The Best Holiday Activities in Chicago
Happy Monday. friends! I always love updating this post every year because Chicago is pretty magical during the holiday season. We don’t mess around with our decorations, and the activities don’t stop just because it’s winter (the cold never bothered us anyway ?). If anything, the snow makes it even more special sometimes!
Whether you’re new to Chicago or you’ve lived here a long time, add some of these fun events to your calendar this month. Trust me, they’ll definitely put you in the Christmas spirit! And let me know if you think I missed any of the best holiday activities in Chicago!
Best Holiday Activities in Chicago
1. Christkindlmarket
The Christkindlmarket is one of the most beloved Christmas traditions in Chicago. Even when it’s cold, this outdoor market is packed with people shopping around and hoping to get their hands on a pretzel or mug of hot spiced wine. (YUM!) They also have one up in Wrigleyville at Gallagher Way if you don’t want to go all the way downtown! Adam and I went 2 years ago and it’s so fun to get in the Christmas spirit with Wrigley Field right next to you.
2. Zoo Lights
Going to Zoo Lights is one of my personal favorite holiday activities. It’s pretty magical to walk around Lincoln Park Zoo completely decorated in lights. There’s even holiday music playing wherever you go! Grab your significant other, some friends or your family, take a stroll around, and then grab dinner in Lincoln Park. The perfect evening!
3. Jack Frost Winter Walk
If you went to Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up, did you know they do a quick little makeover and turn it into Jack Frost Winter Walk?! They have ice skating, seasonal drinks, photo ops (duh!), bumper cars, and even a Christmas tree farm with trees for sale!
4. Ice Skating
If you go to Millennium Park, there are two ice skating options. The first is a rink right by the bean, which is super fun – especially if you have out of towners with you. If you’re a little more advanced, you could also skate on the Maggie Daley “Ribbon.” The path, which is twice a long as a traditional skating rink, winds through the park and is really pretty when there’s snow on the trees! You can get information about both on this site. (There is also ice skating at the Christkindlmarket in Wrigley!)
5. Visit the big Christmas trees
Every year I love to visit four Christmas trees in the city. The first one is right outside of the John Hancock Building, because that’s where Adam proposed! The second is inside 900 North Michigan because there’s something so fun about Christmas shopping with a huge tree in the middle of the building – it’s the best! My other favorite is just a few blocks away, outside of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel (the first picture in this post!). That hotel is pretty glamorous on it’s own, but a big beautiful Christmas tree makes it even better. And the last is outside of The Wrigley Building, pictured directly above. They just never get old!
6. See A Christmas Carol at The Goodman
Get this. The Goodman Theatre has been performing A Christmas Carol to Chicago audiences for over 40 YEARS. Seriously, how amazing is that?! If you’ve only ever seen movie versions, I’d definitely grab some tickets to the live production. It will give you all the Christmas feels!
7. Walk past Macy’s Windows
If you are a true Chicagoan, these will always be “the Marshall Field’s windows” – but either way, Macy’s still does a beautiful job. And after you check out the themed window displays, head inside to the Walnut Room where they have a 45 foot tree on display!
8. Christmas Around the World at The Museum of Science and Industry
I’ll be honest, I’ve never done this… but after doing some research, I totally want to now! Christmas Around the World at The Museum of Science and Industry features a four story floor-to-dome Grand Tree – and if that wasn’t enough, there are 50 more trees and displays all around it representing different holiday traditions from cultures all over the world. So cool, right?!
9. Holiday Tea at The Drake
So you wanna be fancy, huh? Then you better go to the Holiday Tea at The Drake. Bring your favorite ladies and sip on French tea and pastries while listening to Christmas Carolers and a harpist!
10. See The Nutcracker
Nobody does The Nutcracker like the The Joffrey Ballet. But last year, they reinvented the classic production with the help of Tony Award winning director, Christopher Wheeldon. It’s been described as “a must see tradition boldly reinvented for a new generation.” Intrigued? Me too!
11. Ride the Holiday Train
I know this requires a little luck… but if the Holiday Train pulls up, your commute just got WAY more fun!
12. Have a drink at a festive bar
Chicago has always gotten into the Christmas spirit – but now more bars are joining in on the fun than ever before! Lottie’s Pub is an old favorite – but if you want something over the top, Santa Baby and Frosty’s Christmas Bar are no joke! Who else wants to try the Yule Mule at Santa Baby this month?!
13. Chicago Helicopter Tour with Holiday Lights
We did a helicopter tour last year and it was one of the most amazing Chicago activities I’ve EVER done, so I can only imagine how awesome their Holiday Lights Experience must be!
14. Music Box Christmas Double Feature
From December 10th-December 23rd, the Music Box Theater has multiple viewings of both White Christmas and It’s A Wonderful Life! You can arrive early to meet Santa AND everyone sings Christmas carols during “intermission” between the two movies. Such a fun way to spend a holiday afternoon or evening!
15. Take a trip to the Grand Geneva
Holiday craziness stressing you out? Get away for a weekend! We went to the Grand Geneva after Christmas 3 years ago, but it still gave us all of the cozy winter feels – I can only imagine how lovely it is before the holiday!
What are your favorite holiday activities in Chicago?
PS. You might also like my Gift Guides and other holiday content, too!
November 3, 2017 @ 9:35 am
Just for anyone who’s interested. The museum of science and industry is doing an adults only Christmas Party on November 17 so you can see all the exhibits while sipping holiday cocktails!
November 3, 2017 @ 9:55 am
OMG that sounds like so much fun! Adding that to the post right now – thanks for the tip!
November 3, 2017 @ 2:52 pm
So Chicago is my favourite city that I’ve never visited! If that even makes any sense! It’s on top of my list and where I plan to be for my 40th when it rolls around. I have always loved everything I’ve seen and heard about it and now I have my fav blogger Chicagoians making me even more excited to visit. This list sounds like so much fun!
November 3, 2017 @ 2:53 pm
Omg you have to come visit!
November 3, 2017 @ 8:45 pm
Great list! Also: The Music Box theatre in Lakeview hosts a sing-along of White Christmas which can’t be beat! 🙂
November 4, 2017 @ 1:27 pm
Omg that sounds like SO much fun!
November 3, 2017 @ 10:39 pm
There is actually a CTA schedule that gives you the times/which days the different lines will be doing the holiday train & there are actually holiday buses with Santa, too! My friend was in from out of town last year & so I stalked the site to make sure she got the full Chicago Christmas experience!
November 4, 2017 @ 1:28 pm
Whaaaaaat?!? I had NO idea you could track it!