Chicago is magical at Christmastime. The city is a winter wonderland adorned with twinkling lights, soaring Christmas trees, bustling crowds and enough holiday experiences to put even Scrooge into the Christmas spirit.
Here are the ways my family celebrates Christmas in Chicago.
Read More: Top Places to Visit in December
1. Chicago’s Christmas Tree
The city’s Christmas tree stands along Michigan Avenue in Millennium Park, just waiting for visitors to come by and take a selfie, organize the kids for a Christmas card photo or simply stand and marvel at the beautiful lights.
Chicago’s official Christmas Tree will be illuminated on November 22 at 6 p.m. near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. It stay lit. January 8, 2025.
SheBuysTravel Tip: It can be cold walking around the Loop at night in December. Book a room at the Fairmont Hotel across the street from Millenium Park. That makes it easy to go back and warm up when you need a break, or to tuck into one of the Fairmont’s comfy beds for a long night’s slumber at the end of the evening.
2. The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade
The annual Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is the centerpiece of Christmas in Chicago. The highlight is a spectacular parade down North Michigan Avenue with fabulous floats, giant helium balloons, marching bands from across the country, popular celebrities, musical performances, and, of course, Santa Claus on Wintrust’s grand finale float, As the parade makes its way down the Magnificent Mile (that’s Chicago’s premier shopping district), it turns on the Christmas lights along the way, block by block. It’s a magical experience, followed by a fireworks spectacular over the Chicago River.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Stay at a hotel on the Magnificent Mile and you might even be able to watch the parade from the comfort (and warmth) of your room. My favorite Mag Mile hotel is the InterContinental Chicago. The Chicago Marriott Downtown is another great option.
3. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! The charming free Lincoln Park Zoo dresses up for the holiday with 2.5 million lights from November 15, 2024–January 5, 2025.
This is a ticketed event ($7-10 per person) that supports the zoo’s world-class animal care, global conservation efforts, and innovative learning programs. This is one of my absolute favorite Christmas events in Chicago. It feels as though even the animals are excited about Christmas as you walk among the giant 3D light displays, musical light shows, ice carvings and strolling carolers. New this year is the Light Lounge at Foreman Pavilion, offering family-friendly interactive light toys and activities, plus a lounge area with special food and drink offerings for a more adult vibe.
SheBuysTravel: My favorite hotel close to the zoo is the boutique Hotel Zachary near Wrigley Field, the home of the Chicago Cubs. It’s an Uber ride away, but well worth it.
4. Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
From November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025, Chicago’s Navy Pier is home to Light Up the Lake. Walk the Pier for free to admire the dazzling outdoor displays or buy a ticket that allows you to ride on Navy Pier’s 200-foot Centennial Ferris Wheel, slide down an ice slide and throw axes because, I guess, nothing says Christmas quite like ax throwing. (Said no one ever.)
SheBuysTravel: Definitely stay at the Sable Hotel right on Navy Pier. The views of the Chicago skyline alone are worth the price!
5. Christkindlmarket Chicago
A holiday tradition since 1996, Christkindlmarket attracts vendors from all over the world who come to Chicago to sell German-inspired food, hot chocolate and one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. From handmade items like knit hats and cuckoo clocks to foods like strudel and sausage, the sights and smells of the Christmas market are the stuff that Christmas dreams are made of.
Held November 22 through Christmas Eve at Daley Plaza, Christkindlmarket is rich in warm German tradition and flair. It is very crowded and busy here, especially in the evenings, so this may not be the best activity for little ones.
Read More: Best Chicago hotels for families.
6. Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the best things to do in Chicago in the winter, The big rink is the McCormick Tribune rink at Millennium Park, just below the Bean. There’s also skating at Maggie Daley Park, just across the BP Bridge. There, it’s a skating ribbon that snakes around the climbing walls.
Skating is free if you bring your own skates. Rentals are available at both locations.
Read More: Review of theWit Chicago Hotel:: Fab River Views in the Windy City
7. Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry
My favorite Chicago museum is the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park. At the holidays, Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light Exhibit (running Saturday, November 16, 2024 – Monday, January 6, 2025) transforms the museum’s giant rotunda into a forest of perfectly decorated Christmas trees. With the 45-foot Grand Tree in the center, more than 50 trees and holiday displays represent different cultures and traditions from around the globe.
8. The Great Tree at Macy’s Walnut Room
Visiting Macy’s on State Street is one of my favorite Christmas memories. Each year, my mom, aunts and cousins would start by admiring the gigantic holiday window displays outside of Macy’s before making our way into the department store to dine in the historic Walnut Room adorned by a giant 60-foot Christmas tree.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Make reservations before your visit or risk waiting in line for three hours or more on the day your visit.
9. Holiday Shopping
What is more festive than holiday shopping? Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, the city’s premier shopping district, is the place to find high-end shops like Gucci, Bloomingdale’s, Burberry and Neiman Marcus. It’s the Midwest’s equivalent to Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive or New York’s 5th Avenue! Kid-friendly stops include American Girl Place.
Neighborhoods like Lincoln Square, Andersonville and Bucktown offer boutique finds for a truly one-of-a-kind gift.
10. Ride the CTA Holiday Train and Bus
Each year, the Chicago Transit Authority decks the halls of a train and a bus and sends it out to surprise riders in downtown Chicago and on all of the train lines and 15 bus lines.
On the train, Santa waves to riders from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees. Each car of the train is wrapped with holiday images and thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows.
The 60-foot Holiday Bus plays Christmas music and Santa Claus yells a jolly “Ho-ho-ho!” from the roof hatch of the bus.
Both the train and the bus run on a schedule you can find here.
11. Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield is the bigger Chicago area zoo, located in the southwest suburb of Brookfield. At Christmas, the zoo shines with 2 miles of lights, a 41-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 600-foot Tunnel of Lights, an ice skating rink and a scavenger hunt to find the hidden gnomes.
Some of the animal houses are open during the Holiday Magic lights festival, which makes it easy to duck inside and warm up. The festival begins on November 22 and runs on select nights through December 31.
12. Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Gardens
This dazzling Christmas light show replaces Wonderland Express, which delighted my family for years. But the new show, complete with singing trees, is a feast for the eyes. It runs November 15 – January 5, 2024.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is in north suburban Glencoe and is most easily reached by car.
13. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
The 50 acres of the Arboretum are transformed into a spectacle of color, light and sound, including 150 colorful lanterns. Walk along a one-mile paved path to hear festive music and see the thousands of lights. Stop along the way to warm up by a fire and roast marshmallows for s’mores, or stop in one of the concession tents for a snack and beverage.
The Morton Arboretum is located in the western suburb of Lisle.
14. Drive-Thru Christmas Lights in Chicago
Light of Christmas, Chicago’s only drive-thru holiday light show, is at Guaranteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox from November 21, 2024 – January 5, 2025. This enchanting experience features more than 1 million synchronized lights that you can enjoy from the warmth of your own vehicle. Prices range from $20.99-$54.99 per car, and the hours are 5-9pm.
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