Holiday scene

Chicago Christmas Guide 2024

Chicago's Best Christmas Events for 2024!

Last updated February 18, 2025.

When winter blankets the Loop in snow, Chicago transforms into a wonderland of beloved traditions. From the twinkling ZooLights at Lincoln Park to the aromatic spices of Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza, the Windy City knows how to celebrate the season.

Whether you're gliding along the Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon or catching the Joffrey's 'Nutcracker' at the Lyric Opera House, Chicago's holiday magic spans from the Magnificent Mile to neighborhoods across the city.

Discover the Windy City's festive treasures below!

When is Christmas? Thursday, December 25th, 2025

Chicago Holiday Light Displays

111th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree

The 111th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree is a 53-foot Colorado Blue Spruce located in Millennium Park, near the intersection of N. Michigan Avenue and E. Washington Street. This year's tree is generously donated by the Holden-Shaddick family of Logan Square. The tree is adorned with 70,000 LED lights and 35,000 feet of lights, making it a spectacular display of holiday illumination.

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Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is an annual event in Chicago that marks the beginning of the holiday season. It features over one million lights on more than 200 trees along Michigan Avenue, one of Chicago's most famous streets. The festival includes a grand tree-lighting parade with iconic Disney characters, floats, musical performances, and giant helium balloons. The event also includes Lights Festival Lane, a kid-friendly wonderland with holiday-themed activities such as photos with Santa Claus, balloon twisting, and live music.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: The Saturday before Thanksgiving
  • ⏰ Time: Evening
  • 🏛️ Venue: Michigan Avenue
  • 📍 Address: North Michigan Avenue

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago features over 3 million lights, hundreds of LED displays, and interactive elements. Guests can enjoy a ride on a 65-foot Ferris wheel, walk through an expansive light tunnel, and visit the Light Lounge for family-friendly activities. The event also includes festive photo ops, professional ice carvers, and roaming Victorian carolers on select nights. Visitors can explore the zoo's holiday tree and festive décor at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, which transforms into the North Pole. Special attractions include the Endangered Species Carousel, Lionel Train Adventure kiddie train, and Gorilla Trek VR experience.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 15 - January 5
  • ⏰ Time: 4:30 PM - 9 PM Sunday-Thursday, 4:30 PM - 10 PM Friday-Saturday
  • 🏛️ Venue: Lincoln Park Zoo
  • 📍 Address: 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

IllumiBrew

IllumiBrew is an adults-only event at the Morton Arboretum featuring local beers, ciders, and meads from popular Chicago-area breweries. Guests can sample 15 three-ounce beer samples while walking along the illuminated trail. The event includes admission to the Arboretum's Illumination: Tree Lights, which showcases 17 dazzling light and music displays along an ADA-compliant walking path. Snacks and hot beverages are available for purchase at warming areas with cozy fires. The event also offers designated driver tickets and a complimentary tasting glass.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 16 - November 17
  • ⏰ Time: 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
  • 🏛️ Venue: Morton Arboretum
  • 📍 Address: 4250 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532

Chicago Holiday Markets and Shopping

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Christkindlmarket Chicago is a traditional German holiday market held annually at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. The market features authentic German treats, unique crafts, and handmade gifts. Visitors can enjoy traditional German cuisine, including bratwurst, pretzels, and gingerbread cookies. The market also offers a variety of beverages, including glühwein, hot chocolate, and German beers. Live music performances and festive activities make the market a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

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Millennium Park Holiday Market

The Millennium Park Holiday Market is a festive event featuring dozens of local artists selling a variety of items including jewelry, pottery, drawings, paintings, and more. The market also includes vendors from various arts organizations, offering unique holiday gifts. Additionally, the event offers holiday-themed food, hot drinks, and cocktails, along with live music.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 22 - November 24, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: Friday: 12-8 P.M., Saturday: 12-8 P.M., Sunday: 12-5 P.M.
  • 🏛️ Venue: Millennium Park
  • 📍 Address: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601

One of a Kind Holiday Show

The One of a Kind Holiday Show in Chicago brings together hundreds of talented artists, makers, and designers with thousands of engaged shoppers who love art and handmade work. The show features a wide range of unique treasures, including fine art, furniture, apparel, jewelry, home goods, ceramics, and more. Visitors can participate in immersive craft activities and enjoy live music performances from local artists. The event also includes gourmet food and cocktails, making it a premier holiday shopping destination.

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Christkindlmarket Aurora

The Christkindlmarket Aurora is a German-style holiday market featuring international and local vendors with various offerings for all ages. The market offers a variety of free entertainment and ticketed events, including live performances and intercultural activities. Visitors can enjoy traditional German fare, such as Dutch pancakes and German classics, as well as unique items like Belgian fries. The market also hosts family-friendly activities like scavenger hunts, glassblowing workshops, and the Children’s Lantern Parade.

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Chicago Artisan Market

The Chicago Artisan Market showcases the best of Chicago and the Midwest in food, fashion, home goods, and art. This curated market celebrates the ingenuity of independent, small businesses who channel their passions into creating one-of-a-kind products. Meet and shop with artisans, learning how they make their products, eats, art, and confections. The market features a variety of vendors selling photography, wine, beauty products, stationery, pottery, food, and more.

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Julmarknad: Swedish American Museum Christmas Bazaar

Julmarknad is the Swedish American Museum's annual Christmas Bazaar, featuring traditional Scandinavian and modern handicrafts available for purchase. The event includes children's activities, crafts, games, and special visits from Santa. It also includes kaffestuga, Lucia processions, and performances by Nordic folk dancers.

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The Trashy Holiday Market

The Trashy Holiday Market in Chicago features local artisans transforming reclaimed materials into one-of-a-kind products. Attendees can shop for handcrafted home goods, art, clothes, and more. The event also includes hands-on activities like clothing swaps, kids' crafts, free gift wrapping, and community workout classes.

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Chicago Art Girls Holiday Pop-Up

The Chicago Art Girls Holiday Pop-Up is an inspiring marketplace showcasing the creativity and talent of over 40 women artists. This event offers a diverse range of handmade holiday gifts, including jewelry, textiles, home décor, and more. It is the perfect opportunity to meet friends and shop for unique items for everyone on your list.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 14 - December 15, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 11 AM - 5 PM daily
  • 🏛️ Venue: Alexander Graham Bell Elementary School
  • 📍 Address: 3730 N Oakley, Chicago, IL 60618

Chicago Holiday Shows and Entertainment

Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”

Joffrey Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' is a critically acclaimed holiday production that weaves Chicago's rich history into the timeless tale of 'The Nutcracker.' The ballet features a unique setting in a shanty town in Jackson Park during the winter of 1892, coinciding with the year of the first Chicago World's Fair. The production includes a full orchestra and intricate choreography, making it a standout in the holiday season.

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“A Christmas Carol”

A Christmas Carol is a timeless holiday tale by Charles Dickens, adapted into a heartwarming production by Goodman Theatre. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy businessman whose disdain for the holidays is transformed on a fateful Christmas Eve. Directed by Jessica Thebus and featuring a 'first-rate cast and marvelous staging,' this beloved tale remains 'the best Christmas story ever told.' The production includes 'bah humbugs,' electrifying ghostly apparitions, and jubilant musical numbers, making it a cherished holiday tradition.

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Merry, Merry Chicago

Merry, Merry Chicago is a festive holiday concert featuring members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and special guests. The program includes a variety of holiday music, from beloved carols to non-traditional pieces. The concert is designed to inspire holiday cheer for all, with glorious arrangements conducted by Alastair Willis. The event takes place at Symphony Center, which is decorated with boughs of holly, larger-than-life red bows, and wreaths. Before and during the show, there are pop-up performances from Chicago school choirs and community ensembles.

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Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert

Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert is a lively and joyful musical celebration that has delighted audiences in Chicago for over 25 years. The event features timeless melodies, including the Blue Danube Waltz, performed by some of Europe’s finest singers and internationally celebrated dancers. The concert is conducted by an expert in Viennese music and includes romantic duets, festive overtures, and soaring arias. The event evokes the grandeur of Vienna’s Golden Age with a new cast and musical program each year.

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Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade is a cherished holiday tradition that brings together diverse cultural performances, festive floats, and giant helium balloons. The parade features international bands, marching bands from high schools and universities, and various cultural groups. It showcases the city's rich cultural heritage and is a highlight of the holiday season.

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Derek Hough Dance for the Holidays

Derek Hough Dance for the Holidays is an all-new joyous celebration of the most festive time of the year. With jingle bells and sleigh bells, holiday carols and cheer, Hough’s latest dance spectacular is a show-stopping event for the whole family. Fans will be thrilled and delighted as Hough and his cast of phenomenal dancers bring your favorite holiday tunes to life through dance, from well-sung classics to modern pop hits with all of the incredible choreography, exciting stage production, and dance mastery that audiences have come to expect. Creative team and Emmy Award winners, Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, also known as NappyTabs, co-create, direct, and supervise choreography for the tour.

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The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party

The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party is an interactive trunk and puppet show featuring four beloved Beatrix Potter stories: The Tale of Tom Kitten, The Tailor of Gloucester, The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The show includes original music and gentle interactive moments where young viewers can join the adventure. After the performance, families can play with the puppets, take photos with the cast, and participate in a communal holiday party with festive treats.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: November 23 - December 29, 2024
  • ⏰ Time: 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM daily
  • 🏛️ Venue: Chicago Children's Theatre
  • 📍 Address: 100 S Racine Ave Chicago IL 60607

The Nut Tapper

The Nut Tapper is a unique holiday production that reimagines the classic ballet 'The Nutcracker' with the percussive rhythms of tap, flamenco, and swing dancing. Featuring Reggio 'The Hoofer' McLaughlin and a diverse cast of students and professional dancers, this multicultural performance brings together different dance styles to create an exhilarating and festive show.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: December 17, 2023
  • ⏰ Time: 4:30 PM CST
  • 🏛️ Venue: Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall
  • 📍 Address: 4544 N Lincoln Ave

“Snowflakes” Winter Flower Show

The Snowflakes Winter Flower Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago features a stunning display of poinsettias, lighted conifer trees, and over 25 macro images of snow crystals. The show includes a colorful selection of poinsettias such as 'FabYULEous Red', 'Lemon Glow', 'Frozen', and 'Orange Glow'. Other plants include favorites like Edelweiss, Peppermint, and white Viola. The display also includes cut Frasier Fir trees and pendulous varieties of Cedar and Chamaecyparis trees.

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Christmas Dinner Cruises

Christmas Dinner Cruises in Chicago offer a unique blend of fine dining and breathtaking views of the city skyline. These cruises feature delicious plated meals, specialty seasonal cocktails, and exceptional service. Guests can enjoy sweeping views of iconic landmarks like the Willis Tower and Navy Pier from both indoor areas and open-air decks while live entertainment sets the festive atmosphere.

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Housegiving

Housegiving is a pre-Thanksgiving party featuring the best of house music. The event showcases a variety of DJs, including newcomers and legends, in a lively atmosphere. It is a celebration of the genre that has revolutionized dance music internationally.

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Chicago Other Holiday Activities

Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon

The Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon is a unique ice skating experience in downtown Chicago. The quarter-mile ribbon meanders through Alpine trees and mountains, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline. The rink features slight inclines and declines, making it equal to two laps around a traditional ice rink. Admission is free Monday through Thursday, and skate rentals are available for various sessions. The ribbon also serves as a walking and rollerskating path in the summer. The rink provides lockers, a warming area, and a lively ambiance with twinkling lights.

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Christmas Around the World

Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers to represent holiday traditions from cultures around the globe. This annual celebration began in 1942 with a single tree and has evolved into a one-of-a-kind holiday experience that brings a whole world of holiday joy under one roof.

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McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is a free public outdoor ice skating rink located in Millennium Park, Chicago. It operates from mid-November to mid-March and attracts over 100,000 skaters annually. The rink is known for its scenic views of the city's skyline and serves as a popular people-watching location during the winter months. It also hosts various themed skating events and is a part of the larger Millennium Park complex, which includes dining facilities and other attractions.

Details:

  • 📅 Dates: Mid-November to mid-March
  • ⏰ Time: Afternoons and evenings, longer hours on weekends
  • 🏛️ Venue: McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
  • 📍 Address: 41°52′57.68″N 87°37′25.55″W

Great Tree at Macy’s

The Great Tree at Macy's in Chicago is a 45-foot tall, ceiling-hung Christmas tree that has been a centerpiece of the holiday season for over a century. The tree is decorated with colorful candies and oversized confections, creating a festive atmosphere. Generations of families have grown up with this holiday tradition, making it a significant part of Chicago's holiday culture.

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Frosty's Christmas Bar

Frosty's Christmas Bar is a three-story pop-up located in Lincoln Park, Chicago. It features four bars, two dance floors, and endless Christmas fun. The venue is decorated with life-size nutcrackers, elves, and holiday music. Special cocktails include The Grinch, The Naughty and Spice Margarita, and the Bourbon Gingerbread Smash. The event encourages patrons to make reservations due to its popularity.

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Santa Baby Christmas Bar

Santa Baby Christmas Bar is a multi-level pop-up bar in Wrigleyville, Chicago, transforming Bamboo Bar into a holiday wonderland. The bar features extensive decorations, including twinkling lights and glittering ornaments. It offers a variety of festive drinks, such as oversized Christmas cocktails and spiked hot chocolate, as well as food options like Santa's Smash Burger and Festive Fry Flight. The venue also provides endless photo opportunities and is suitable for families during the day but becomes 21+ after 8 PM.

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Skating in the Park

Skating in the Park in Schaumburg offers a variety of skating experiences. The park features one outdoor ice skating area that is inspected for safe ice skating conditions and two man-made ice rinks made when conditions are favorable. The rinks are unsupervised, and participants are advised to check the flag pole for safe skating conditions. The park also provides bleachers for spectators and parking at designated lots.

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Zoo After Dark: Holiday Sip & Stroll

Zoo After Dark: Holiday Sip & Stroll is an adults-only event at Brookfield Zoo featuring a festive mix of holiday cheer, warm drinks, and seasonal cocktails. Guests can explore the zoo's dazzling holiday lights, dance to live beats at the DJ dance party, and enjoy exclusive drinks crafted just for the evening. This event offers a unique atmosphere filled with lights, music, and memories to last a lifetime.

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