Annual Holiday Activities in Chicago Return

Chicago is full of ways to celebrate the holiday season. While major events like the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Millenium Park and Lights Festival on the Magnificent Mile have passed, Chicago still offers plenty of holiday-themed events and places to visit during the winter season.

Macy’s Great Tree 

Macy’s Department Store has a 45-foot Christmas tree hanging from the ceiling of the Walnut Room free to check out on the seventh floor of Macy’s on 111 N. State St. Dinner is available in the Walnut Room with reservations required. Macy’s has plentiful holiday decorations inside and outside the store to see.

Lincoln Park ZooLights 

Every day at 4:30 p.m. until Jan. 7, the annual Lincoln Park ZooLights event is open and running for its 29th year. Tickets are $7-10 depending on the day, but admission is free on Mondays with reservations. The event includes a variety of light displays and shows as well as various photo opportunities. For an extra fee starting at $4, visitors can ride the ferris wheel or go through the Light Maze. 

A Sensory-Friendly Night will be hosted Wednesday, Dec. 6 as a more accessible option for attendees who may be sensitive to harsh sounds or light. Tickets are $7. Lights will be static and the music lowered if not off.

Christkindlmarket

The annual German Christmas market Christkindlmarket is back for the season. The market is hosted in various locations around the Chicago land area including Aurora, Wrigleyville and downtown in Daley Plaza. 

Admission is free and there are a variety of vendors to get food and other souvenirs from, including annual collectible mugs, according to their website. Favorite food items include sauerkraut, Belgian hot chocolate and other traditional German food. 

Ice Skating at Millenium Park

There are two ice skating rinks in downtown Chicago — one at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and one at the Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon. 

Both require tickets ahead of time and have availability to be free at certain times if visitors bring their own skates, according to both websites. 

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink is open Nov. 17 through March 3. Free lessons are available from 9-10 a.m. on most Saturdays and Sundays. Time slots are 90 minutes with the first time slot starting at 11 a.m. and the last time slot ending at 10:30 p.m. Skate rentals start at $16 and $2 locker rentals are available, according to their website.

Maggie Daley Ice Skating Ribbon is open Nov. 17 through March 10. They are open everyday of the week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Skate rentals start at $16 with locker rentals starting at $3. Select tickets are $2 cheaper online than in person, according to their website.

CTA Holiday Train

The CTA has been having a Holiday Train and Bus since 1992 with decorated trains with working elves passing out candy canes and even Santa himself.

The Holiday trains and buses only run at certain times on certain lines, according to their website. The transit runs like a normal train or bus, making the same stops and using CTA passes the same way. 

The Red Line departs Howard Thursday, Dec. 7 at 3:13 p.m. and departing 95th/Dan Ryan at 4:46 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 9 departing Howard at 12:16 p.m. and departing 95th/Dan Ryan at 3:01 p.m.

Navy Pier’s Light up the Lake

Navy Pier hosts the largest “indoor and outdoor holiday experience in Chicago,” according to their website. 

During the holidays, Navy Pier is a one-stop shop for many activities including ice skating, ax throwing and rides on the Centennial Wheel, with many more activities hosted only on the weekend like workshops, shopping opportunities, live music and more. 

Every Saturday in December, they will have winter fireworks at 9 p.m. and tickets are available on the Navy Pier website. 

Some events are free, like the festive lights and weekend live music, while other attractions including ice skating and the Centennial Wheel require tickets starting at $15 each. Ax throwing is the cheapest ticketed event with tickets starting at $5 for five throws.

Dec. 31 is the last day of the event.

Wintrust Winterland at Gallagher Way

Inside Wrigley Field and next to Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville lies Wintrust Winterland at Gallagher Way. The event is full of winter activities including an ice rink for bumper cars and ice skating, a ferris wheel, swings, carousel, teacups and more.

More information on tickets, price, hours and activities can be found on Wrigley Field’s website.

On Tuesdays Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Jan. 2 entrance is free if tickets are reserved online in advance. Use code WINTRUST at this website to reserve.

On-site tickets start at $4.

Bars and Pop-Ups 

A newer Hanukkah themed bar and restaurant named 8 Crazy Nights is open in Lakeview. Over-the-top decorations and food can be found at Santa Baby Christmas Bar in Wrigleyville, where reservations are strongly recommended, according to their website. Also in Wrigleyville, Elf’d Up is decorated with over 1000 elves and is in the theme of the 2003 movie “Elf” according to their website.

Frosty’s in Old Town claims to be Chicago’s “original Christmas holiday popup bar” with four bars, three floors, two dance floors and endless Christmas fun, according to their website. Tickets are required and start at $23.

Featured image by Ryan Pittman / The Phoenix