Chicago Visitors Guide - 2025
Holiday happenings
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates 2025-01-21 13:37:13
Cooler Chicago weather signals a calendar warm-up with holiday events that celebrate the joy of fall and winter’s seasonal traditions.
Welcome October’s bright fall colors and crisp temps at Lincoln Park Zoo with professional pumpkin carvers, a harvest maze, and autumn-themed food and drinks during Fall Fest. The family-friendly fun continues at the end of the month with Spooky Zoo, when kids can trick or treat among the animals, make fun crafts, and watch live entertainment.
The Loop’s historic State Street comes alive at night with mesmerizing performers, marching bands, and elaborate costumes during the Arts in the Dark Halloween parade. Jaw-dropping puppetry and festive floats add to the free-wheeling atmosphere.
Experience over-the-top creativity at the Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade in the LGBTQ+ Northalsted neighborhood. The event ranks as one of the top Halloween parades in the country. Don’t miss the high-energy awards presentation and music performances after the parade.
The National Museum of Mexican Art celebrates Mexico’s meaningful traditions with Day of the Dead Xicágo, where you can view ornate altars honoring departed loved ones and try cultural activities like sugar skull decorating.
The Chicago Botanic Garden in suburban Glencoe hosts the thrilling Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns, when illuminated artist-carved pumpkins line the many garden trails. Costumed entertainers and live carving demos are also part of the fun.
The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade kicks off the holiday season with over 100 floats led by Teddy the Turkey, the official parade mascot who’s joined by marching bands, celebrities, and Santa Claus. Watch for the whimsical mega balloon characters that drift down the parade route.
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, the largest nighttime parade in the U.S., marches along Chicago’s Michigan Avenue and illuminates more than one million twinkling holiday lights.
Stop by Daley Plaza in the Loop during the annual Christkindlmarket Chicago. This German holiday market features traditional German foods like bratwurst and potato pancakes, alongside handcrafted gifts such as wooden toys and beautiful ornaments.
Head to Navy Pier for Light Up The Lake, where you can race down an ice slide, shop an artisan market, join in craft workshops, meet Santa, see holiday-themed drone shows, and watch dazzling fireworks on Saturday nights.
Visit Millennium Park for holiday festivities like the annual Lighting of the City of Chicago Christmas Tree, which towers in all its glory over Michigan Avenue. Join the Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along, featuring an array of local groups singing holiday songs from various cultures.
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry hosts one of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions with Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light, a fantastic display of more than 50 trees that surround the four-story Grand Tree, with exhibits that reflect holiday traditions from all over the globe.
Lincoln Park’s ZooLights offers a twinkling winter wonderland that includes food and drinks, costumed characters, an enchanted forest, a light maze, and a towering 18-foot-tall holiday tree.
Over two million glowing LED lights illuminate suburban Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s Holiday Magic, where you’ll encounter light tunnels, massive animal-shaped displays, and trees festively decorated by local community groups.
Wander along a trail of glowing installations, music, and vibrant colors during Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden. View stunning light sculptures, singing trees, and laser light displays.
African dancing, drumming, and singing that highlight the seven principles of Kwanzaa are joyful elements of the week-long Kwanzaa Celebration at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.
Celebrate the first day of Hanukkah beneath a 31-foot-tall menorah during the Menorah Lighting Celebration at Daley Plaza in the Loop. A DJ spinning tunes and samplings of traditional fried jelly donuts round out the festivities.
Embrace the holidays with loads of attractions and events during Winterland at Gallagher Way, held at historic Wrigley Field. Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville offers a charming selection of gifts, along with German food and drinks. At Santa’s Workshop, snap a selfie with Santa, take a spin on a carousel ride, and join in a holiday-themed workshop. Holiday Movies at Gallagher Way presents classic, family-friendly flicks like Elf and A Christmas Story. Attend the 8th Night 8th Light Hanukkah Celebration, a Jewish community commemoration. At Gallagher Ice Rink, glide around on skates or ice bumper cars.
WINTER FUN
Whirl around one of Chicago’s largest outdoor ice rinks and catch magical views of the skyline at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park.
For an icy adventure, whip along the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon. Glide past snow-covered trees and the mountain-like Climbing Wall for some of the most scenic ice skating in the city.
Midway Plaisance Ice Rink showcases the historic elegance of Hyde Park and The University of Chicago campus as you skate the rink, located on the site of the world’s first-ever Ferris wheel, a major attraction at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
Cozy up to bonfires and watch husky sled dogs in action during Polar Adventure Days at Big Marsh Park. Guided bird hikes, live music, and winter crafts top off the activities.
Whoosh down the 220-foot slope of the Soldier Field Sledding Hill, where frosty fun is guaranteed thanks to a snow machine that cranks out the fluffy stuff.
Bundle up for winter games in the sky at The Gwen hotel’s rooftop curling rink. The iceless rink offers sweeping city views, as well as hot drinks and a fire pit to help players keep warm.
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