If the Michigan Avenue tree lighting ceremony is too claustrophobic for you, but you still want to do something festive to celebrate the season, do it neighborhood-style and check out the tree lighting events going on today in Lincoln Square. From 11:30AM-3:30PM a horse-drawn sled will pick you up from one of four locations (Leland/Damen, Wilson/Lincoln, Rockwell/Leland, Giddings Plaza [4731 N. Lincoln Avenue]). Various Lincoln Square shops will be accepting holiday donations for various charities.

At 3:30 enjoy the Queen of Angels choir singing holiday tunes in Giddings Plaza, and for the grand finale, the lighting of the tree takes place at 4:00PM in the Plaza.

Check out the Lincoln Square website for details and for other holiday events. And make sure you bundle up!