Christmas

PHOTOS: The tree lighting ceremony lit up Michigan Avenue as people ice skated, shopped, sipped hot chocolate and braved the cold night.

You can drop off your tree to be recycled into mulch at any of 27 locations starting Jan. 8. Trees will be accepted until Jan. 22.

A gentler holiday tale of Capone has emerged, with the gangster taking on the role of jolly old St. Nick instead of Prohibition kingpin. But is it true?

“This is also a way for me, in the times we’re living, to make something heartwarming. Something that can bring other people joy for a moment,” the neighbor who created the display said.

"I wish that we were not seeing this big surge right on top of the holidays, but we are," Dr. Allison Arwady said. Here are ways you can keep yourself and loved ones safe.

The holiday on Saturday will see cloudy skies, and there's a chance for rain.

From local events to national interviews, Chicago's favorite Black Santa is still booked and busy.

Some of Chicago's most beloved bakeries have to start making cookies weeks before the holidays because demand is so high. Check out a few of their recipes.

PHOTOS: Chicagoans have decorated their blocks with hundreds of lights, candy canes and blow-up snowmen as they prepare for Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year's.

Servants For Hope, founded by Englewood native Deonte Tanner, hopes to raise $20,000 to serve families in the community this Christmas.

Marillac St. Vincent needs volunteers and donations of holiday gifts, baby products and food for their annual Christmas Store.

“It keeps me going when I see people coming and taking pictures,” said Isabel Hernandez of her festive lights. “All the pain and work, it’s worth it.”

Jefferson Park neighbors are loving a giant Christmas tree that has lit up the corner of North Meade Avenue and West Argyle Street, rotating steadily from the home's first floor to the roof.

Youth organization Kidz Korna is trying to replace more than $50,000 worth of gifts meant for South Side kids and adults after someone stole the shipping container they were in.

The Benavides family, of Logan Square, has donated a 51-foot blue spruce from their Logan Square yard to be lit up during the holidays in Millennium Park.

There is still time for people to get fully vaccinated before Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, Dr. Allison Arwady said.

The station traditionally plays only Christmas music November through January.

Roseland Community Hospital and local partners have events lined up from October to December to support local families.

You can drop off your tree at any of the city's locations starting Jan. 9. Trees will be accepted until Jan. 23.