Things to Do in Chicago during the Holidays

Happy Holidays ! – It’s time to celebrate the holiday season with exciting activities in Chicago. Believe me, our Chicago city has plenty of things to do during holiday season. I must say regardless of weather conditions, Chicagoans are always ready for joy and fun during holiday season. Chicago city has lot more to offer than we think of, including fine dining, shopping, museums, theaters, arts, attractions and holiday events for the holiday season. Holiday season starts towards end of November and run through first week of January. Following are list of things to do and see during holiday season in Chicago.

Christkindlmarket Chicago

When: November (Friday before Thanksgiving) – December 24
Where: Daley Plaza – 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

Christkindlmarket in Chicago is one of the best things to do in holidays. Christkindlmarket is inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nueremberg, Germany. Market opens on November 18th every year and closes on December 24th. Market features unique shopping experience with German food and drinks filled with lot of activities for family entertainment. You are assured to feel like you are in small town of Europe! I would say christkindlmarket has become part of Chicago, no kidding it is not only just German tradition, but also Chicagoans favorite destination during holiday season. More Info

Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo

When: Thanksgiving Weekend – January 1st – 4:30–9 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo

Perfect family friendly things to do in Chicago during holiday season. Zoo lights at Lincoln Park Zoo is scheduled to open for public during Thanksgiving weekend and closes on January 1st every year. Admission to ZooLights is open and free to all except certain days when special events are scheduled. On special events days, admission is open only with admission tickets. I would recommend you to check with Lincoln Park zoo before you plan to visit. At Zoo, your family can take photos with Santa through December 23, so look at your best to click some pictures with Santa. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo features free crafts for children, unique educational chats, holiday snacks, carousel, train rides, musical light shows, 3D displays, live ice-sculpture carving and many similar activities that your family can enjoy. More Info

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

When: Weekend before Thanksgiving for two days
Where: Magnificent Mile – Michigan Ave in Downtown Chicago

Magnificent Mile light festival is famous holiday activity to kick-off the holiday season. Family friendly festival features tons of activities including light shows, tree lighting, parade, concert, fireworks over the Chicago river and many similar kids friendly activities on Michigan ave in downtown Chicago. A grand Tree-Lighting Parade down Michigan Avenue marshaled by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida has been favorite among young kids. Overall everyone is assured to have great time !
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Christmas Carol

When: Week before Thanksgiving through December 31st
Where: Goodman Theater, Chicago IL

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of the best holiday tradition for Chicagoans. Event is scheduled to start weekend before the Thanksgiving and ends on December 31st. Celebrate the holiday spirit with A Christmas Carol – yup, Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with Chicago’ favorite holiday tradition with “A Christmas Carol”. I highly recommend you to at least go once for A Christmas Carol and start sharing holiday tradition. Show is full of music and stage magic that anyone can enjoy during holiday season in Chicago. Find out more info

The Nutcracker by Christopher Wheeldon

When: December
Where: Auditorium Theatre – Roosevelt University, 50 E Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL

The Nutcracker is one of the best holiday traditions that you do not want to miss during holiday season. The Nutcracker is performed by The Joffrey Ballet. It has been on media as one of the best holiday traditions. Chicago Tribune said “It is Majestic And Intoxicating”. It is way to celebrate our city with holiday tale. Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon and live music by the Chicago Philharmonic. more info

A Charlie Brown Christmas

When: November Mid – January First Week
Where: Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower

Best holiday things to do in Chicago for families with kids ages between 3 to 13. A Charlie Brwon Christmas is one of the favorite shows in Chicago featuring Peanuts pals, who dig pas the commercialized gimmicks of presents and decorations to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. You are assured to get the holiday spirit in life with A Charlie Brown Christmas show. It is scheduled for 45 minutes without intermission.

The McCormic Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park

When: Mid November through March
Where: The Millennium Park on Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Going out with your friends and family for ice skating at The McCormic Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is one of the best winter and holiday traditions in Chicago. Ice Rink is open to public starting November 3rd week through March first week considering weather conditions. Every year hundreds of thousands of Chicago locals and tourists come to The McCormic Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. During weekends place offers free skating lessons on hour before the rink opens for public use. If you do not own or carrying skating gears then you can rent them at the place. I would recommend you to check operating hours before planning to put it on your holiday things to do in Chicago. More Info

Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier

When: December Through January First Week
Where: Navy Pier, Chicago IL

Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier starts during first week of December and ends first week of January. You and your family can have great time doing activities at this indoor winter fest. Place is like an indoor amusement park featuring 170000 square feet of rides, slides, ice rink and many similar activities. Perfect for holiday season outing for families in Chicago. Holiday decor, treats and drinks at the Winter WonderFest are perfect for holiday mood! Admission to the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier is not FREE, there are different kinds of discounts available based on number of people in your group. Check out possible savings detail and more information before you plan to go to the Winter WonderFest during holidays.

Christmas Around the World

When: November through December 26
Where: The Museum of Science Chicago

Started in 1942 with a single Christmas tree, today it has become very famous among people. Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science Chicago features a floor-to-dome Grand Tree, surrounded by approximately 50 small trees. These trees are decorated by volunteers from different community groups in Chicago, sharing their culture and way of celebrating holidays. There are many activities such as performances, ethnic performances and more during weekends. You can also take photo with Santa at the Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Lights in the Museum of Science Chicago. More Info

Holiday Lights Tour

When: Last Week of November – December 26
Where: Chicago Trolley and Double Decker Bus Company | Chicago, Ill.
Several pick-up and drop-off spots around Chicago

One of the best ways to see holiday lights in Chicago. Tour features 2.5 hour trolley ride showcasing holiday lights on the Magnificent Mile, state street, and Navy Pier’s Winter Wonderfest. Trolley makes two stops during the tour for your entertainment at Lincoln Park Zoo Lights and the Christkindlmarket. Complimentary holiday treats are offered during the tour.
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Holiday Shopping

Magnificent Mile
Plan a day out for holiday shopping on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. You will enjoy shopping at variety of shops at the Water Tower Place, Bloomingdale,, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and many similar places on Magnificent Mile. Shop Magnificent Mile this holiday season!

Macy’s on State Street
Macy’s on State Street is one of the largest historic store and has been on the National Register of Historic Places and A National Historic Landmark. Store features 12 floors of shopping area including wide options for dining. I would say perfect to boost your holiday spirit.

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