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While it can be tempting to hibernate the winter away, there’s so much going on in Chicago this holiday season you won’t want to miss. Here are our top picks for activities going on during the most wonderful time of the year.
23rd Annual Christkindlmarkt
Shop handcrafted items like nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, beer steins, and glass ornaments at Chicago’s largest open-air Christmas festival, inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, which began in 1545. This German and European tradition has become a Chicago tradition at Daley Plaza, featuring German food and drinks, like potato pancakes, hot pretzels, schnitzel, and chocolate-covered treats, and Glühwein, a traditional hot spiced wine.
November 16th – December 24th, Sunday through Thursday from 11am-8pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am-9pm
Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Channel your inner Nancy Kerrigan at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park this winter. It’s free if you BYO skates, or you can rent a pair. Even if you’re no Brian Boitano, there’s free skating lessons one hour before the rink opens on the weekends.
November 16, 2018-March 10, 2019 (weather permitting)
ZooLights
Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual tradition returns for its 24th year with fun, free, family-oriented holiday fun, and 2.5 million lights! ZooLights features luminous themed displays and seasonal activities, like ice-sculpture carvers and carolers. Hot beverages are available for purchase. This year, ZooLights adds several ticketed events, including a Holiday Market (Nov 27), an adults-only night (Nov 29), BrewLights (Dec 6), a live performance of music from A Charlie Brown Christmas (Dec 9), and a Zoo Year’s Eve celebration (Dec 31).
Dec 7-23, 26-30, and 31, January 1-6, 2019
Caroling at Cloud Gate
Bundle up and head over to The Bean to belt out everyone’s favorite holiday classics, as local Chicago choral groups lead hundreds of celebrants in song.
December 7, 12, & 14, Free Admission • 6-7pm
The Joffrey Ballet — The Nutcracker
The Joffrey Ballet presents their version of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless tale, The Nutcracker, set in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair. Staged at the historic Auditorium Theatre, Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s gorgeously visualized masterpiece is a must-see this holiday season.
December 7-30, 2018
The 35th Annual Music Box Christmas Double Feature & Sing-Along
Nothing will get you in the holiday spirit like watching ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ and ‘White Christmas’ back-to-back. The Music Box invites you and yours to sing along with Bing Crosby at its annual tribute to classic holiday cinema. Get there early to see Santa! You can get tickets to one or both films, but be there during intermission to belt out Christmas carols with everyone else.
December 7-24, 2018
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Cirque Dreams
Acrobats, illusionists, dancers, jugglers, and stilt-walkers perform in this holiday show, featuring more than 300 festive costumes, 20 acts, and original music. This unique holiday show is a combination of a broadway musical, a holiday stage spectacle, and a cirque show, all in one. The Holidaze cast will be holding 8 different performances, so grab tickets while you can and get ready for a special holiday experience.
December 12-16, 2018
Amy Schumer
Stand-up comedian Amy Schumer is coming to the city, and you won’t want to miss her performance at The Chicago Theatre. Catch one of her two hilarious shows this month; you won’t regret it.
December 19-20, 2018
Chicago Theatre Week
Sample Chicago’s vibrant theatre scene at a discount during Chicago Theatre Week as it returns for its seventh year, offering discounted tickets ($30 or less) to over 100 productions throughout the city, from big Broadway in Chicago shows to cutting-edge storefront productions.
Feb. 7 – 17, 2019
Chicago has plenty of activities to get you out of your warm and toasty house. Not a Chicagoan yet? Find your next apartment and become one before these events pass you by.
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