The best Christmas things to do during the holidays in Chicago

The iconic German-inspired holiday market at Daley Plaza brings just over a month of Christmassy celebrations to the Loop. Browse stalls stocked with handmade gifts, German food and plenty of hot beverages to keep you warm while you wander around and soak in the festive atmosphere. Don't leave without trying spiced glühwein, a German hot wine concoction that's best enjoyed in the market's famous boot mugs.

You might not ever get the chance to throw a pitch at Wrigley Field, but you can lace up your skates and hit the ice inside the iconic baseball field this winter. Winterland at Gallagher Way, the annual holiday experience that offers programming (like Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville) beside the field, is again moving some of its wintry attractions inside the ballpark for the 2023 season, including the 12,000-square-foot Gallagher Ice Rink. Rent a pair of skates and take a spin before checking out on-field games, carnival rides and a miniature train, or grab tickets to ride around on the rink’s ice bumper cars. You can grab drinks at The Lodge, an après-ski style pop-up bar inside the park complete with cozy firepits.

Every year, the Museum of Science and Industry puts up its four-story Grand Tree and surrounds the towering pine with more than 50 trees that represent Chicago's various communities and their respective holiday celebrations. Visitors will be able to take in even more seasonal cheer at the accompanying "Holidays of Light" exhibit, which recognizes the traditions of Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Visakha Puja Day and St. Lucia Day. Admission to "Christmas Around the World" and "Holidays of Light" is included with a regular Museum of Science and Industry ticket.

Every year, Millennium Park is adorned with an epic Christmas tree that remains on display until the beginning of the new year. The larger-than-life attraction is festooned with twinkling lights and crowned with an illuminated star. Spectators can check out the festive tree near Washington Street and Michigan Avenue through early January. Want to see the tree light up for the first time this season? The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony returns this year on Friday, November 17.

Get ready for a festive ride—the CTA Holiday Train and Bus are coming to town! The train is decked out in twinkling holiday lights, with Santa and his reindeer riding outside to wave at families—you can spot the festive locomotive in CTA stations throughout the city from November 24 through December 21. The CTA Holiday Bus, on the other hand, will hit the road on November 28 and make its rounds through December 22. Check the CTA website for the full schedule of train and bus routes.

Ready to get into the holiday spirit? The Morton Arboretum's annual holiday light show returns for its 11th anniversary as a mile-long, walk-through spectacle of LED lights and music, featuring a blend of new and returning light displays set amid 50 acres of trees. Back again this year is "Electric Illumination," a series of late-night parties with DJ-curated playlists that will synchronize progressive house and '80s dance beats with the light shows, as well as "IllumiBrew," a special evening where guests can sample beers and ciders from local breweries. Timed entry tickets for Illumination, which will run from November 18 through January 6, go on sale October 23 for nonmembers and vary in price based on date and time.

Situated in the heart of downtown Chicago with the city's sweeping skyline as a backdrop, the Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is a winter attraction unlike any other. Skaters can lace up and wind around a winding ice-covered path that's twice the length of a lap around a traditional rink. Reservations for the popular ice rink should be made in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly.

Admission to the Skating Ribbon is free Monday through Thursday and for 11am sessions Friday through Sunday (and $5 for other time slots Friday through Sunday, as well as holidays) if you bring your own skates. No skates? Entry is $16–$22 if you need to rent a pair. The Ribbon stays open through March (weather permitting) and even offers hours on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

The Chicago Botanic Garden hosts this annual (and quick to sell out) display of festive lights, giving guests a host of shimmering reasons to visit the forest preserve during the holiday season. Set along an illuminated path, the after-dark experience features a series of installations to explore, including a 110-foot tunnel made up of 100,000 lights and a group of trees festooned in bulbs that "sing" holiday songs. This year, check out radiant new works created by international artists, including a Sea of Light display with thousands of LED light balls that sparkle in multiple patterns and colors to a bespoke soundtrack.

Skate under the Chicago skyline and within eyeshot of the Chicago Christmas Tree at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Plus, take advantage of free skating lessons on most Saturdays and Sundays, where you can learn both beginner- and intermediate-level skills. Note that you'll need to make a free online reservation for both regular skating and lessons, and if it seems too warm to skate, call ahead—this rink is open through March 3, weather permitting.

Located on the terrace of The Peninsula Chicago, the 2,100-square-foot Sky Rink offers ice skating in the shadows of the city's tallest buildings, all while overlooking Michigan Avenue. Show off your skills in a winter wonderland featuring snowflake lighting and festive music, and when you need to warm up, grab a hot drink and snack at the Chalet.

Navy Pier bring its winter experience back for another year, illuminating the lakefront with an outdoor light display. The dazzling program boasts a host of fun activities, including ice skating, axe throwing, live musical performances, an artisan market and cozy fire pits for making s'mores. You can also take a ride on Navy Pier's 200-foot Centennial Wheel—don't worry, all of the gondolas are fully enclosed and heated!

To see one of the largest displays of holiday lights within city limits, you need to head to Lincoln Park Zoo, where the annual ZooLights display strings up millions of LED blubs. While most of the animals will be keeping warm inside, visitors are free to wander through the park, snapping photos of the various displays and taking part in a variety of activities throughout the holiday season. There will be new displays and and interactive programming this year, and as always, guests will also be able to enjoy hot beverages and snacks at stands throughout the park.

Admission is $7 on most weeknights and Sundays and $10 on Fridays and Saturdays, with free admission tickets on Mondays. Check out the Lincoln Park Zoo website for information on special ticketed events during ZooLights, including Adults Night Out and a musical tribute to “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

The American Blues Theater has brought the humble story of George Bailey to life in various Chicago venues for more than 20 years, transforming Frank Capra's classic film into an interactive, 1940s-style radio broadcast production. Arrive 15 minutes early to make the most of interactive audience engagement and prepare for original music, holiday carols and plenty of Christmas cheer.

Having retired cofounder Robert Joffrey's production of The Nutcracker after nearly 30 years, the Joffrey Ballet debuted a brand-new version in 2016, set in Chicago against the backdrop of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. This year's production will be staged in the Civic Opera House (where the Lyric Opera also resides), featuring music performed by the Lyric Opera Orchestra and the stunning choreography of Christopher Wheeldon. The Chicago-inspired iteration of the classic Christmas ballet will have you humming “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” for days after you leave the theater.

Dr. Seuss' timeless holiday tale comes to life on stage through this touring production. Audiences will discover the magic of hit songs like "You'e a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" as Seuss' green titular character finds out there's more to Christmas than he bargained for.

Don't feel like going to the Loop for your glühwein fix? The smaller-scale Wrigleyville outpost of Christkindlmarket returns to Gallagher Way this year with just as much holiday cheer as its downtown counterpart. Plus, Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville remains open through the end of the year, so you can extend the spirit of the season to the week after Christmas. 

Slide past an indoor skydiving center and Fogo de Chão on the Chicago Wolves Ice Rink at Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park, where you can hit the ice on Sundays through the end of January. Check the official website for hours.

Leave the kiddos at home and enjoy the bite of this burlesque variety show inspired by the classic holiday tale. This rendition of The Nutcracker is much more sexy than the Joffrey Ballet's, following an office administrator on a hallucinogenic and sensual journey that features magic, sword balancing, fire spinning and plenty of skin. Plus, check the schedule for special events before performances, like burlesque 101 and an ugly sweater contest.

Pinkies up! Little ones and their families are invited to ring in the holiday season in style during The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party, an annual trunk and puppet show at the Chicago Children's Theatre that brings Potter's beloved stories to life with whimsy and humor. The play's young viewers get to interact with characters like Mrs. Tittlemouse, Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca, and Peter Rabbit throughout the 60-minute production, which features live music alongside narration and puppetry. Afterwards, audience members can meet the cast while enjoying juice, cookies and chocolate milk for a proper tea party celebration.

The Goodman Theatre’s annual holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic returns to the stage, with Larry Yando taking on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. The play has been a staple of the Goodman's calendar for more than 40 years, allowing returning attendees and new generations to see the quintessential Christmas story unfold before their eyes. Prepare to be visited by three spirits—and don't be suprised if A Christmas Carol's touching tale of redemption makes you shed a few tears.

Ever since 1976, Chicagoans have gathered during the holiday season to belt out Handel’s classic oratorio (the one with the famous “Hallelujah!” chorus) backed by a volunteer orchestra and professional soloists. Tickets are free, though reservations will be required, and make sure to show up to the event familiar with the score—and you might also want to figure out if you're a soprano, alto, tenor or bass.

It's not officially the holiday season until you hear Mariah Carey belting our her classic, "All I Want for Christmas is You," which is why the diva is bringing her festive tour to the United Center in early December. She's got two albums worth of original and traditional Christmas songs to draw from, so expect plenty of sleigh bells, glittering yuletide gowns and a few unexpected gifts from Carey's catalog of pop ballads.

Holiday prog-rockers Trans-Siberian Orchestra make their annual trip to Rosemont, arriving just after Christmas with an over-the-top light show set to overwrought versions of seasonal songs. If you're still not tired of hearing the band's inescapable high-octane rendition of "Carol of the Bells," snag a seat and warm yourself in the glow of crackling pyrotechnics and gleaming lasers at one of TSO's Allstate Arena gigs.

Professional a cappella group Straight No Chaser brings its Sleighin' It Tour to the Chicago Theatre. The band is known for its cheeky choreography and cover versions of popular hits so expect to hear all your holiday favorites.

A city named after nature's most stunning light show deserves an equally spectacular man-made display. The Rotary Club of Aurora organizes this holiday wonderland in Phillips Park, which allows visitors to drive through and take in a series of twinkling scenes. Hop in the car, drive through the illuminated gate and keep an eye out for shimmering representations of Santa's toy factory, a holiday train and some giant snowflakes. You'll need to make an timed reservation ahead of your visit, but the experience is totally free—though if you're able to make a donation online, the proceeds will go to a selection of local charities.  

This 30-minute immersive adaptation of The Nutcracker pairs footage of professional ballet dancers alongside animated characters across more than 500,000 cubic feet of projections, guiding the viewers through an abbreviated version of the iconic tale. Tchaikovsky’s famous score, including numbers like “The March of the Toys” and “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” provides a soundtrack.

More than one million lights cover the trees, fences and structures in the Brookfield Zoo at this annual holiday event, which is open for its 42nd year this season. Guests can walk through a 600-foot-long tunnel featuring colored lights synchronized to music, spot larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures, gaze up at a 41-foot-tall lit tree and warm up with concessions such as funnel cakes, pizza, spiced wine and hot cocoa.

Rosemont's Impact Field (home of the Chicago Dogs) hosts Sparkle Light Festival, which will house millions of holiday lights among winter attractions like train rides, a two-story ice slide and ice skating. Wander through five themed "villages" of lights and visit a kids zone filled with interactive activities for little ones. Older attendees can also spring for the fest's $70 Rivers Stadium Club Tickets, which include access to a premium buffet, drinks and unlimited tubing rides on the Alpine Slide. 

See Christmas lights without leaving your car at this pandemic-era innovation that allows visitors to drive through a gleaming tunnel of more than one million LED lights synchronized with holiday music. The show takes place in Bridgeport at Guarenteed Rate Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.

The Music Box's beloved holiday season double feature returns to the Southport movie theater, with screenings on select weekends leading up to Christmas. Treat your eyeballs to some seasonal cheer by following Jimmy Stewart’s path to redemption in It’s A Wonderful Life or singing along with Bing Crosby in White Christmas, playing back-to-back in the main auditorium. Each screening includes an appearance by Santa Claus and a Christmas carol sing-along accompanied by Music Box organist Dennis Scott (with lyrics projected on the screen). You can opt to see just one of the films, or spring for a discounted ticket to see both.

As usual, Six Flags Great America is open for the holidays, though you won't be able to ride any of its biggest roller coasters during your visit. This year, World of Illumination is stringing up more than one million colorful lights and hundreds of animated displays to create a drive-through Arctic Adventure. Using state-of-the-art technology, the experience will take families on a trek filled with tundra-bound animals, larger-than-life trees and a mesmerizing snowflake tunnel, with lights that are also synced to holiday tunes. On select dates, guests can step into the park afterwards to enjoy the Carousel Lights & Market, where they’ll find holiday treats, photo ops and more. Tickets start at $40 for one vehicle.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra decks the halls of Symphony Center with the return of its popular Christmas concert, teaming up with Broadway star Ashley Brown for an evening of holiday standards and festive arrangements of classical compositions. This year's program features Christmas carols like "I'll Be Home for Christmas," "Winter Wonderland" and "Sleigh Ride."

There's nothing stopping you from showing up in Millennium Park at any point during the year and belting out your favorite holiday songs, but you can do it with a crowd of like-minded exhibitionists at this annual series of winter concerts and sing-alongs. This year, the series takes place every Friday at 6:30pm from December 1-15, with a different local choral group leading attendees in song each week. Song books will be distributed at each event.

Bring a thermos of hot chocolate and a cozy blanket to accompany your ride through Willow Hill Lights, a drive-through holiday light experience in suburban Northbrook. Located at Willow Hill Golf Course, the display stretches over 2.5 miles of glittering lights and stars holiday favorites like Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman, as well as a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree. Proceeds from the show benefit TotalLink2 Community, a not-for-profit dedicated to helping young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.