The best things to do in Chicago this weekend

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.

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.

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.

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. This year, you can skip the line on weekends with a fast-entry pass.

Disney fans, rejoice! A new exhibit showcasing the company’s storied history is coming to the 35,000-square-foot Exhibition Hub Art Center in Lincoln Park on November 18, which coincides with the date of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse’s first on-screen appearance in 1928. You’ll be able to explore 14 interactive installations and see more than 250 rarely-seen artifacts and memorabilia from various Disney franchises, including Marvel Studios and the Pixar Living Archives. There will also be an opportunity to purchase exclusive merchandise from the gift shop and take photos in front of enticing backdrops.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 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.

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!

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

This immersive, multi-level Christmas pop-up bar boasting wall-to-wall holiday decor returns to Wrigleyville, taking over Bamboo Bar during the most festive time of the year. You'll find photo-ops galore as well as drinks decked out with decorative garnishes and garlands, including large-format cocktails like the Tropical Sleigh Ride and Moët Mistletoe. Feeling hungry? Feast upon festive options like Santa's Sliders, Grinch Shake and Nacho Tree. Don't forget to snag a reservation before you head to Santa Baby—families are welcome to stop by during the day, but after 8pm it's 21+. For full holiday hours, check Santa Baby's website.

Frosty's Christmas Bar near Goose Island brings three levels of festive fun, four bars, two dance floors, life-size toy soldiers and a themed soundtrack that keeps the crowd bumping well past midnight every night of the week. Don your favorite holiday attire and enjoy a glass of something boozy and marshmallow-topped while eating Christmas cookies amid the twinkling lights, tinsel and over-the-top decorations.

If you're jonesing for an outdoor Christmas adventure this year, the folks behind Jack's Pumpkin Pop-Up are bringing back its winter sibling in a new location in Fulton Market. The sprawling two-acre attraction boasts a Christmas market, photo opportunities and a variety of activties like ice skating, bumper cars, axe throwing, curling and more. You'll also have the opportunity to sip on boozy hot cocoa and other holiday cocktails while wandering through a light-filled Christmas tree walk.

Chicago's only Hanukkah-themed pop-up bar takes over The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville for another year, filling a weatherproof patio with more than 14,000 blue-and-white lights, dreidel ornaments, lighted menorah and a Hanukkah sweater wall (among other festive bits of decor). Dine on Hanukkah classics like latkes and matzo ball soup alongside not-so-classic options like a gelt fudge sundae. Pair your meal with a novelty cocktail—we're going with the The Chosen MF, a spin on a Long Island Iced Tea with blue curacao. Chag Sameach!

The 2003 holiday movie Elf takes center stage at this Wrigleyville pop-up located inside of Stretch Bar & Grill, which gets dressed up with more than 1,000 decorative elves, Christmas trees and plenty of festive Christmas lights. Take a seat at tables stocked with the four main food groups (candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup) and treat yourself to a plate of Buddy's breakfast pasta (spaghetti loaded with maple syrup, chocolate fudge and syrup, mini marshmallows and strawberry frosted pop tarts) or a beer served in a 36-ounce elf boot. Want to catch a glimpse of Buddy the elf himself? Visit the pop-up between Thursday and Sunday, when he's known to make appearances from time to time. 

Situated on the ground floor of the Chicago Athletic Association, Happy's transforms the hotel's Tank space into a holly, jolly wood-paneled dive bar serving cocktails and bar bites created by Land and Sea Dept. Admission is free and the pop-up is just a short walk from the Millennium Park ice skating rink.

Immerse yourself in a picture-perfect whimsical décor, sparkling lights and breathtaking Chicago skyline views from the 22nd floor and indulge in a delightful selection of holiday-themed cocktails including, steaming spiced mulled wine and chilled festive drinks. LondonHouse Chicago's rooftop also offers cozy heated igloos, which can be booked by contacting rsvp@londonhouse.com; reservations require a $600 food and drink minimum.

Located right across from Winterland at Gallagher Way, Wrigleyville cocktail spot Mordecai is spreading holiday cheer by decorating its second floor bar with festive string lights, hanging ornaments, colorful tinsel, mounted wreaths and more. The mixologists are complementing the space with creative libations like a winter-inspired old fashioned and gingerbread milk punch. Reservations are required so don’t forget to secure a spot before swinging by.

Fairmont Chicago has brought back its seasonal experience, Fairmont Lodge, for another year of wintry fun. The hotel’s lobby is transformed into a wonderland full of themed décor, overnight packages, festive programming and seasonal menus. Guests can reserve a Lodge experience and indulge in hand-crafted cocktails and sweet and savory fondue, capped off with some s'mores. There’s also live entertainment Thursday through Saturday.

If you want some fun and games to accompany your holiday festivities, look no further than Headquarters Beercade. Expect over-the-top photo ops such as naughty and nice thrones and a flying Santa sleigh. The holiday beverage lineup includes a Fireside Old Fashioned and Santa’s Slushie—bourbon cream, cinnamon tequila and honey.

River West bar The Dandy Crown is transforming into a festive pop-up, complete with yuletide cheer and deliciously decadent cocktails. Sip both boozy and non-alcoholic concoctions made with seasonally-tinged ingredients and served in cheerful glassware, including options like Ghost of Christmas Past (Real del Valle Reposado, Bianco, genepy, chocolate lemon) and Sleigh Ride (white rum, spiced orange, Angostura cocoa, lime). The bar will also host themed events, such as holiday trivia and an ugly sweater night, throughout December.

Krampus—the folkloric creature that frightens children who have misbehaved throughout the year—returns to Avondale's DMen Tap for a Christmas pop-up that's more naughty than nice. The pop-up launches December 1 with a traditional Krampus parade featuring the marching band Environmental Encroachment (feel free to wear your best Krampus costume when you attend) before continuing on throughout the month with mulled wine, Revolution Brewing's Fist of Krampus holiday ale, gooey raclette sandwiches and plenty of Krampus-themed events.

Rosé all day with a seasonal twist. The Hampton Social’s River North location will get in the holiday spirit with festive decor, special winter sips and unique experiences throughout November and December.

Downton Abbey: The Exhibition makes its way to Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie, giving fans an opportunity to step into the world of the hit series. The immersive experience showcases the elaborate sets, detailed costumes and luxurious jewelry of Downton Abbey’s high society inhabitants, and transport visitors to the grand home of the Crawleys and those who served them. From Mrs. Patmore’s hectic kitchen and Carson’s office to the family’s glamorous dining room, the exhibition provides a fascinating look into the post-Edwardian period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Support economic and environmental justice at this 10th annual market in Lincoln Park that runs through December 24. More than two dozen Chicago businesses bring together works from artisans around the world, including glassware, ornaments, sweaters, coffee and candles.

Hamilton, writer-composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda’s biography of Alexander Hamilton as refracted through a hip-hop, pop and R&B lens, is a sprawling, stunning, singular achievement. It returns to Chicago for another run this September through December. Check the official website for the full schedule.

Explore dozens of prints and drawings from Picasso's rich and varied 70-year career, from his student years in Barcelona to the last years of his life. Picasso: Drawing from Life traces how this celebrated artist’s success was tied to his network of artists, dealers, printers, family members and more.

Based on the family-favorite board game, this immersive and interactive experience puts guests into the roles of beloved CLUE characters as they try to solve the murder of Boddy Black on Christmas Eve. The mystery starts at Block 37, where detectives are greeted by the Butler before being sent on their way to gather clues from popular Chicago sites and shops. You’ll be tasked with finding long-lost antiques and figuring out who did it, where and with what.

Game Gamespace, a museum dedicated to video games, unveils a new exhibit featuring the iconic arcade game Q*bert. A playable version of the original game will be on display alongside the Parker Bros board game, concept design documents, photographs, art by creators Warren Davis and Jeff Lee, and an array of licensed Q*bert artifacts. There will also be an interactive sound station where visitors can play with the Votrax speech synthesizer that generated Q*bert’s incoherent outbursts.

Head to 360 Chicago on Saturdays for yoga with a killer view. Instructor Britta Eumann will lead an hour-long class on the 94th floor of 875 N Michigan Avenue (formerly the John Hancock Center) that’s suitable for all ages and skill levels—you just need to bring your own mat and arrived properly dressed. Registration is $50 and includes a cocktail or coffee, plus admission to the observation deck so you can stick around and snap some photos after you're done striking poses on the mat.

Displaying a 25-story-tall video installation on the side of the Merchandise Mart, ART on THE MART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, with programming that changes seasonally. ART on THE MART's array of 34 digital projectors show the creations after dusk every evening. It’s best viewed from the section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells Street and Franklin Street.

Bye Bye Liver combines two robust Chicago traditions: comedy and heavy drinking. The show opened over a decade ago for a three-week run, then kept getting extended. A cast of four to six performers portray characters at the fictional "Franks Bar," telling stories that explore the city's robust drinking culture. Each show incorporates interactive audience drinking games, allowing you to sip a cocktail or beer while taking cues from the cast. And if you're up for a nightcap after the performance, you can stick around for the official after party and mingle with the cast.

Settle in for an evening of burlesque performers, belly dancers, drag artists and variety entertainers during this weekly show at Newport Theater. The hour-long show features speciality cocktails and intimate seating arrangements, making this feel like a clandestine speakeasy experience. Bring some singles so that you can tip performers throughout the night!

For more than 30-years, the Neo-Futurists have been delighting late-night crowds with performances that pack 30 miniature plays into a 60-minute show. Returning to in-person programming (attendees must be vaccinated and masked) after more than a year spent in the virtual realm, the company's signature show is more unpredictable than ever, with a handful of compact new plays premiering every week. Within the span of 10 minutes, you may be treated to a poignant monologue about everyday life or an irreverent diatribe delivered by a pantsless member of the cast—all inspired by the experiences of the performers on stage. Always changing and evolving, it's the rare show that truly offers something different everytime you show up to see it.

This weekly “live magazine” is a cavalcade of culture, politics and wit featuring journalists, actors, comedians and musicians offering idiosyncratic reports on the news of the day. Head to Uptown’s iconic Green Mill for drinks, hot takes and laughs; the longstanding Saturday afternoon edition tends to run about two and a half hours.