Work off those Thanksgiving pounds with a stroll to Daley Plaza to see the 91st Annual City of Chicago Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, November 26, 2004 at Daley Plaza. The excitement begins at 4:00 p.m. with holiday music. Bring your family and friends, and share this wonderful tradition as thousands wait in anticipation for Chicago’s Holiday Tree to light up the night. The holiday festivities at Daley Plaza are FREE admission

Thanksgiving Day also includes a Sneak Preview of Santa Claus at Daley Plaza. Children can visit with St. Nick from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.. Regular hours for Santa begin on Friday, November 26, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. with a one-hour break each day at 3 p.m. Santa’s final day will be Christmas Eve with his visits ending at 4 p.m. Professional photos are available for purchase for $4.00.

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 lakefront 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 precede the Buckingham Fountain countdown to midnight. Admission is free.