Christmas In Chicago : Best Things To Do | Holiday Markets, Shows & Events

There’s no time like the holidays in Chicago, where you can’t help but feel the magic of the holiday season. Each winter, the city is full of bustling excitement and seasonal celebrations, from The Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park to our vibrant neighborhoods.

And no matter what holidays you observe, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate. You can admire twinkling light displays, go ice skating with skyline views, shop for gifts in a charming neighborhood boutique or pop-up market, catch a holiday show in a stunning downtown theatre, or sip hot cocoa while strolling our snow-dusted streets.  

Here are just a few of our favorite holiday events, including festive light displays, family-friendly activities, and beloved traditions this winter season in Chicago.

See the holiday lights

It’s not the holidays in Chicago without dazzling light displays around every corner. Check out ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, when the historic zoo is illuminated by millions of colorful lights, including moving displays set to music. Don’t miss special events like holiday concerts, a sensory-friendly evening, an adult’s night out, and more.

In the nearby suburbs, Brookfield Zoo hosts its annual Holiday Magic display, a local tradition for more than 40 years. Zoo-goers can stroll along the many pathways lit with more than two million twinkling lights, including the 600-foot-long Tunnel of Lights with thousands of colored bulbs all synchronized to music.

Just outside the city, Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden is an immersive nature-inspired experience that allows visitors to explore the scenic garden grounds after dark. Walk the illuminated trail and admire the various light installations that transform the natural landscape into a dazzling wonderland.

And in nearby Lisle, Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum is another breathtaking outdoor experience. The one-mile paved path winds through the sprawling arboretum and offers views of captivating lighting designs. Afterward, cozy up by the fire to make s’mores and head to the concessions tent.

Explore more: Check out all our favorite spots to see Christmas lights in Chicago.

Explore a charming Christmas marketPhoto by Abel Arciniega

Experience the magic of an authentic German Christmas market at the always-buzzing Christkindlmarket.

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