Take back control of time
Modern life can often feel busy, with time seemingly passing at an ever-faster rate. With the approach of the festive season, The Peninsula Hotels – the home of Christmas – is encouraging guests and visitors alike to practice mindfulness by slowing down, reflecting and enjoying the present moment while surrounded by those they love.
To help, the luxury hotel brand today announced a calendar of fun activities and experiences for all to enjoy – including bountiful brunches brimming with festive fare; celebratory cocktails
crafted by on-site mixologists; gingerbread making classes led by each hotels’ professional pastry chefs; and live story-telling sessions of The Peninsula’s digital storybook for children
‘The Gingerbread Man’s Tale,’ available to download on a complimentary basis via Peninsula.com’s festive webpage from mid-October this year.
Putting the spice back into life
The protagonist of this year’s story – which has been specially written for The Peninsula Hotels – is the Gingerbread Man. A familiar sight hanging within decorated trees, the Gingerbread Man represents the ‘Stories from within the Tree’ chapter of The Peninsula Hotels’ three-year festive campaign titled ‘Stories from the Tree’. After kicking-off ‘Stories from Under the Tree’ last year and closing with ‘Stories from the Tree Top’ next year, this year’s theme is about sharing the joy and fun of the season. In line with this, the magic of the festive season is celebrated at each of the ten Peninsula hotels around the globe with giant Christmas trees erected in the grand lobbies, and resplendent
decorations on view for all to enjoy.
A time of reflection Often, the joy and fun of the season is felt most strongly by the children in our lives. In support
of those less fortunate, the six ‘Stories from the tree’ characters will be available to purchase at each hotel in the form of tree decorations and pins, with US$ 5 from each purchase being
donated to a local youth charity with a focus on empowerment programs.
This year, The Peninsula Chicago has chosen the Chicago Public Library Foundation, which supports literacy efforts and empowerment programs in the local community. Magnificent Mile Lights Festival This legendary annual parade in Chicago celebrates one of the ‘Great Avenues of the World.’ The parade started 28 years ago and illuminates the buildings and trees that line Michigan
Avenue one block at a time along the Magnificent Mile. The festival, signifying the official start of the holiday season in Chicago, is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving on November 23, 2019, and draws more than 1 million attendees. The parade starts at Oak Street at 5:30 pm and proceeds southbound on Michigan Avenue (passing The Peninsula Chicago), concluding at 7:00 pm at the Chicago River with a spectacular firework display.
For those holiday celebrants interested in being a part of the season’s kick-off celebration, The Peninsula Chicago offers a number of ways to join in: Z Bar, overlooking Michigan Avenue, is an ideal rooftop location from which to view the Magnificent Mile parade. Guests may contact Z Bar’s private events team via [email protected] to secure the private space for up to 12 guest for this annual tradition.
• Pierrot Gourmet, the European-style, street-side cafe located on The Peninsula
Chicago’s ground floor, will offer a variety of “To-Go” items for parade
attendees. Located a block from the heart of the parade route at the corner of Rush and Superior Streets, Pierrot Gourmet provides a welcome respite with warm beverages and snacks, including: hot chocolate, coffee, candied apples, turkey drumsticks, and chocolate and caramel spiced beignets. Even Peter Bear, the hotel’s mascot, will pay a visit. This “rest stop” for parade attendees has become a part of the annual parade route for fans.
The Peninsula Sky Rink
Returning for its eighth season, The Peninsula Sky Rink opens Saturday, November 23, coinciding with the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. The 2,100 sq ft (200 sq m) hybrid rink is the only hotel skating rink in Chicago. Located above Chicago’s bustling Michigan Avenue, The Terrace is the ideal setting for the hotel’s seasonal skating rink. Surrounded by Chicago’s skyscrapers and twinkling lights, the rink is tucked into a pine tree winter wonderland and bathed in festive music and snowflake lighting. The skating rink’s outdoor menu features a
selection of hot beverages and snacks including hot chocolate, hot cider, and other treats, and is available for groups to rent or for private events (such as marriage proposals). All monies
collected include skate rental (US$ 20 for adults and US$ 10 for children 12 and under) and are donated to two Chicago children’s charities: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, and Hephzibah Children’s Association.