Visiting Chicago for Christmas is a Favorite Family Tradition
In our family, we love all holidays and the traditions that come with them.
When the Christmas season rolls around, we upgrade our tradition game and embrace all things merry and jolly.
A Chicago Christmas, sometimes by taking the train from Michigan, is one of my favorite things to do in Chicago with kids!
My husband and I have been visiting Chicago for Christmas since before we had kids.
Just thinking about walking down Michigan Avenue after dark with the holiday lights glowing gets me giddy for Christmas. And the Christkindl Market, yes!
A stroll downtown includes street performers playing Christmas songs, the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers, lighted garlands and trees everywhere and store windows decorated to the max.
If you’re considering a visit this holiday season, read on to see why a Chicago Christmas trip should be on your list.
*This article contains affiliate links
In this article
13 Best Chicago Christmas Things to Do
If you’re headed to the Windy City this holiday season, here are the best things to do in Chicago during this merry time of year:
1 – Shop the Christkindl Market
November 20 – December 24, 2026
Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift? Christkindlmarket is your destination.
This massive outdoor market offers a German Christmas experience in Chicago. Find treasures of all kinds, from handmade ornaments to food vendors, family-friendly events & intercultural activities.
Pro Tip:
Be sure to find the Kinder Club; they offer activities, prizes and entertainment for children.
2 – See the ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
ZooLights runs November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027 from 4:30 – 9 PM daily. Closed on Thanksgiving, Dec 8, 15, 24, and 25.
The Lincoln Park Zoo becomes a holiday winter wonderland, lit up with over 2.5 million Christmas lights! It’s truly a sight to see and my kids’ favorite thing to do in Chicago at Christmas.
Zoolights is back this year with a fresh show and familiar glow featuring 2.5 million LED lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and seasonal experiences. Soar above the treetops on the 65-foot Ferris wheel for breathtaking views of the skyline and the sparkling lights.
The animal exhibits are open, and we’ve found the animals to be very active in the evening.
Tickets are required for all guests, including infants and children.
Pro Tips:
- Arrive at dusk or try to go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
- Admission to Lincoln Park Zoo is free, but ZooLights is a ticketed event. Buy tickets in advance online.
- Parking can get pricey – consider public transit or a car service.
- Buy “light-up Christmas necklaces” for your kids ahead of time at a dollar store. They are pricey at the zoo, and every kid wants one.
3 – Skate the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park
Michigan Ave. between Washington & Madison Streets, Chicago, IL 60602
Located on Michigan Avenue, this skating experience is one your family will remember.
Be sure to capture photos here, with holiday decorations and downtown Chicago skyscrapers surrounding your little skaters.
Bring your own skates and skate for free (rentals are also available). Skating time reservations are required.
Make sure to stop by “The Bean” for a few photos too. During the holidays, you often find carolers gathered nearby.
4 – Oooh and Ahhh at Macy’s Holiday Window Display on State Street
111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602
From mid-November through January, Macy’s State Street storefront windows transform into a magical holiday display with elaborate, imaginative themes.
5 – Marvel at Christmas Around The World at the Museum of Science and Industry
5700 S. DuSable, Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637
Holiday exhibit opens November 7, 2026.
This annual Christmas exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry runs from mid-November through early January.
The showcase features a 45-foot, floor-to-ceiling Grand Tree surrounded by 50 smaller trees representing Chicago’s diversity and holiday traditions.
The museum has tons of kid-friendly exhibits, so plan to spend most of the day exploring. We love it here because of the many hands-on experiences.
Photos with Santa are available on certain days (separate tickets are required).
Pro Tip:
The Museum of Science and Industry has a reciprocal membership with the Air Zoo.
- The membership offers two adults and up to four children under 18 living in their home free basic admission to the museum.
- You must have your current Air Zoo Membership Card, photo ID and proof of residency.
6 – Get Yourself to the Jack Frost Holiday Pop-up
170 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60642
Marketed as “The Biggest Outdoor, Interactive Christmas Event in the Heart of Chicago,” this destination promises to engage all your senses.
This 2-acre experience includes ice skating, holiday pop-up shops, axe throwing, bumper cars, cocktails, photo ops and more.
Open to all ages. Reservations required.
7 – Shop the Magnificent Mile
Michigan Avenue, Downtown Chicago
Magnificent Mile shopping, here we come!
Water Tower Place is home to the LEGO and American Girl stores, plus many brand stores teenagers love.
You’ll also find the storied Starbucks Reserve here. Go inside for splendid drinks, café items, a bar, and be sure to take the curved escalator to the top.
Pro Tip:
Use Google Maps to plan your shopping strategy and make dinner reservations on OpenTable well before your planned dining date.
8 – Go to a Christmas Show or Holiday Event
Chicago hosts fun, annual holiday events. We recommend scheduling your Chicago Christmas visit to include at least one of these:
November 21, 2026, The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival – One million lights illuminate the trees along The Magnificent Mile! (FREE)
November 26, 2026: Thanksgiving Day Parade (FREE)
December 4, 2026: Christmas Tree Ship
Chicago Christmas Shows
Dec 9 – Dec 27, 2026: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical
Dec 4 – 27, 2026  The Nutcracker at Lyric Opera House
Opens Dec 5, 2026: Beatrice Potter Holiday Tea Party (for kids up to age 8)
9 – JoJo’s Winter Wonderland at the River North Location for Holiday Shakes & Photo Ops
23 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
They have a walk-up window, or you can reserve a table in the Christmas-themed patio pop-up area.
They also serve food, hot chocolate, and a milk-and-cookie flight. Make reservations.
10 – Dine at the Walnut Room in Macy’s
111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602
Head into Macy’s flagship store to warm up and have lunch at the foot of the beautifully decorated 45-foot tree, which has over 25,000 lights.
The world-famous Walnut Room was the first restaurant to open in a department store.
With Circassian wood paneling imported from Russia and Austrian chandeliers, the 17,000-square-foot dining room is both elegant and comfortable.
Conveniently located in the heart of Chicago’s theatre district, the Walnut Room is an excellent place to take a break from shopping or enjoy a meal and a glass of wine before the show.
Pro Tips:
- Make lunch reservations ahead of time.
- Lunch is a wonderful experience and a nice way to save money.
11 – Ride the CTA Holiday Train
Unique to a Chicago Christmas, the Chicago Transit Authority offers the CTA Holiday Train.
Take a ride aboard the city’s elevated train known as the “L” and you may just find Santa or one of his elves handing out candy canes.
Select train cars are also decked out with holiday lights, and Santa may even be driving!
Pro Tip:
Children under 7 ride free with a paying adult on all city trains and buses. If traveling with a stroller, not all city train stations have elevators. Check their website to find stations with elevators.
12 – Try the Ice Skating Ribbon & Epic Slides at Maggie Daley Park
337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
The Ice Skating Ribbon opens mid-November, weather permitting.
After visiting Millennium Park, head to nearby Maggie Daley Park.
Both Maggie Daley Park and Millennium Park sit within Grant Park on Chicago’s waterfront. Near Museum Campus, the area draws locals and tourists alike.
This park changes with the seasons. In the wintertime, visit the Ice Skating Ribbon. The quarter-mile loop’s gentle slope is covered with ice and open for skating.
Also at Maggie Daley Park: The Play Garden. Do not skip this!
Filled with amazing play spaces for all ages, our favorite is the Slide Crater. Towers, a suspension bridge, and a multitude of slides converge on the crater for an amazing afternoon of play. And it’s free!
My kids love it here and would probably be happy to spend an entire afternoon exploring, climbing and swinging.
13 – Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022
Lightscape runs November 13, 2026 – January 3, 2027.
“An illuminated trail for enchanting winter nights” –Chicago Botanic Garden
Head just outside the city for an unforgettable night strolling through the illuminated landscape of the Chicago Botanic Garden.
The Chicago Botanic Garden is easy to reach, approximately 20 miles north of Chicago.
You can buy tickets in advance online or in person. (Tickets are subject to availability.)
Get ready for some seasonal magic at Lightscape, where you’ll be dazzled by sparkling lights, music, and amazing art.
More Fun Things to Do in Chicago
Chicago is a big place, full of family-friendly activities. While these suggestions are not specific to the holiday season, we recommend them as add-ons to your visit anytime during your stay in the Windy City:
Color Factory
Interactive journey through 14 immersive art exhibits as stunning as they are colorful. Tickets
Sloomoo Institute
Slime museum experience. Tickets
Museum of Ice Cream
Interactive ice cream experience. Tickets.
Sugar Factory – Chicago River North
55 E Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
This restaurant is in demand and is a lot of fun. Sugar Factory is TikTok famous for its Smoking Goblet Cocktails (you can get these without alcohol). Book in advance to secure your time slot. Reservations
Chicago Architecture River Cruise by Shoreline Sightseeing
401 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
If weather permits, this is a fun way to see the city and rest your legs.
On this architecture-focused cruise, get views of Chicago’s most famous buildings and insider info from an expert guide. View the skyline from the Chicago River while listening to live commentary.
WNDR Museum
1130 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60607
The WNDR Museum is a hands-on, immersive art experience perfect for selfie lovers.
Everything Else – Get a CityPASS
CityPASS tickets are a great option if you want to see lots of attractions and save on admission. Available for adults and children.
Your pass is valid for 9 consecutive days starting with and including the first day you visit an attraction. You have one year from the purchase date to start using your tickets.
Choose from a 3-attraction pass or a 5-attraction pass.
A C3 CityPass Ticket includes admission to 3 attractions of your choice from this list:
– Shedd Aquarium
– Skydeck Chicago
– Art Institute of Chicago
– Museum of Science and Industry
– 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
– Adler Planetarium
– Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour
– Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier
Your CityPASS C5 Ticket includes admission to 5 attractions, including:
– Shedd Aquarium
– Skydeck Chicago
Plus, get admission to 3 more attractions of your choice. No need to choose now—decide later.
– Field Museum
– Art Institute of Chicago
– Museum of Science and Industry
– 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
– Adler Planetarium
– Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour
*During busy times such as summer, spring break, and holidays, it’s especially important to plan ahead and make any necessary reservations.
Chicago Travel Tips
Getting to Chicago and navigating a big city can be intimidating. Use these travel tips to make your commute a breeze:
Take the Train to Chicago
If you arrive by train, you don’t need to worry about traffic, parking, bathroom breaks or snow-covered roads.
Take Amtrak or the South Shore to visit Chicago. You can easily leave from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, or even Michigan City, IN. Amtrak will deliver you to Union Station in downtown Chicago.
Learn How to Use the Buses & Trains Offered by CTA
Driving around Chicago and finding parking can be a chore, and it gets pricey quickly. If you can find a good place to park, leave the car and use the bus or train to get where you need to go.
Google Maps does a great job of helping you find the routes you need to take to get to your destination.
Buy a 1-day or 3-day CTA pass and your family will travel easily while you’re in town.
Parking Apps are Helpful
Parking apps can help you find open parking spaces and compare the prices of different spots.
You can even reserve a parking spot in advance.
If you’re staying in a hotel with a high overnight parking fee, you might be able to find a nearby lot using an app for a fraction of the hotel’s price.
Parking apps that work well in Chicago include SpotHero, ParkWhiz, ParkMobile, and ParkChicago.
Download the app of your choice before your trip, create an account, and input your credit card info to make travel a breeze.
Expect Toll Roads
Driving to Chicago usually involves some travel on toll roads.
The Chicago Skyway is a 7.8-mile toll road connecting the Indiana Toll Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway on Chicago’s South Side. You can pay in cash, by card or with E-ZPass.
Be Prepared For the Windy City
Chicago has earned its windy city nickname. In November and December, Chicago can be bitterly cold.
Since many Christmas activities are outdoors, pack warm coats, mittens and hats. If you have younger children in strollers, bring blankets, too.
Despite the potentially chilly temperatures, the stores and streets will still be busy. Family events may be busy, too.
We find if we plan for extra time to get places and go into it knowing that there will be crowds, we end up a lot happier.
Where to Stay in Chicago
Try these suggestions for vacation rentals or hotels during your Chicago visit at Christmas:
Hyatt River North
66 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL, 60654
This Hyatt Place Chicago hotel is great, especially if you have a bigger family. You can get a room with two beds and a pull out couch, perfect for a family of 5. Free grab-and-go breakfast included. 8 minute walk to Magnificent Mile.
Embassy Suites Magnificent Mile
511 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60611
A pool, 2-room suites, and a great location just blocks away from Magnificent Mile Shopping and State Street attractions are what drew us to this hotel. That, and the free made-to-order breakfast and evening reception!
Swissotel Chicago
323 E Wacker Dr, Chicago Loop, Chicago, IL 60601
Excellent location just north of the Museum District and close to the river. They offer the SWISSOTEL KIDS SUITE, which includes a two-room suite: One room for adults and the signature Swissotel Kids Room.
This special package also includes a complimentary in-room movie and breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children.
Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
12 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Located right across the street from Millennium Park, you couldn’t ask for a better location. Plus, this hotel has suites that are perfect for families, and Shake Shack is available for in-room dining.
This hotel also has a great backstory. This 1893 Venetian Gothic landmark is a living, breathing ode to Chicago’s rich story was a club for the elite that is now open to everyone (the library has a Harry Potter feel!)
Stop in and check out the Game Room and the Drawing Room on the 2nd Floor and then book a room because you’re going to love what you see. Oh, and Cindy’s, their rooftop bar, is one of the tops in the whole city.
Check for Vacation Rentals – VRBO or Airbnb
Hotels are everywhere in Chicago, but they’re not always the best option for a family.
Hotel rooms in Chicago’s downtown area are notoriously small. Historic buildings don’t easily adapt to modern space preferences, so travelers often end up in rooms smaller than they’d like.
Many families opt for vacation rentals as an alternative because they offer more living space.
The map below shows hotels and vacation rentals in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile to help you get started.
Do you visit Chicago at Christmas Time?
Are you a Chicago Christmas traveler? Leave us a comment with your favorite activities or tips for visiting!
More to Explore
