Arts & Entertainment
2025 Chicago Holiday Events Guide
From light shows to plays, sing-alongs and festive pop-ups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs. To submit an event for consideration, email us at [email protected].
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Christkindlmarket. (Courtesy of the Christkindlmarket)
Jump to: Light Shows | Music & Theater | Exhibits & Experiences | Holiday Markets
It wouldn’t be the holidays in Chicago without a trip to the Christkindlmarket or a ride on the CTA Holiday Train. Here’s what to know about some of the city’s most popular wintertime traditions.
Christkindlmarket: The annual German market returns to three locations this year: Daley Plaza (Nov. 21-Dec. 24), Wrigleyville (Nov. 23-Dec. 31) and Aurora’s RiverEdge Park (Nov. 21-Dec. 24).
Trees: Visit the official Chicago Christmas Tree (Nov. 21-Jan. 11) in Millennium Park. This year’s tree is a 66-foot Norway spruce from Glenview; a tree-lighting ceremony is set for Nov. 21. Inside the Walnut Room at Macy’s on State Street you’ll find the Great Tree, a 45-foot tree that hangs from the ceiling (Nov. 1-Jan. 11). No worries if you can’t get a Walnut Room reservation; visitors are still able to snap a selfie with the tree.
Ice Skating: There are a number of ice skating options in and around Chicago, including McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Nov. 21-early February), Maggie Daley Park (Nov. 14-March 8), Parkway Bank Park (Nov. 22-Jan. 25), Navy Pier (Dec. 5-Jan. 4), Cantigny (Nov. 21-Jan. 4), Winterland at Gallagher Way (Nov. 23-Feb. 15) and select Chicago Park District locations throughout the city.
All Aboard: The CTA Holiday Trains and Buses (Nov. 25-Dec. 22) have brought holiday cheer to Chicagoans for more than three decades. Each train car is wrapped with seasonal images; Santa waves to riders from his sleigh. Metra Holiday Trains will run on five lines (Dec. 6, 13, 20).
Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum. (Courtesy of the Morton Arboretum)
Jump to: Chicago Classics | Music & Theater | Exhibits & Experiences | Holiday Markets
Nov. 14-Jan. 4: Lightscape | Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
Nov. 14-Jan. 4: Willow Hill Lights | Willow Hill Golf Course (Northbrook)
Nov. 15-Jan. 3: Illumination: Tree Lights | Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
Nov. 20-Jan. 7: Light of Christmas | Rate Field
Nov. 21-Dec. 23: Big and Bright Trail of Lights Festival | Sonny Acres Farm (West Chicago)
Nov. 21-Dec. 31: Santa’s Rock N Lights | Kane County Cougars Stadium (Geneva)
Nov. 21-Dec. 31: Santa’s Rock N Lights | North Center
Nov. 21-Jan. 4: Christmas at Cantigny | Cantigny (Wheaton)
Nov. 21-Jan. 4: ZooLights | Lincoln Park Zoo
Nov. 21-Jan. 4 (select dates): Holiday Magic | Brookfield Zoo
Nov. 21-Jan. 4: Winter Lights at Central Park | Oak Brook
Nov. 28-Dec. 21 (select dates): Kohlights | Kohl Children’s Museum (Glenview)
Ruth Page’s “The Nutcracker.” (Jeff Yin)
Jump to: Chicago Classics | Light Shows | Exhibits & Experiences | Holiday Markets
Nov. 5- Jan. 4: Million Dollar Quartet Christmas | Marriott Theatre (Lincolnshire)
Nov. 6, 13, 20: Thanksgiving Leftovers | The Second City
Nov. 12-Jan. 11: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas | Paramount Theatre
Nov. 15-Dec. 31: “A Christmas Carol” | Goodman Theatre
Nov. 16-Dec. 21: Chris White Trio Performs “A Charlie Brown Christmas” | Various locations
Nov. 20-Dec. 21: “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” | McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn)
Nov. 20-Dec. 28: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play | Oil Lamp Theater (Glenview)
Nov. 20-Jan. 4: “The Real Housewives of The North Pole" | Hell in a Handbag Productions
Nov. 21-Dec. 28: “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!” | American Blues Theater
Nov. 22, Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21: Ruth Page’s “The Nutcracker” | Various locations
Nov. 25-30: A Magical Cirque Christmas | CIBC Theatre
Nov. 25-Dec. 24: “A Christmas Carol” | Metropolis Performing Arts Center (Arlington Heights)
Nov. 26-Dec. 31: Holidazed and Amused | The Second City
Nov. 28: “Who’s Holiday!” | Theater Wit
Nov. 28-Dec. 21: Jacob Marley’s “Christmas Carol” | Lifeline Theatre
Nov. 28-Dec. 28: “Who’s Holiday!” | Theater Wit
Nov. 28-Dec. 31: Rudolph Runs Wild | The Second City
Nov. 29: Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna | Symphony Center
Nov. 29: Sleeping at Last: Home for the Holidays | Auditorium Theatre
Nov. 29-Dec. 21 (select dates): Joel Paterson Solo Holiday Extravaganzas | Various locations
Nov. 30-Dec. 28: “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” | Raven Theatre
Dec.1: Handel’s Messiah | Symphony Center
Dec. 1, 8, 15: Guitar for Guaraldi: A Charlie Brown Christmas Tribute | Dorian’s
Dec. 1-28: “The Long Christmas Dinner” | Bramble Arts Loft
Dec. 2-14: Elf the Musical | Auditorium Theatre
Dec. 3-23: Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical | Beverly Arts Center
Dec. 4: ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas in Chicago | Den Theatre
Dec. 4, 11, 18: Set in Chicago: Holiday Style | The Second City
Dec. 4-28: “Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again” | Theater Wit
Dec. 5: ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas in Chicago | Irish American Heritage Center
Dec. 5: Gavin Coyle: A Celtic Christmas | McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn)
Dec. 5-7: A Flamenco Christmas | Various Locations
Dec. 5-14 (select dates): Holidays A Cappella | Various locations
Dec. 5-14: “That’s Weird, Grandma: Holiday Party!” | Neo-Futurist Theater
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along | Millennium Park
Dec. 5-28: “The Nutcracker” by Joffrey Ballet | Lyric Opera House
Dec. 6: The Second City: Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire | McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn)
Dec. 6: “Winter Wonderland” by Chicago Tap Allstars | Harold Washington Cultural Center
Dec. 6: Irish Christmas in America | Old Town School of Folk Music
Dec. 6: The Let It Snow Show! | Old Town School of Folk Music
Dec. 6: “Duke It Out! Nutcracker” | Nichols Concert Hall (Evanston)
Dec. 6: Uniting Voices Chicago Winter Glow | Symphony Center
Dec. 6-24: Christmas Sing-A-Long & Double Feature | Music Box Theatre
Dec. 6-28: The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party | Chicago Children’s Theatre
Dec. 7: Bedazzled: A Holiday Cabaret | Oil Lamp Theater (Glenview)
Dec. 7: The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show | Chicago Theatre
Dec. 7, 14: Now That’s What I Call Christmas | The Second City
Dec. 8: 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball | Allstate Arena (Rosemont)
Dec. 8-9: Porchlight Sings the Season | Rhapsody Theater
Dec. 9: A Chanticleer Christmas | Symphony Center
Dec. 11-12: Holiday Spirits: A Collection of Victorian Yuletide Ghost Stories | Driehaus Museum
Dec. 11-12: The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show | Old Town School of Folk Music
Dec. 11-14: Songs of Good Cheer | Old Town School of Folk Music
Dec. 11-23: Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical | Stahl Family Theatre
Dec. 11-28: ‘Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil | The Chicago Theatre
Dec. 12: Preservation Hall Jazz Band Presents: A Creole Christmas | Cahn Auditorium (Evanston)
Dec. 12-13: A Merry Little Christmas With Megan Hilty | Steppenwolf Theatre
Dec. 12-14: “Home Alone” in Concert | Symphony Center
Dec.12-14: “The Nutcracker” performed by the Hyde Park School of Dance | Mandel Hall
Dec. 12-14: Mika Scrooge | eta Creative Arts Foundation
Dec. 12-28: Manual Cinema’s “Christmas Carol” | Studebaker Theater
Dec. 12-31: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play | Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture
Dec. 12-Jan. 4: Sherlock Holmes and the Christmas Clowns | City Lit Theater
Dec. 13: The Midtown Men: Holiday Hits | McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn)
Dec. 13: It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play | Sherman Hall (University Park)
Dec. 13: A Soulful “Motown Christmas” Concert | Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Dec 14: Voctave: It Feels like Christmas | McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn)
Dec. 14: Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet | Rosemont Theatre
Dec. 14: “Mary, A Holiday Dansical” by Black Girls Dance | Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts
Dec. 14: Jewish Rock Radio Concert | Temple Jeremiah (Northfield)
Dec. 14-15: Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas | Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
Dec. 15-16: The Lovettes: Boogie Woogie Santa Claus | Marriott Theatre (Lincolnshire)
Dec. 16-21: “Christmas With C.S. Lewis” | Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
Dec. 17-20: Anthony Rapp: Home for the Holidays | Lookingglass Theatre
Dec. 19-20: Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas | Old Town School of Folk Music
Dec. 19-21: Salt Creek Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” | McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn)
Dec. 19-23: Merry, Merry Chicago! | Symphony Center
Dec. 20: “The Holiday” in Concert | Auditorium Theatre
Dec. 20: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis | James M. Nederlander Theatre
Dec. 21: The Nut Tapper | Old Town School of Folk Music
Dec. 22: Ben Levin’s Holiday Blues Revue | Space (Evanston)
Dec. 28: Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert | Symphony Center
Jump to: Chicago Classics | Light Shows | Music & Theater | Holiday Markets
Nov. 8-Jan. 5: Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Nov. 13-Dec. 28: Holly Jolly Christmas Bar | Puttery
Nov. 14: IllumiBrew | Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
Nov. 14-Jan. 4: Rudolph’s Bar | Lost Never Found
Nov. 14-March 8: Ice Skating Ribbon | Maggie Daley Park
Nov. 15-Dec. 31: Frosty’s Christmas Pop-Up Chicago | Near North Side
Nov. 20: Zoo After Dark: Holiday Sip & Stroll | Brookfield Zoo
Nov. 21: Tree Lighting Ceremony | Millennium Park
Nov. 21: Light Up Long Grove | Downtown Long Grove
Nov. 21-Dec. 21 (select dates): Santa Claus Sleigh Ride Cruise | Chicago River
Nov. 21-Dec.24: Christkindlmarket Chicago | Daley Plaza
Nov. 21-Dec. 24: Christkindlmarket Aurora | RiverEdge Park
Nov. 21-Jan. 4: Christmas at Cantigny | Cantigny (Wheaton)
Nov.21-Jan. 4: Santa Baby Christmas Bar | Stolen Saddle
Nov. 21-Feb.1: Arctic Winter Bar | The Broken Oar (Port Barrington)
Nov. 21-early February (weather permitting): McCormick Tribune Ice Rink | Millennium Park
Nov. 22-Jan. 3: Jack Frost Holiday Pop-Up | Fulton Market
Nov. 22: Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Parade | Michigan Avenue
Nov. 22: Light Up the Park | Parkway Bank Park (Rosemont)
Nov. 22: Holiday Lighting | Port Clinton Square (Highland Park)
Nov. 22-Jan. 25: Skating in the Park | Parkway Bank Park (Rosemont)
Nov. 23: Greektown Tree Lighting | Elysian Field
Nov. 23-Dec. 31: Winterland | Gallagher Way
Nov. 23-Dec. 31: Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville | Gallagher Way
Nov. 26-Jan. 4: Winter Flower Show: Merry & Bright | Garfield Park Conservatory
Nov. 26-Jan. 4: Fireside: Winter Flower Show | Lincoln Park Conservatory
Nov. 27: Turkey Trot 5K, 8K & Kids Race | Lakefront Trail
Nov. 27: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade | State Street
Nov. 27: Thanksgiving Lunch Cruises | Lake Michigan
Nov. 29: Holiday in the Park and Parade | Jackman Park (Glenview)
Nov. 29-Dec. 21 (select dates): Santa’s Trolley Express | Blackhawk Station (South Elgin)
Nov. 29-Dec. 27 (Saturdays): Winter Fireworks | Navy Pier
Dec. 2: Get Lit: Santa’s Book Fair | American Writers Museum
Dec. 4: Naughty or Nice | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
Dec. 4: Cheer at the Pier | Navy Pier
Dec. 5: La Villita Navideña: Toy Drive Giveaway & Posada | Manuel Perez Jr. Plaza
Dec. 5-Jan. 4: Winter WonderFest | Navy Pier
Dec. 6: Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration | Hyde Park
Dec. 6: Winter Wonderland | Wicker Park/Bucktown
Dec. 6: Western Avenue: Holiday Road | Beverly/Morgan Park
Dec. 6: Blue Island Light Parade | Western Avenue
Dec. 6: Jingle Bell Jubilee | Various locations (Lombard)
Dec. 6: Krampusnacht | Marz Community Brewing Company
Dec. 6, 13: Santa Saturdays | Driehaus Museum
Dec. 7: Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade | Western Avenue
Dec. 7: Parade of Lights | Tinley Park
Dec. 7: Christmas on the Boulevard | Independence Boulevard and Douglass Boulevard
Dec. 11: Adults Night Out: Holidaze | Lincoln Park Zoo
Dec. 13: Krampus Fest | Martyrs’
Dec. 13: Saint Lucia | Andersonville
Dec. 14: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting | Andersonville
Dec. 14: A South Asian Christmas | Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts
Dec. 19-21: Dinner With Santa | Brookfield Zoo
Dec. 24-25: Christmas Dinner Cruises | Lake Michigan
Dec. 26: Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture | Bronzeville Children’s Museum
Dec. 26-Jan. 1: Kwanzaa | Malcolm X College
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Brunch & Dinner Cruises | Various locations
One of a Kind Holiday Show, 2024. (Courtesy of Heron Agency)
Jump to: Chicago Classics | Light Shows | Music & Theater | Exhibits & Experiences
Nov. 1-Dec. 23: Chicago Fair Trade Pop-Up Shop | Lincoln Park
Nov. 13-16: Grove Heritage Association Holiday Market | The Grove Redfield Estate (Glenview)
Nov. 15: Skokie Park District Holiday Gift Market | Oakton Community Center
Nov. 15-16: Randolph Street Holiday Market | West Loop
Nov. 15-16: Lycée French Market | Lycée Français de Chicago
Nov. 16: Chicago Artisan Market - Fulton Market | Morgan MFG
Nov. 21-23: Millennium Park Holiday Market | Millennium Park, Chase Promenade North
Nov. 22: Film Workers’ Holiday Market | CineCity Studios
Nov. 22: Mabuhay Christmas Market | Mora Oak Park
Nov. 22-23: Holiday Bazaar | Woman’s Club of Evanston
Nov. 22-Dec. 20: Winter Arts & Crafts Expo | Evanston Art Center
Nov. 23: Handmade Holiday Market | Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Nov. 23: $10 & Under Christmas Market | 1008 S. Canal St.
Nov. 29-30: Chicago Artisan Market - Ravenswood | Artifact Events Building
Nov. 30: Holiday Gift Market | The Salt Shed
Nov. 30: Chanukah Book & Gift Fair | Woman’s Club of Wilmette
Dec. 1-19: ShopColumbia Holiday Market | Columbia College Chicago
Dec. 2: Holiday Market: A Nowhere Collective Collaboration | Lincoln Park Zoo
Dec. 4: Woman’s Club of Wilmette Holiday Market | Woman’s Club of Wilmette
Dec. 4-7: One of a Kind Holiday Show | The Mart
Dec. 4-21 (select dates): Evanston Made Holiday Pop-Up Market | 1710 Maple Ave. (Evanston)
Dec. 5: Lillstreet 50th Anniversary Holiday Party and Makers Market | Lillstreet Art Center
Dec. 5-7: Julmarknad Holiday Market | Swedish American Museum
Dec. 6: Drie-cember Market | Driehaus Museum
Dec. 6: Underground Art Market | Revolution Brewing Taproom
Dec. 6-7: Tinley Park Holiday Market | Harmony Square
Dec. 6-7: Small Print Show & Holiday Sale | Chicago Printmakers Collaborative
Dec. 6-7: Chicago Vintage Festival Holiday Market | Fulton & Halsted
Dec. 6-7: Chris Kringle Market | Acosta’s (Lake Zurich)
Dec. 6-7, 13-14: Navi•Arts en el Barrio: Puerto Rican Artisan Market | National Puerto Rican Museum
Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20: Chicagoland Bookstore Holiday Trolley | Various locations
Dec. 6-21: School Holiday Sale & Fundraiser | Hyde Park Art Center
Dec. 7: Chanukah Bazaar (event is open to women and girls) | Arie Crown (Skokie)
Dec. 7: GetFlea Holiday Market | Stan Mansion
Dec. 9-11: Catalog Holiday Marketplace | Willis Tower
Dec. 10: 360 Chicago’s Holiday Market | 360 Chicago
Dec. 11: Holiday Sip and Shop | Sonny Acres Farm (West Chicago)
Dec. 12-13: Sauced Night Market | Chicago Athletic Association
Dec. 13: The Market Shop Holiday Event | Chez Event Venue
Dec. 13: Mercado de Intercambio: Winter Celebration | Plant Chicago
Dec. 13: Krampus Fest Holiday Artisan Market | Martyrs’
Dec. 13: Holiday Hurrah | Morgan Park/Beverly
Dec. 13: Gnarware Workshop Holiday Artist Market | Co-Prosperity
Dec. 13-14: Holly Jolly Holiday Market | North Center Town Square
Dec. 13-14: Holiday Art and Craft Market | Mayslake Peabody Estate (Oak Brook)
Dec. 13-14: Randolph Street Holiday Market | West Loop
Dec. 13-14: Chicago Art Girls Holiday Pop-Up | Bell Elementary School
Dec. 14: Chicago Artisan Market - Fulton Market | Morgan MFG
Dec. 14: Stay H: Trinket Fest Holiday Special | Artifact Events
Dec. 14: Vegan Gift Market | Vaca’s Lincoln Square
Dec. 20: Pre-Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration & Marketplace | Washington Park Refectory
Dec. 20: Hyde Park Farmers Market Holiday Market | The Promontory
Dec. 20: Merry and Bright Holiday Market | Garfield Park Conservatory
Dec. 20-21: Renegade Craft Fair | Morgan Manufacturing
Dec. 21: Hyde Park Handmade Holiday Artisan Bazaar | The Promontory
Dec. 21: Another Vegan Holiday Market | Emporium Arcade Bar Logan Square
Dec. 21: Gateway Presents: Holidaze Market | Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club
