Are you visiting Chicago at Christmas time? If so, you might be looking for things to do in Chicago at Christmas time.
I adore Chicago, and it’s definitely one of the most festive places you can visit during the Christmas season!
Spending Christmas in Chicago is wonderful, and you’ll be absolutely in your element if you love holiday festivities and all that goes along with the festive season!
After all, some of my favorite Christmas movies are set in Chicago (I’m looking at you, Home Alone!) so you just know Chicago is a city that ramps up the festivity.
Spending Christmas in Chicago is super special – and hopefully the suggestions on my list will give you plenty of ideas for what to do and where to go!
Christmas Around the World
- Website: msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/christmas-around-the-world/
- Address: 5700 S DuSable Lk Shr Dr, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
First on my guide to things to do at Christmas time in Chicago, it’s Christmas Around the World.
Chicago museums are gorgeous at the best of times. However, they really take things to the next level during the festive season. If you want to experience the best of Christmas in Chicago, then you need to head to the Museum of Science and Industry.
This famous museum is home to the annual Christmas Around the World display, which shows off 50 incredible decorated trees. These trees all represent different country traditions, so you can learn more about the wonders of Christmas across the globe in one handy exhibition.
Be sure to take plenty of time to look at the Grand Tree; each year, this wonderous, nearly 50-foot-tall tree is decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. It’s truly a sight to behold, so don’t miss out.
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Head to Millennium Park for the tree lighting
- Website: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park.html
- Address: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
One of my top things to do if you’re spending Christmas in Chicago is to watch the famous tree-lighting ceremony at Millennium Park.
The city’s largest tree stands (it comes in at over 50 feet!) near the famous Chicago Bean, and each year, Chicagoans flock to watch the ceremony.
There are usually performances and plenty of music during the tree lighting ceremony, so be sure to arrive with time to spare to ensure that you get a good vantage point. After you watch the ceremony, I highly recommend taking a gentle stroll around the park itself. It’ll be chilly, so wrap up warm!
If you miss the lighting ceremony – don’t worry! You can go and admit the tree any time after the tree it lit for the season.
Read more about Chicago: 17 restaurants open on Christmas Day in Chicago
Visit Goose Island for the Jack Frost Winter Walk
- Website: https://welcometojacks.com/
- Address: Goose Island at 1267 W Le Moyne Street, Chicago
Next on my list of things to do in Chicago at Christmas, it’s the Jack Frost Winter Walk. Visitors to the city absolutely adore the Jack Frost Winter Walk and the Christmas Tree Farm on Goose Island.
This awesome seasonal pop-up offers plenty of festive fun, and each year they offer mazes, bouncy castles, photo opportunities, bumper cars, and even axe throwing!
If you get peckish, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Jack Frost Winter Walk features plenty of food and drink trucks for hungry diners. A Christmas miracle!
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Check out the Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights
- Website: https://www.lpzoo.org/
- Address: Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Next on my list of things to do in Chicago at Christmas, it’s Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. If you’re on the hunt for something mesmerizing to do, then be sure to check out ZooLights.
Presented annually at Lincoln Park Zoo, this wonderful display of lights is a must-see for any tourist or local. As well as giving visitors a dazzling light display, ZooLights is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Chicago as it also has various seasonal activities on offer for kids and adults alike.
You won’t be able to see much of the animals during ZooLights as the exhibits won’t be open for the event. However, you might catch a glimpse of them if you’re lucky!
Read more about Chicago during the holidays: Top 12 Christmas-themed restaurants and bars in Chicago
Visit the Christkindl Market
- Website: https://www.christkindlmarket.com/
- Address: 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
I couldn’t write a guide to Christmas in Chicago, and not mention this epic Christmas market! Chicago’s very own Christkindl market will make you feel as though you’ve stepped right into Bavaria.
Featuring classic food and drinks such as mulled wine and gingerbread, you’ll be spoiled for choice!
Don’t forget to pick up a few Christmas gifts while you’re here; the market features some lovely handmade trinkets that make excellent and unique gifts.
Read more about visiting Chicago: The top 15 toy shops in Chicago!
Ice Skating!
- Website: https://maggiedaleypark.com/things-to-do-see/skating-ribbon/
- Address: 337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Christmas just isn’t Christmas without some ice skating. Grab your skates and head to Maggie Daley Park if you’re spending Christmas in Chicago; we can assure you, it won’t disappoint!
The rink at Maggie Daley Park is free, so all you’ll need to do is book a spot online and skate away.
But there are quite a few ice-skating rinks in Chicago, so you could essentially check off a different one each day of your trip if you fancied!
Be aware that it does get extremely cold during Christmas in Chicago, so be sure to grab a hat, scarf, gloves and anything else you’ll need to keep warm.
Read more Chicago restaurant recommendations: Top 18 restaurants for Christmas Eve dinner in Chicago
Have a meal at the Walnut Room
- Website: http://macysrestaurants.com/walnut-room/
- Address: 111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Who doesn’t love a great meal and an enormous Christmas tree? The Walnut room is next on our list of things to do at Christmas time in Chicago, and it’s so festive and fun.
The Walnut Room at Macy’s is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city, and certainly deserves a spot on anyone’s itinerary in the city.
You can either just grab a drink and enjoy the setting, or you can enjoy a full table-service meal at the Walnut Room. It’s slightly pricey but well worth it, and it’ll make you feel so very festive an
Look at the Christmas Lights at Art on theMART
- Website: https://artonthemart.com/
- Address: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 470, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
One of the more unique things to do for Christmas in Chicago is pay a visit to Art on theMART. You’ll probably never have seen anything quite like this attraction, as it’s the biggest digital projection of art in the entire world.
The art that’s projected is usually contemporary in nature, and guests will be treated to 30 minutes of projections twice an evening.
You can easily catch the show from the Chicago Riverwalk, and it’s free for all! If we’re being honest, this may be one of our favorite free things to do for Christmas in Chicago.
It’s magical, it’s mystical, and it costs absolutely nothing too!
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Try and spot the CTA Holiday Train
- Website: https://loopchicago.com/listings/cta-holiday-train-and-bus
- Address: No official address (it’s a train)
I love the CTA Holiday Train. As one of the lesser-known things to do during Christmas in Chicago, we had to give it a mention.
Although it’s a simple thing, you’ll be wave to the CTA holiday train during the month of December and see Santa riding through the city.
The special train is decorated with thousands of lights, so it really is an incredible sight to see.
Sure, it’s a bit gimmicky, but it’s one of those things that you just have to do if you’re spending Christmas in Chicago.
Get some Christmas shopping done
- Website: https://www.themagnificentmile.com/
- Address: Magnificent Mile, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Although there are plenty of awesome light displays during Christmas in Chicago, there are also a great deal of shopping opportunities!
If you haven’t grabbed all your gifts for the holidays yet, then why not visit Chicago’s Magnificent Mile?
This famous shopping street features everything from classic designer stores to beautifully decorated department stores.
Whatever you’re on the hunt for, we can guarantee that you’ll find it here for Christmas in Chicago.
Read more about Chicago: 28 fun things to do in Chicago at night!
See the beautiful lights at The Morton Arboretum
- Website: https://mortonarb.org/
- Address: 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL 60532, United States
Another fantastic place to see lights at Christmas in Chicago is the Morton Arboretum. Starting at the end of November each year, this immersive experience is perfect for families.
The light display usually runs to the beginning of January, so you have plenty of time to visit during the festive season!
All lights are said to be sustainable, making it the perfect way to be conscious.
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Frosty’s Christmas Bar
- Website: https://www.welovefrostys.com/
- Address: 809 W Evergreen Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
If you’re going to be spending Christmas in Chicago and are on the hunt for a festive tipple, then be sure to visit Goose Island on Evergreen.
Each year, visitors will find Frosty’s Christmas Bar emerge.
For obvious reasons, this isn’t a year-round attraction. However, when Christmas in Chicago arrives, so does Frosty’s!
This bar offers unique drinks and various themed photo opportunities. So, if you’re looking for a festive place to visit that’s also great for the ‘gram, then this is an ideal thing to add to your list of things to do at Christmas in Chicago.
IO Godfreys
- Website: https://iogodfrey.com/menus/
- Address: 127 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Believe it or not, Chicago does have year-round rooftop bars. And if you’re in the mood for something a bit different during your trip to Chicago at Christmas…
Then I think you’ll love this. Christmas in Chicago is amazing, and this is an epic choice to add to your list of things to do during Christmas in Chicago.
Go Christmas tree spotting
- Website: https://loopchicago.com/in-the-loop/iconic-christmas-trees-in-the-chicago-loop/
- Address: Lots of locations around the city
Christmas in Chicago is kind of a big deal… so you can expect to see and find many Christmas trees around the city.
One of the most lovely (and free!) things you can do at Christmas in Chicago, is to go Christmas tree hunting! Set out to find as many of the city’s Christmas trees as you possible can!
Top tip: One of my favorite Christmas trees in Chicago has to be this show-stopper on Michigan Avenue…
Take a stroll through some residential neighborhoods
- Website: cbsnews.com/chicago/news/neighborhoods-with-the-best-holiday-lights-in-chicago/
- Address: Lots of different ones in the city!
OK, my next suggestion for things to do during Christmas in Chicago, it’s taking a stroll through some of the city’s suburban neighborhoods.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll probably appreciate having a nosy at other people’s home, and strolling through some of the post suburban neighborhoods is so beautiful when they have all their Christmas lights and Christmas decoration out on show!
Snow covered Bean!
- Website: choosechicago.com/articles/tours-and-attractions/the-bean-chicago/
- Address: 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Ok, this next idea for things to do during Christmas in Chicago, is visit the Bean (or Cloud Gate – if you’re using it’s official name)!
The iconic Bean sculpture is one of the most famous parts of Chicago, and this doesn’t change during Christmas! In fact, it’s a little more magical at Christmas time!
If you’re lucky enough to get some snow whilst spending Christmas in Chicago, then you need to go and get a photo of the Chicago Bean covered in snow! It’s magical!
