ornaments and holiday bows. The tree is the heart of an authentic holiday marketplace.

The much-anticipated Christkindlmarket Chicago 2002 returns to Daley Plaza, November 29 through December 23. This authentic German market is modeled after those of Germany in 1545. There will be a sneak preview from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day (November 28). Free Admission.

Schnitzel, homemade soup, apple cider, European chocolates, hand-blown glassware, silver jewelry, wooden toys, candles, lace, tree ornaments, giftware and handicrafts are just some of the items you will find. To add to the holiday cheer, local singers, choirs and musicians will perform around lunchtime everyday!

The Christkindlmarket hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call the German American Chamber of Commerce of Chicago: (312) 644-2662 or visit the website at gaccom.org

Visit Santa Claus and his friends at Santa’s House on Daley Plaza, hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., beginning November 29 to December 23. Take pictures or purchase a photo memento of the occasion. Please note, Santa takes a break to feed his reindeer from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. everyday. Santa House hours on Thanksgiving Day (November 28), and on December 24, are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 3rd Annual Ethnic Market Chicago will open on Daley Plaza (Clark and Washington streets), beginning Friday December 27 through December 31. Daily hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (hours are subject to change). Great Holiday gifts! Items available are representative of the arts and crafts from the various continents. Enjoy a warm and comfortable atmosphere as you shop indoors at the timber house.

This New Year's Eve, the skies above Chicago will glow as the city celebrates the New Year. A spectacular fireworks presentation promises to illuminate the laefront skies above Buckingham Fountain.

Viewers are asked to gather at 11:40 p.m. at Buckingham Fountain (located at Congress Parkway and Columbus Drive in Chicago) in order to witness a pyrotechnic wonder that features a fountain style countdown to the new year. At midnight, an explosion of fire and light will continue above the lakefront at Monroe Harbor.

A compilation of music including rock, pop and classical will predede the Buckingham Fountain countdown to midnight. Admission is free.

New Year's at Navy Pier, December 31. Ring in the year 2003 at Navy Pier with Fireworks and a Chicago-style Ferris wheel countdown.