Two girls decorate a Christmas tree at a holiday celebration at Austin Town Hall Park, 1951Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 003_025_001
Decorating a tree for the birds in Burnham Park, 1952Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 006_029_006
Tree decorating at Palmer Park, undatedSource: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 087_012_004
Children decorate a Christmas tree in Chicago’s parks, undatedSource: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 119_005_005
Holiday celebration at McGuane Park, circa 1935Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 080_031_001
Santa greeting children in Columbus Park, 1972Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 014_034_004
Three girls showcase their holiday crafts in Columbus Park, undatedSource: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 014_034_010
Holiday crafts at Wilson Park, 1950Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 107_014_003
Holiday celebrations at Palmer Park, 1937Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 087_012_001
Santa and his reindeer collection toy donations during Christmas Toy Week in Gage Park, 1936Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 021_018_004
“Santa” greets a young visitor at Lincoln Park Zoo, 1938 December 23Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 056_030_002
Polar bears on the move through Lincoln Park Zoo, 1982Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 056_030_017
Singing at Lincoln Park Zoo, 1982Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 056_030_011
Women’s Christmas party at Independence Park, 1938Source: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 045_004_009
Boy Scouts observe a nativity display at Revere Park, undatedSource: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 092_028_001
Children perform a nativity play in Chicago’s parks, undatedSource: Chicago Park District: Photographs, 119_005_003
I can tell by the number of holiday lights in my neighborhood, and the decorated trees I see in windows, that lots of folks jumped into the holiday spirit a little earlier this year. It's reassuring to see that even in this difficult year, there are still celebrations to share, even if from a distance.
Sharing holiday spirit and festive activities has gone on throughout Chicago's parks for decades. The Chicago Park District collections in the Special Collections and Preservation Division at Harold Washington Library Center include more than 62,000 photographs that showcase activities and celebrations in the parks. Among them are many holiday celebrations, from Valentine's Day and Arbor Day, to Mother's Day and Labor Day, to Halloween and Thanksgiving. In December, Christmas celebrations took place in many local parks. Chicagoans celebrated the season with tree trimmings, craft activities, singing and parties.
As you cozy up at home this year, we hope you enjoy this selection of holiday photographs from Chicago's parks. To see more photos of the parks, explore the Chicago Park District Digital Collections.
Season's greetings!
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