Want to know what’s happening this weekend in Chicago? Look no further. There’s a whole calendar of exciting events, exhibits, and activities taking place all over the city this December in Chicago.
This weekend in Chicago is jam-packed with fun and festive events: classic neighborhood celebrations like the Kwanzaa Celebration in Washington Park, artisan holiday markets, jaw-dropping art exhibits, fun holiday shows like The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet, dazzling holiday light displays from ZooLights to Lightscape, family-friendly fun, exciting cultural events, and so much more.
Check out just a few of the top things to do this weekend in Chicago, Dec. 19 – 21, 2025.
Pre-Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration & Marketplace
Join us for a cultural experience that transcends time and space!
Celebrate Umoja—the first principle of Kwanzaa—through community, creativity, and culture.
Enjoy a lively marketplace featuring one-of-a-kind handcrafted products, delicious foods, live music, engaging conversations, storytelling, and so much more.
Renegade Craft Fair
The Renegade Craft Fair returns for a holiday edition, showcasing plenty of independent makers offering creative gifts just in time for last-minute shopping. Shop 170+ curated artists at our lovely holiday fair in West Loop! Enjoy a sneak peek preview on Friday from 5-8 p.m. featuring select artists.
Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol
Manual Cinema’s awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind rendition of the Dickens classic returns to the Studebaker Theater this holiday season! Avowed holiday skeptic Aunt Trudy has been reluctantly…
Winter Flower Show: Merry & Bright
This year’s Winter Flower Show “Merry & Bright” evokes the festivity of the season. While the outdoor landscape is gray (and maybe white!), the indoor Show House reveals a cheerful selection of poinsettias including ‘Viking Cinnamon’, ‘Lemon Glow’, ‘Chorus Hot Pink’, and ‘Candy Wintergreen’. Other plants include favorites such as brightly colored Coleus, flowering Lantana, and red Begonias along with freshly cut Frasier Fir trees adorned with multi-colored LED lights.
Christmas Around the World
The 83rd annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light features more than 50 trees and displays, each lovingly decorated by community volunteers who share family and cultural traditions drawing on their global heritage.
This holiday season, you can stroll through our indoor forest and light displays; take a family photo in front of the four-story Grand Tree in our Rotunda; enjoy specialty holiday treats at the Stan’s Donuts pop-up; and more.
The Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Experience magic this holiday season with two-time Tony Award®-winner Christopher Wheeldon's 'The Nutcracker'. On a magical Christmas Eve, mere months before the opening of Chicago’s…
Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical at the Beverly Arts Center
Chicago Kids Company’s Holiday Classic returns for the 26th Year! Our biggest and most colorful show will put you in the Holiday Spirit in no…
‘Twas The Night Before… By Cirque du Soleil
Due to overwhelming success, the celebrated holiday theatrical ‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil is returning to The Chicago Theatre for a limited…
Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again
Clownshow is proud to present Blake Montgomery in his award-winning solo production Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs ‘A Christmas Carol’ Again, at Theater Wit, 1229 W.…
Ballet Folklorico de Chicago
Welcome to Copernicus Center, a beloved entertainment venue in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. We are thrilled to host Ballet Folklorico de Chicago for a…
The Holiday In Concert
Beloved romcom The Holiday is heading to The Auditorium this festive season. The live-to-film experience with the Chicago Philharmonic takes the Christmas classic and the…
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas – Annual Christmas 2025 Tour
Get into the holiday spirit—Mannheim Steamroller returns to Chicago with their beloved “Christmas” concert, setting the stage at the Nederlander Theatre at Ford Center for…
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago
Catalyst: Im/migration and Self-Taught Art in Chicago, the first exhibition to open in Intuit’s newly-renovated museum, is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities.
Lincoln Park ZooLights
Chicagoland’s favorite holiday tradition is back and brighter than ever! ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd twinkles with more than 3 million lights, hundreds…
Christkindlmarket
What can you expect at the market? The German-style Christmas Market provides a safe outdoor experience for the whole family. All Christkindlmarkets are always free admission. The smell of roasted nuts,…
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Winterland returns to Wrigleyville this season with ice skating, ice bumper cards, Santa’s workshop, and a miniature Christkindlmarket.
Lightscape
Tickets are on sale now for all. Book in advance and secure your preferred slot; popular dates and times go fast! Step into an enchanting…
North Suburbs
Event details
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Ice skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park begins Nov. 21 (weather permitting). Admission to the ice rink will be free, but…
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Bring family and friends to see Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum and be amazed by how light, color, and music transforms a magnificent landscape of trees.
Winter Wonderfest
Spot twinkly light displays and playful pops of holiday cheer inside Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, take in the towering 42-foot Holiday Tree, and discover endless ways to…
It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago!
George Bailey – the Everyman from small town Bedford Falls whose dreams of escape and adventure were stopped by family obligation and civic duty –…
A Christmas Carol
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” Rediscover a Dickens’ classic with an adaptation that “makes you…
Chicago River Sleigh Rides with Santa!
🎅🚢 Set sail on the iconic Chicago River this holiday season with our Santa Claus Sleigh Ride Cruises! 🌟 Join us for an unforgettable experience…
Holiday Magic
We’re lighting up the night this holiday season! Returning with a brand new light display, celebrate more than 40 years of Holiday Magic. Now with…
Balloon Museum: EmotionAir
The Pop Air and Let’s Fly exhibitions continue to thrill and engage a participative audience, but EmotionAir sets an even more ambitious goal. This latest…
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind
Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind presents one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of Yoko Ono, the trailblazing artist, celebrated musician, and formidable campaigner…
Chicago Architecture Biennial
Explore cutting-edge projects and ideas from global contributors at North America’s largest architecture and design festival. All events are free and open to the public.
Explore our events calendar for more Chicago events and happenings.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
