Chicago goes all out for Christmas. If you take the Red Line subway and get off at State and Washington, you emerge in front of Marshall Fields. (Note: all photos taken with the Olympus digital Camedia E10.)

Holiday trumpets and Marshall Fields famous landmark clock greet you on the way up.

Even downtown subway exits themselves receive a holiday garnish.

A few days before Christmas, State street bustles. The approaching trolley offers shoppers and tourists free rides to Chicago's shopping districts and popular attractions.

For the holidays to the delight of children (and most adults), Marshall Fields transforms its windows into an enchanting visual story. Last year thewindows depicted Harry Potter scenes.This year the scenes illustrated 'Twas the Night before Christmas. Mom (lower left) is explaining the first window in the series to her kids. However, you can see below, Marshall fields fancifully  dedicates a couple of its windows to the joy of shopping.

Inside Marshall Fields, a huge, elaborate display fills the central atrium. Below, Picasso's famous sculpture at Daily Center overlooks the city's own Christmas tree.

And in Illinois center, the State's offices in Chicago, the State's own Christmas tree decorates the atrium.

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North of the Loop you find the famous Magnificent Mile which many claim is the most exclusive shopping district in the world. Here are the landmark shopping attractions of Sony, Nike, Nieman Marcus, Bloomingdales, and Water Tower Place. Tourists come from around the world to shop and enjoy the imaginative displays