Christmas in Chicago: 2024 Guide
This is the ultimate Christmas in Chicago Guide for 2024. We bring it back for the 2024 Christmas Holiday season.
The Christmas Holiday in Chicago is magical. Bringing with it great excitement and seasonal celebrations. Christmas is truly special in the Chicago area as the city comes to life. The Magnificent Mile and Millennium Park are vibrant during this magical time of year with folks ice skating in Millennium Park or viewing the majestic Chicago Christmas Tree.
Chicago celebrates Christmas like no other with special exhibits, pub crawls, dazzling Holiday light displays, live theatre productions, magical holiday transportation, and many shops and Christmas markets during the Christmas Holiday season in Chicago. Christmas in Chicago is so magical that we have put this ultimate Christmas Guide to Christmas in Chicago for your convenience.
Included is a special Christmas Gift - see video of Christmas in Chicago below.
Released: November 9, 2024
Table Of Contents
- Dazzling Holiday Lights - magical holiday light displays
- Low Cost Holiday Walking Tour - Get some exercise while you are guided to some of the favorite Holiday spots in Chicago
- Winter Wonderlands - Christmas in Chicago turns Navy Pier and Gallagher Way into winter paradises
- Magical Holiday Transportation - Christmas in Chicago means some CTA trains and busses are turned into festively decorated holiday transportation
- Christmas Restaurant Traditions - The Walnut Room is a Christmas tradition in Chicago.
- Holiday Pub Crawls - Christmas in Chicago means various pub crawls are scheduled in December to celebrate
- Christmas Shopping and Markets - A list of shopping and Christkindlmarket locations for your Holiday shopping list
- Museum Holiday Magic - A few of the famous Chicago museums take part in the holiday fun.
- Live Holiday Theatre Productions - Christmas in Chicago means live Holiday productions of some of the Christmas classics - "A Christmas Carol", "Nutcracker", and more
- Ice Skating - Christmas in Chicago is not complete without a list of ice skating locations around Chicago.
- Christmas in Chicago Video - Our special video gift of a walk in Chicago at Christmas time put to Christmas music
Christmas in Chicago Video
- We offer a selection of Merchandise, Journals, and "Create Your Own Recipe" books on the Available Products and Available Books page
- Order by December 15, 2024 for delivery before Christmas
Dazzling Holiday Lights
ZooLights at Lincoln Park zoo - The Lincoln Park zoo is decked out and lit up by more than 2.5 million colorful lights. Includes moving displays set to music, wonderful ice sculptures, and much more. Lincoln Park zoo also usually offers special events like an adult night out and pop-up bar.
- Dates: November 15, 2024–January 5, 2025
- Cost: $7–$10, Free Admission Select Mondays
- Adults Night Out: Thursday December 12th – Catch Zoo lights while while you enjoy festive music, warm food and drinks, games, holiday characters, and a variety of photo ops.
Brookfield Zoo hosts a Holiday Magic Display - Christmas in Chicago means Brookfield Zoo is decked out with Christmas decorations and over 2 million twinkling LED lights. It includes a Tunnel of Lights with thousands of colored lights synchronized to music.
Meet Santa this holiday season at the Zoo! Visit him from November 22 to December 22, between 5-8 p.m.
- Dates: November 22-24, 29-30 and December 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-31, 2024
- Tickets strongly advised to be purchased in advance: $29.95 - $34.95 for adults, $24.95 - $28.95 for seniors, and $20.95 - $24.95 for children aged between 3 and 11. Parking is an extra charge
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| Brookfield Zoo - Holiday Magic |
Chicago Botanic Garden Lightscape - This illuminated and immersive experience has visitors explore the botanic garden after dark. The glow of twinkling lights is mesmerizing with different installations around every corner of the walking path.
- Dates: November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
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| Chicago Botanic Lightscape |
Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle - This is a dazzling illuminated outdoor experience set to music. The mile long path winds through the arboretum and offers magical and captivating lighting displays. Along the trek cozy up by the fires, grab some hot chocolate, or make some s’mores.
- Dates: Saturday, November 16, 2024, through Saturday, January 4, 2025, open daily 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Christmas at Cantigny - Explore a dazzling array of experiences as you stroll through a ½-mile, fully ADA- and stroller-accessible path. Along the way, music-orchestrated light shows, festive decorations, larger-than-life flower sculptures, and a towering 28-foot Christmas tree will enchant you. You can also step inside the beautifully adorned McCormick House, a unique opportunity to explore this historically preserved home, blending history with holiday charm for a special addition to your visit.
- Dates: November 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025 (select dates)
- Address: 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL 60189
- Cost: Depends on day of week, Adult Advance tickets range from $15 - $25
See the Chicago Christmas Tree - The massive tree lights up the heart of iconic Millennium Park. It is adorned in twinkling lights and makes the perfect holiday photo opp. The tree shines brightly near the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Washington Street.
- Dates: November 22, 2024—January 8, 2025
- Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, November 22, 2024 @ 6pm, pre-show at 5pm
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| Chicago Christmas Tree |
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade - A thrilling holiday celebration: A day-through-night, mile-long extravaganza drawing more than one million celebrants.
- Date: November 23, 2024
Magical Christmas Drive Thru at Santa's Village Dundee - Enjoy over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music, dazzling displays, and Santa himself. At the end of the route you are able to park and enjoy the new 300 foot tube slide and entertainment.
- Dates: Select nights November 29th – December 29th, 2024
- Cost: $35 per vehicle
- Note: Santa Visits will run thru December 23rd, 2024
Low Cost Holiday Walking Tour
Chicago Holiday Tour - The tour takes you through parts of downtown Chicago and get to visit some of Chicago's favorite holiday spots, visit the traditional Chicago Christmas tree, scope out good places for ice skating, and discover places to grab an indulgent dessert. This walking tour is guided by Free Tours by Foot. Reservations are required ahead of time at Chicago Holiday Tour.
- Dates: November 22-23, 29-30 and December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21
- Duration: Approx. 1.5 hours. Total walking a bit over one mile (1.6km)
- Start Location: The Chicago Cultural Center: 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602 by the cow statue
Winter Wonderlands
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier - A massive indoor holiday experience includes an authentic beer garden, a gift market, activities for kids, and a light garden made of large-scale sculptures. Also the indoor Alpine ice rink means skating thrills without any of the chills.
- Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
- Cost: Admission is free. Activities ice rink, slide, axe throwing are $5 - $47
Winterland at Gallagher Way – This includes family-friendly activities, new interactive experiences, along with returning favorites, including Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville and the Gallagher Ice Rink, with the rink now located inside the iconic ballpark.
- Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, December 06, 2024 @ 6 PM – 7 PM | Free
- Winter Market Dates:
- Friday, December 6: 4 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 7: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 8: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Winterland Dates: December 6-22, 2024
- Winterland Days and Hours:
- Thursdays | 4 to 9 p.m.
- Fridays | 4 to 9 p.m.
- Saturdays | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sundays | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Christmas Movie Nights: Elf: December 12, Home Alone: December 19
- Tickets: Admission to Gallagher Way is FREE and requires no tickets. Ride tickets will be available on site for purchase.
Magical Holiday Transportation
CTA Holiday Train – This is a beloved Chicago tradition. A CTA holiday train makes its way through the city usually in December. The six-car train is decorated with holiday scenes and thousands of sparkling lights. Hop on board to meet the elves handing out candy. Don’t forget to wave to Santa, whose sled replaces the head car.
- Dates: November 29, 30th; December 3 - 7, 10 - 14, 17 - 21, 23 - select CTA Lines. See full schedule here
CTA Holiday Bus – The CTA Holiday bus will traverse the city streets.
- Dates: November 26th - December 21st - select dates and routes. See full schedule here
Metra Holiday Train - Experience holiday magic on select Metra lines during the Saturdays in November/December. The special holiday train with Santa and Mrs. Claus brings you to the North Pole winter wonderland at Millennium Station.
- Dates: ** tickets already sold out
- Nov. 30 – Metra Electric Line
- Dec. 7 – BNSF Line
- Dec. 14 – Rock Island, Milwaukee District North, and Union Pacific Northwest lines
- Dec. 21 – Metra Electric (two trains, one in the morning and one in the evening) and Union Pacific North lines.
Polar Express Train Ride – at Fox River Trolley Museum. The train will transport you to the “North Pole” where Santa will be waiting. Experience the joy of watching the children’s faces when the train arrives at the North Pole.
At the North Pole, Santa will board the train. There will be caroling, sing-alongs with professional musicians making this what will surely become an annual holiday tradition for the whole family.
- Dates: Select Dates November 30th - December 22nd, 2024.
Christmas Restaurant Traditions
Walnut Room - inside Macy’s on State Street. The historic restaurant is an essential holiday destination. The Walnut Room is adorned with elegant décor and sparkling chandeliers, with the towering Great Tree in the center of it all.
- Dates: Select Dates November 2, 2024 - January 12, 2025
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| Macy's Walnut Room |
Holiday Pub Crawls
SOUTHPORT HOLIDAY STROLL & COCKTAIL CRAWL - Sample different holiday-themed cocktails at this event
- Date: December 6, 2024
TBOX: Twelve Bars of Christmas – Chicago’s most popular bar crawl returns to Wrigleyville.
- Date: Saturday December 14, 2024
Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl – Put on your ugliest Christmas attire and join this bar crawl.
- Date: Saturday December 21, 2024
Magical Christmas Shopping and Markets
Chicago is a great place for Holiday shopping as it offers many shopping districts and options.
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| Christmas in Chicago |
Here is a run down of some of the shopping options:
- The Magnificent Mile – this is one of the world’s most iconic retail destinations including Water Tower Place. Many famous department stores and favorite chains exist along the Magnificent Mile, as well, as tons of twinkling lights to dazzle shoppers throughout the Christmas season
- State Street – just a few blocks from the Magnificent Mile is another wonderful shopping option where the iconic Macy’s on State Street is located. Macy’s offers their annual Holiday Windows and the Great Tree inside the historic Walnut Room.
- Christkindlmarket - Authentic German Christmas market This is a free-admission event featuring local vendors. On sale are traditional German crafts and treats, hot mulled wine, hand-knit gloves, beautiful glass ornaments, wooden cuckoo clocks, and other special holiday items and treats.
- Available at 2 locations:
- Aurora: November 22 – December 24, 2024
- Chicago - Daley Plaza: November 22 – December 24, 2024
- Woodfield Mall – Schaumburg, IL - One of the most iconic retail destinations in the suburbs of Chicago is Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL. Lots of good department stores and favorite chains are available at Woodfield mall for your Holiday shopping needs.
- Address: 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, IL 60173
- Randolph Street Market - Find the unusual and stylishly crafted mix of vintage and modern decorative objects, housewares, fashion for men/women/children, art, hostess gifts and more from 125 vendors! Enjoy the market bar for a bloody mary, beer, wine or champagne and local eateries while browsing vendors on three floors in the Plumbers Hall building!
- Other Chicago Holiday markets:
- pre-Kwanzaa Market (Dec 6 & 7) at Africa International House
- One Of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart - A 4-day (Dec 5 - 8) shopping experience to find unique holiday gifts
Museum Holiday Magic
A few Chicago museums love to take part in the holiday fun as well:
Museum of Science and Industry - hosts the annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Lights, with 50 elaborately decorated trees that represent holiday traditions from across the globe. In Holiday of Lights, the museum honors the traditions of Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Visakha Puja Day, and St. Lucia Day.
- Dates: Nov. 16, 2024 - Jan. 6, 2025
Art Institute of Chicago - The museum’s beloved lions will welcome you wearing holiday wreaths, while inside, a world of treasures await — the soaring new Tiffany Window, the ever-popular 18th-century Neapolitan crèche, a thought-provoking and expansive exhibition by Barbara Kruger, and visitor favorites from Rembrandt and Van Gogh to O’Keeffe and Warhol.
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| Art Institute Lion |
Happy Holiday Railway at the Illinois Railway Museum - Enjoy a 40-minute train ride for the whole family and visit with Santa Claus on the train. Treats and hot chocolate will be served.
- Dates: November 29 - Dec. 23, 2024 (Select Dates)
- Cost: $25 per ticket
Theatre – Holiday productions
The magic of Christmas is foretold in Chicago’s live theatre holiday productions. Check out one of these performances:
- Goodman’s Albert Theatre - A Christmas Carol
- Dates: November 16 - December 30, 2024
- Joffrey Ballet – The Nutcracker at the Lyric Opera House 20 North Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
- Dates: December 6–28, 2024
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Lost Christmas Eve Tour
- Venue: All State Arena,
- Date: December 23, 2024
- Chicago Theatre – An Unforgettable Night of Christmas Classics – Brett Eldredge
- Dates: December 6, 7 & 8, 2024
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| Chicago Theatre |
- The Athenaeum Theatre – Christmas production:
- It’s A Wonderful Life
- Date: December 13 - 29, 2024
- Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace – 2 Christmas Events:
- Dining With Santa Breakfast
- Dates: Select Dates November 29 - December 21, 2024
- Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
- Dates: November 29 – December 28, 2024
- Ruth Page’s ‘The Nutcracker’ - College of Lake County
- Date: Select Dates November 23 - December 22, 2024
- Phone: (847) 543-2300
- Salt Creek Ballet: “The Nutcracker” With New Philharmonic
- Dates: Dec. 14-15, 2024
- Performance Times: 1 and 5 p.m.
- At College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn in the Belushi Performance Hall
- Address: 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
- Phone: (630) 942-4000
Ice Skating
Chicago offers several places to put on the ice skates and skate indoors or outdoors
Millennium Park Ice skating rink - Admission to the ice rink is free but online tickets will be required
- Dates: November 15, 2024—February 2, 2025 (weather permitting)
Maggie Daley Park ice skating ribbon — online reservation is needed
- Dates: Nov. 15, 2024 - Mar. 9, 2025 (weather permitting)
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| Maggie Daley Park - Ice Skating Ribbon |
Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park - 1130 Midway Plaisance North, Chicago, IL 60637
Gallagher Way rink in Wrigleyville - 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
For a list of additional Ice skating locations in the Chicago area view Chicago Ice Skating.
For other places to see in Chicago visit the Travel page.
