Christmas is hands down my favorite holiday! I love everything about this time of year (minus the cold temps) and try to do as many Christmas related activities as possible during the month of December. The nice thing about living in a big city is there is always something going on and there is something to please just about everyone (unless you’re the Grinch). 😉
Today I am rounding up a list of Holiday Events in Chicago for you to enjoy this season.
Christkindlmarket – Located in Daley Plaza and inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, the Christkindlmarket is a free outdoor Christmas festival where you can sip on some Gleuhwein in a souvenir mug while enjoying German food and shopping for handmade gifts and ornaments. You can also take a picture with Chicago’s official Christmas tree as well as visit with Santa.
Macy’s Windows – Each year Macy’s creates beautiful window displays for Christmas. It’s so fun to walk around and look at the windows while following the story they tell.
Walnut Room/Great Tree – Another thing to do while you’re at Macy’s is ride the escalators up to the 7th floor and dine at The Walnut Room. The Walnut Room has been a Chicago tradition since 1907 and is the first restaurant ever to open in a department store. The waits are always pretty long to eat here so if you don’t have time to wait, you can still go see the Great Tree located in the center of the restaurant.
A Christmas Carol – Each year The Goodman Theatre puts on a production of A Christmas Carol. This is a fun tradition to do each year and is located just a couple of blocks from Macy’s so you could even have dinner at The Walnut Room beforehand.
Ride the CTA Holiday Train – Every year the CTA decorates different trains with thousands of lights and other decorations while Santa and his elves ride the train passing out candy canes! For only $2.25 per ride, this is a fun way to get in the holiday spirit!
Lincoln Park ZooLights – Bundle up and walk around the zoo and enjoy all of the festive light displays! The Lincoln Park Zoo has free admission so this is a great activity for kids and adults!
Ice Skating at Millennium Park – Who doesn’t love to ice skate in the winter? Admission is free and skate rentals are $12! You can also head over to the new Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon which opens this Saturday. The park is a quarter-mile track that will also offer free admission with $12 skate rentals.
Caroling at Cloud Gate – Every Friday at 6 PM, a different choir performs an hour of Christmas carols at “The Bean”. This is located right above the ice skating rink so would be a fun thing to see before/after skating.
Navy Pier Winter Wonderfest – There is an indoor ice skating rink as well as more than 25 other rides and activities for kids. For full access, the cost is $22.50 or $3.75 will get you general admission with access to a handful of rides including the Reindeer Express Train Ride.
Holiday Tea at The Drake – Experience the tradition of afternoon tea while a harpist plays and carolers visit tables singing Christmas songs. For $42, this is a fun afternoon activity for a girls’ day.
Hot Chocolate Bar at Nomi – Located right off Michigan Avenue in the Park Hyatt Hotel, this is a great way to warm up and take a break from all of your Christmas shopping. For $10 per mug, you can add as many (or few) toppings to make your perfect cup!
Christmas Around the World – The Museum of Science and Industry’s annual exhibit features more than 50 trees and displays to reflect different countries’ culture and holiday traditions. Admission to the museum is $18 per adult and $11 per child.
Music Box Christmas Show – Each year the Music Box Theatre shows a double feature of White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life with a sing along of Christmas carols between shows. For $20 you can see both features or $13 for just one.
Last but not least, if you feel like taking a drive, head north of the city to Winnetka and visit the McCallister family at the Home Alone house. 🙂
What are some of your favorite holiday activities in your city?
Sara says
Such great picks! I love Zoo Lights and the Holiday Train
Paige says
Thanks, Sara! Those are two of my favorites too! 🙂
xo Paige
Caitlin Elizabeth @ This Brunette Life says
I love all of these, they look so festive and fun! I’ve always wanted to visit Chicago!!
Paige says
Thanks, Caitlin! Chicago is definitely a fun place to live especially during the holidays! If you ever have a chance to visit, I would recommend coming in summer though 🙂
xo Paige
Sara @ Lake Shore Runner says
I need to get to the Zoo Lights!
Paige says
It’s the perfect free holiday activity! 🙂
xo Paige
Kelly says
Loved reading about everything!
Can’t wait until Kate and Claire are old enough to enjoy some of these things!
Paige says
That will be so much fun when they get a little bit older! I can’t wait to watch them grow up!
xo Paige
Kristy says
Stop.ping by from the link-up. I want to do EVERYTHING! we have very little as far as that type of stuff goes in the area that I live and I’m slightly jealous lol
Paige says
There is definitely never a lack of things to do here, that’s for sure! If you ever have a chance to visit Chicago around Christmas, I would highly recommend it! 🙂
xo Paige
joey says
Ahh! So many fun holiday events!! I’m jealous!
Paige says
Head up north and join in on the fun! 🙂
xo Paige
Shelby says
I mean, there is just nothing comparable to a big city at Christmas time! I don’t know how you pick and choose ha. I’d want to do it all!
Paige says
Me too!! It’s so hard to find time to fit it all in!
xo Paige
Kristin says
I love the Macy’s windows. Christmas time in New York makes you feel like you’re at the center of the Christmas world.
Paige says
The Macy’s windows are one of my favorite things each year! I would love to visit NYC at Christmas – it’s on my wish list of things to do! 🙂
xo Paige