Festive Christmastime Activies in Chicago

Each year, the Museum of Science & Industry's 45' tall Grand Tree takes the spotlight in the Rotunda, covered with over 30 thousand Christmas lights. Over 50 smaller trees sit beautifully around it, all decorated by nearby volunteers from Chicago neighborhoods. The intermittent falling of fake snow makes it that much more fun.

Musical performances start at 11:30 am. The parade starts at 5:30pm and goes to 7:30pm, with fireworks starting at 6:55pm over the Chicago River at North Michigan Avenue. An evening parade turns the section of Michigan Ave between Wacker Dr & Oak St into Chicago's most dazzling shopping area. The Magnificent Mile's hotels and stores illuminate the street, along with over a million white Christmas lights hung in the trees. Fireworks on the Chicago river cap the night. On Friday, experience the Lights Festival Lane from 4pm - 8pm and enjoy many family-friendly music and activities. On Saturday, the Lights Festival Lane goes from 11am to 4pm.

The ZooLights at Lincoln Park transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland. This year, over 2,000,000 lights and festive illuminations will light up the zoo. Also enjoy fun activities, hot cocoa, and other good food. Visit Santa Claus at the Helen Brach Primate House, ride the Lionel Train Adventure, and go ice skating at the "Farm-in-the-Zoo".

Winter Wonderfest is a fun indoor playground that hosts an ice skating rink, Ferris wheel, carousel and more that comprise of over 170,000 square feet. Take in the incredible views. Massive snowflakes, icicle lights, hundreds of evergreens, and more round out the festive atmosphere.

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo is Chicagoland's largest lights festival. The zoo features select animal exhibits in the evening, along with restaurants and gift shops. Sing to the animals, watch professionals carve ice sculptures, visit Santa Claus, watch magic shows, and more.

The St. Lucia Festival of Lights is a Swedish-themed candlelight procession along Clark Street in Andersonville starting at the Swedish American Museum at 5211 N. Clark St at 4:45pm. The "Lucia Girls" lead the way, dressed in long white robes and crowns of candles. Sing along to "The Lucia Song" with kids and adults alike along the walk. Join the party at the museum afterward.

The Macy's Holiday Window Exhibits are a time-honored tradition that takes center stage on State Street as a popular holiday shopping destination. View the large window displays of festive scenes and holiday decor that capture the Christmas spirit like nowhere else.

Lightscape is a collection of lights and sounds choreographed to music and colors along State Street. The displays change every season, offering unique experiences within the Loop shopping district.

If you're lucky, you might capture a glimpse of the CTA Holiday Train carrying Santa and his sleigh pulled by peppermint-scented passenger coaches decorated with holiday decor. If you happen to see the CTA Holiday Train, don't miss the opportunity for your kids to take a picture with the elf-dressed conductors and snag a candy cane. Enjoy Christmas music and garlands inside the cars to complete this festive experience.

Attend some of the best holiday theatre in Chicago including Broadway shows, musicals, plays, and concerts. Popular favorites include "A Christmas Carol" and "Joffrey Ballet - The Nutcracker" with multiple showings, as well as "Charlie Brown Christmas" on Dec 22nd, and "Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve" on Dec 28th.

This annual tradition has continued since 1983 and has grown more and more popular ever since. Join people from all over Chicagoland in watching holiday movie favorites and singing Christmas carols.

Dan Ryan Woods - Located on 87th Street at Western Avenue. 773-233-3766
Palmisano Park - Located at 2700 S. Halsted St. 312-747-6497
Caldwell Woods - Located at Devon and Milwaukee Avenues. 847-647-2240
A. Montgomery Ward Park - Located at 630 N. Kingsbury St. 312-742-7895
Oz Park - Located at 2021 N. Burling St. 312-742-7898
Humboldt Park - Located at 1400 N. Sacramento Ave. 312-742-7549
Montrose Harbor - Located at 601 W. Montrose Dr. 312-742-7527
Gompers Park - Located at 4222 W. Foster Ave. 773-685-3270
Horner Park - Located at 2741 W. Montrose Ave. 773-478-3499
Warren Park - Located at 6601 N. Western Ave. 773-262-6314.

View elk in real life at the Busse Woods Forest Preserve in the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village. There is a trail that goes around the pasture so that you can take in the surrounding nature and meet the various members of the herd who like to hang out near the fence. The park asks that you refrain from feeding the animals, but take all the pictures that you want!

Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports | 5750 Lakeside Dr, Lisle IL 60532 | 630.964.2550
Villa Olivia | Villa Olivia 1401 W. Lake Street Bartlett, Illinois 60103 | (630) 289-1000
Raging Buffalo | 19-265 Western Ave, Algonquin, IL 60102 | 847-836-7243
Wilmot Mountain | 11931 Fox River Rd, Wilmot, WI 53192 | 262-862-2301
Alpine Valley | W2501 County Road D | Elkhorn, WI 53121 | 800-227-9395
Chestnut Mountain Resort | 8700 W. Chestnut Mountain Rd, Galena, IL 61036 | 800.397.1320
Devil's Head Resort | S6330 Bluff Road, Merrimac, WI 53561 | 608-493-2204

Enjoy a premium hot chocolate at Ghirardelli, a seasonal favorite. Located on the Magnificent Mile, grab a hot chocolate and take in the sights of Christmas lights and horse-pulled carriages just outside the shop.

Enjoy hot chocolate and Chirstmas caroling at "Holiday Tea" at Palm Court in The Drake Hotel. At $52/adult and $25/child it's a little pricy, but worth it! The hotel also hosts Brunch with Santa, Cookie Decorating, Christmas Eve Buffet, Christmas Day Dinner, and more.

A mix of stores (clothing, jewelry, cosmetics) shares space with a food court & popular restaurants.

900 North Michigan Shops is a visually stunning and highly desired shopping destination that resides on the north end of Chicago’s vibrant Magnificent Mile. The exclusive tenant mix offers shoppers an unparalleled experience of more than 70 luxe lifestyle shops featuring Bloomingdale’s and a strong line-up of national brands perfectly complemented by an eclectic collection of unique boutiques and a diverse selection of delectable dining options.

Twinkling lights strung below skyscrapers, carriage rides ambling along, festive music and shoppers trickling out of stores decked in holiday trimmings — Chicago's famous retail row The Magnificent Mile (or "Mag Mile" as it's called by locals) is even more magical during wintertime. The downtown North Michigan Avenue district is where to head for the ultimate Christmas shopping spree in Chicago.

Inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545, the Christkindlmarket Chicago brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival was first held on Pioneer Court in 1996.

Macy's, established in 1858, is the Great American Department Store - an iconic retailing brand over 740 stores operating coast-to-coast and online. Macy's State Street offers a first class selection of top fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Clinique, Estee Lauder & Levis. In addition to shoes and clothing, Macy's has a wide variety of housewares, gifts and furniture in select stores.

Just 40 minutes West of Chicago, Woodfield Mall is one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States. With more than 2 million square feet of retail shops, restaurants, and family-friendly amenities, Woodfield Mall has a unique mix that creates a completely new and refreshing experiences with every visit.