Tree Lighting, Santa, Toy Drive at Wrigley Field Friday

More than 10,000 people flocked to Wrigley Field’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony last year, and this year, the Chicago Cubs are hoping it’ll be even bigger.

This Friday at 5 p.m., the Chicago Cubs are hosting their second annual holiday event under the Wrigley Field Marquee, complete with a tree lighting ceremony, ice-skating, a visit from Santa and more. What’s more is the event – and the hot chocolate – are totally free.

“Though baseball season is over, another exciting off-season is just beginning,” wrote the Cubs in a neighborhood announcement. “This year, Chicago Cubs Charities will kick off the holiday season with day-long activities for fans and Lakeview residents at Wrigley Field, Nov. 30.”

Along with Cubs outfielder David DeJesus and his family helping to light the massive tree, the Cubs are partnering with WGN Morning News to host a “Drive-Thru Toy Drive.”

Starting Nov. 25 until the night of the event, residents can bring unwrapped toys to the Cubs’ administrative office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help area children in need. All the fans who donate will receive a free pass to the Rink at Wrigley, a full-sized ice skating rink at the Cubs parking lot at the corner of Clark and Waveland.

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All toy donations will be donated to Jennifer Hudson’s Julian D. King Gift Foundation.

Patch will even be at Friday’s event snapping photos, so be sure to smile!

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