Things To Do In Chicago For Christmas

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest on the south-western shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is known as the Windy City. It is the third most populous city in the United States and home to the iconic Willis Tower, the nation’s tallest building. Chicago is also known for its stunning architecture, diverse neighborhoods, and vibrant culture. It’s no surprise that it’s a popular destination for tourists, especially during the festive season.

During the winter months, Chicago is transformed into a winter wonderland with plenty of things to do for visitors. From ice skating and festive markets to holiday light displays and festive theater performances, Chicago offers something for everyone during the holiday season. Here are some of the best things to do in Chicago for Christmas.

Admire The Christmas Lights

One of the most popular things to do in Chicago during the holiday season is admire the festive Christmas lights. The city is dotted with festive displays throughout the season and visitors can explore areas such as the Magnificent Mile, State Street, and Michigan Avenue for some of the best holiday light displays.

The Magnificent Mile is home to one of the largest and most spectacular Christmas light displays in the city. The area is lined with brightly lit trees, and visitors can marvel at the beautiful decorations while they stroll down the street. The area also hosts a variety of festive events throughout the season, including a special Christmas Day parade.

The State Street area is also known for its impressive Christmas light displays. The area is home to a number of iconic buildings, including Macy’s, Carson Pirie Scott, and Marshall Field’s. Visitors can enjoy the festive decorations while they explore the area.

Michigan Avenue is home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago. During the holiday season, visitors can take in the festive decorations while they explore the area. There are also a number of festive events held throughout the season, including special holiday performances and caroling.

Go Ice Skating

Ice skating is one of the most popular activities during Christmastime in Chicago. The city is home to a number of outdoor and indoor rinks, offering visitors plenty of options for an afternoon or evening of fun.

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is one of the city’s most popular outdoor rinks. Located in downtown Chicago, it offers stunning views of the city skyline while visitors skate around the ice. The rink is open from mid-November to mid-March each year and offers a variety of skate rental packages for visitors.

The Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon is another popular outdoor rink in Chicago. Located just north of Millennium Park, it offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. The rink is open from mid-November to late-February each year and also offers a variety of skate rental packages for visitors.

For those looking for an indoor skating experience, there are a number of rinks located throughout the city. The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville offers public skating sessions throughout the week and weekend, while McFetridge Sports Center in Lincoln Park offers a variety of skating classes for both adults and children.

Visit A Festive Market

Chicago is home to a number of festive markets during the holiday season. These markets offer visitors a unique shopping experience, with vendors selling handmade goods, unique gifts, and delicious food.

The Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza is one of the city’s most popular markets. Located in downtown Chicago, it features an array of handmade gifts and artisanal foods from around the world. Visitors can also enjoy live music performances, festive decorations, and delicious treats while they shop.

The Randolph Street Market Festival is another popular destination for holiday shopping. This indoor market features over 100 vendors selling vintage clothing, antiques, collectibles, art, furniture, jewelry, and more. Visitors can also enjoy live music performances and food trucks while they shop.

The Lincoln Park Zoo Lights is another festive market in Chicago. This annual event features over two million twinkling lights throughout the zoo, as well as a variety of vendors selling unique gifts and delicious treats. Visitors can also enjoy live music performances and interactive activities while they explore the zoo grounds.

Attend A Holiday Performance

Chicago is home to a variety of holiday performances throughout the season. From classic ballets to festive theatrical performances, there’s something for everyone during Christmastime in Chicago.

The Joffrey Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” is one of the city’s most beloved holiday performances. This classic ballet follows Clara on her magical journey through an enchanted world filled with sugarplums and toy soldiers. Performances take place from mid-November to early-January each year at the Auditorium Theatre in downtown Chicago.

The Goodman Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol” is another popular holiday performance. This classic tale follows Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey through Christmases past, present, and future as he learns about the spirit of Christmas. Performances take place from mid-November to early-January each year at Goodman Theatre in downtown Chicago.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra also performs a variety of holiday concerts throughout the season. These concerts feature some of their most beloved works, including Handel’s “Messiah” and Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite”. Performances take place from mid-November to early-January each year at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago.

Book A Tour Of The City

Chicago is home to a variety of tours that offer visitors an up close look at some of its most iconic landmarks and attractions. From architecture tours to historic sites tours, there are plenty of options for exploring the city during Christmastime in Chicago.

One popular tour is a narrated river cruise along the Chicago River. This tour takes visitors through some of the city’s most iconic sights, including Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and Buckingham Fountain. It also offers stunning views of some of Chicago’s best-known architecture, such as Marina City and Tribune Tower. Book a River Cruise here to learn more about this tour and other similar tours offered by Viator.

Another popular tour is an architectural walking tour through downtown Chicago. This tour takes visitors on a journey through some of Chicago’s most iconic architecture, including Mies van der Rohe’s Illinois Center and Louis Sullivan’s Auditorium Building. Along the way, visitors will learn about some of the city’s best-known architects and their works. Book an Architecture Tour here to learn more about this tour and other similar tours offered by GetYourGuide.

Finally, visitors can also take a guided bus tour through some of Chicago’s neighborhoods and landmarks. This tour takes visitors on a journey through some of the city’s most iconic sights, including Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park Zoo, Navy Pier, and more. Along the way, visitors will learn about some of Chicago’s unique neighborhoods and their histories. Book a Neighborhood Tour here to learn more about this tour and other similar tours offered by GetYourGuide.

Conclusion

Chicago is a vibrant city with plenty to do during Christmastime. From admiring Christmas lights to attending holiday performances, there are plenty of things to do for visitors during their stay in the Windy City. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon or evening of fun or want to explore some of its iconic landmarks, there’s something for everyone in Chicago during Christmastime.