Chicago Selects Campton Hills Spruce for Christmas Tree
The nearly 50-foot Norway spruce, donated by the Clark family, will be the city's 113th Christmas tree.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Seasonal Events
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Chicago has selected a nearly 50-foot Norway spruce from Campton Hills as its 2026 Christmas tree. The tree will be cut, hoisted by crane, and transported to Millennium Park.
Why it matters
The selection continues Chicago's tradition of annual holiday trees, which has drawn donations from across the region. Residents downtown will see the tree as a seasonal centerpiece in Millennium Park.
This year's spruce is shorter than the 2025 Glenview tree at 68 feet but taller than the 2024 and 2023 trees. Details on transport costs and the final installation schedule were not provided.
The players
Clark family
The family donated the Norway spruce from their property in Campton Hills, Illinois, to the city of Chicago.
The details
The tree, donated by the Clark family of Campton Hills, west of St. Charles, will be cut and hoisted by crane before transport to Chicago. It will be decorated and lit at a tree-lighting ceremony in Millennium Park.
Timeline
Nov. 2, 2026: Tree is cut, hoisted by crane, and prepared for transport.
Nov. 20, 2026, 6 p.m.: Tree-lighting ceremony in Millennium Park.
Jan. 10, 2027: Tree display period ends.
Seasonal Patterns
The 2026 selection follows a sequence of trees from Glenview in 2025, Logan Square in 2024, and Darien in 2023, each sourced from a different Chicago-area community. This year's tree is shorter than the 68-foot Glenview spruce but taller than the Darien and Logan Square trees.
Chicagoans can view the illuminated tree in Millennium Park at no cost during the display period through Jan. 10. The ceremony on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. offers an opportunity to see the lighting in person.
The takeaway
Residents planning holiday outings downtown can plan a visit to Millennium Park around the Nov. 20 lighting ceremony to see the tree in person.
What happens next
The tree-lighting ceremony in Millennium Park is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2026, at 6 p.m., and the display runs through Jan. 10, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more in Seasonal Events coverage for Chicago.
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