Despite a bit of rain earlier in the evening, crowds came out Friday for the Tinley Park tree lighting night in Harmony Square.

The event capped off a big year for the village’s downtown area as Harmony Square, opened in July, was a $38 million project and is the keystone to an ambitious downtown development.

Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz speaks Friday night at the Harmony Square tree lighting ceremony. (Jesse Wright/for the Daily Southtown)
Crowds applaud as the Tinley Park Christmas tree is lit for the season Nov. 21, 2025 in Harmony Square. (Jesse Wright/for the Daily Southtown)

Harmony Square includes retail, restaurants, residential, a concert venue and, as of Friday, both a Christmas tree and an ice-skating rink. All of that was on full display at the tree lighting, plus food trucks.

This is the first year the Christmas tree lighting has been held at Harmony Square. In years past it was across the street at Zabrocki Plaza.

“It isn’t just the talk of the town, but the whole region,” Mayor Michael Glotz said before the ceremony.

Glotz was surrounded by city staff and family on the new performance stage. Nearby, diners enjoyed pizza and burgers in heated igloos on Durbin’s patio and high up on the balcony, overlooking the whole scene.

The ice-skating rink served as a centerpiece. Still wet and pockmarked by puddles from a recent rain, the rink twinkled under Christmas lights while families strolled about displays and loitered by surrounding firepits.

“It’s really nice,” said Mary McCann, who said this was her first time attending the Tinley Park tree lighting. “It’s really, really nice.”

The ice rink experience, which offers skate rentals, will be open from 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays; 5-10 p.m. Fridays; 4-10 p.m. Saturdays; and 4-9 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 15, except on holidays. A holiday light show is scheduled to begin in early December in the plaza.

“It’s going to provide fun for families for years to come,” Glotz said.

Abby Nabavarrete with Reina del Pozole hands out hot plates of food. Crowds lined up for the food trucks and Durbins, a restaurant on Harmony Square, had a two-hour wait time early in the evening. (Jesse Wright/for the Daily Southtown)

Harmony Square hit the right notes for some.

“I love this,” said Iveth Flores, who’s no stranger to past tree lightings. “I love the ice-skating rink and the firepits. In the winter you can feel so trapped inside, so I’m looking forward for stuff like this to do. This is going to be very popular.”

Those who didn’t get a chance to make it out will have more chances this season to see the tree and get a taste of Harmony Square.

The village’s Holiday Happenings will run from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Harmony Square, featuring live music, Santa Claus, carriage rides, a parade of lights and, of course, skating.

Jesse Wright is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/23/tinley-park-tree-lighting-harmony-square/