The Chicago Police Department says that at least seven people have been injured following a shooting near the Chicago Theater in downtown Chicago.

"The City of Chicago’s holiday and winter season events ramp up in the city this weekend with gatherings and increased traffic and travel throughout the city," The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications said in a release, adding that motorists, residents and visitors should be aware of increased crowds.

The excitement is building in Millennium Park, where Chicago will light up the city’s official Christmas tree for the season on Friday night. Joe Donlon and Irika Sargent will be the emcees again this year,

Holiday magic fills Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater this December with the return of Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol for a limited run, December 12-28.

The city is bursting with merriment this time of year and we’ve rounded up the best festivities, in order to make planning the perfect holiday outing a little less dizzying.