November in Chicago is a magical time, as the leaves start to fall, festive decorations begin to appear, and holiday events fill up our social calendars. From dazzling light shows to German-inspired Christmas markets to the start of theater season, there’s plenty to explore throughout the city. Here are a few of the events and activities we’re most excited about this month, from cultural celebrations for Native American Heritage Month to family-friendly holiday festivities.
Top events in Chicago this November
Get dazzled at ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo (starting Nov. 15): Get your tickets for this annual holiday tradition, when the historic zoo is absolutely covered in millions of twinkling lights.
Don’t miss the Illumination: Tree Lights(starting Nov. 16): This annual event is a spectacle of light, sound, and color against a backdrop of nature at the Morton Arboretum.
Be enchanted by Lightscape (starts Nov. 15): Explore the Chicago Botanic Garden after dark with a magical holiday twist, filled with light installations, holiday music, and more.
Enjoy Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights (starting Nov. 16): The holidays are headed to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry with this special exhibit showcasing global holiday traditions.
Watch a performance during the Chicago International Latino Theater Festival (through Nov. 17): The 7th annual Destinos festival showcases Latino theatre talent and companies with a variety of performances throughout the month.
Shop and dine at Christkindlmarket (starting Nov. 22): The iconic German-inspired holiday market is back in Daley Plaza, with favorite vendors selling artisan gifts, traditional treats, and mulled wine.
Sip brews at the Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers (Nov. 22 – 23): The 21st annual beer lover’s festival will showcase over 350 barrel-aged beers, ciders, and more from hundreds of local and national breweries.
Browse the Millennium Park Holiday Market (Nov. 22 – 24): Start the holiday season with shopping, entertainment, food, drink, and more at the scenic Millennium Park Holiday Market.
Watch the official tree lighting ceremony at Millennium Park (Nov. 22): The 111th annual City of Chicago Christmas tree lighting will take place at Millennium Park, accompanied by holiday musical performances.
Kick off the holidays with a magnificent evening parade (Nov. 23): The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is a beloved holiday tradition that takes over Michigan Avenue with a parade, tree lighting, and fireworks show.
Attend a book reading by Indigenous poets (Nov. 24): The Center for Native Futures is hosting this free literary event showcasing talented Native American writers.
Enjoy the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade (Nov. 28): From larger-than-life floats to colorful cultural performances to top marching bands, the iconic Thanksgiving Parade will march down State Street bright and early to welcome the holiday.
Visit Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier (starting Nov. 29): This lakefront attraction is pulling out all the stops for the holidays, with light displays, holiday fireworks and drone shows, a two-story ice slide, bonfires, and more.
More events in Chicago this November
Enjoy live music at the Garfield Park Conservatory (Nov. 6): Soak up the sounds of live jazz from the Margaret Murphy Quartet, while enjoying the greenhouse and floral views inside the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Check out the Annual Fillet of Solo Festival (Nov. 8 – 17): This annual performing arts event celebrates the city’s storytelling and live lit scene across multiple venues.
Catch a film at the Black Harvest Film Festival (Nov. 8 – 21): The 30th annual edition of this acclaimed film festival highlights the Black experience through cinema.
Go ice skating at Maggie Daley Park (starting Nov. 15): Skate with a city view at Maggie Daley Park, home to a one-of-a-kind ice skating ribbon.
Enjoy IllumiBrew at the Morton Arboretum (Nov. 15): Sip seasonal beers, ciders, and more as you walk the light-filled paths of the sprawling Morton Arboretum during their annual Tree Lights event.
Shop and dine at a French market (Nov. 16 – 17): The Lycée Français de Chicago school hosts a weekend market filled with local and French artisan vendors selling handmade goods, art, jewelry, home decor, gourmet food, and more.
Snag tickets for Blue at the Lyric Opera of Chicago (starting Nov. 16): This new opera premieres at the Lyric Opera , telling the story of a Black middle-class family in Harlem and the fallout of a violent encounter with the police.
Hunt for treasures at the Randolph Street Market (Nov. 16 – 17): From antiques to clothes to collectibles, there’s plenty to browse at the ever-popular indoor holiday market in the West Loop that features over 125 vendors.
Shop small at the Chicago Artisan Market (Nov. 17): Shop for locally made gifts at this West Loop marketing, which offers the best in Midwest food, fashion, home goods, decor, art, jewelry, and much more.
Go see Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol (starting Nov. 18): This year is the 45th annual telling of the classic heartwarming tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, hosted at the acclaimed Goodman Theatre
Watch ART on THE MART (through Nov.20): Head to the Chicago Riverwalk to watch a nightly projection of digital art across the mammoth exterior of a historic building.
Listen to Beyoncé at the Music Box Theatre (Nov. 20): A classical take on Beyoncé top hits comes to the Music Box Theatre in Lakeview with a string quartet performance of the pop star’s discography
Sip and stroll at Brookfield Zoo (starting Nov. 21): The festive season begins at Brookfield Zoo during their new Zoo After Dark: Holiday Sip and Stroll, an adults-only evening with holiday lights, food and drinks, and a DJ.
Celebrate Native American history (Nov 23): The Chicago History Museum will host activities celebrating Native histories and the Indigenous peoples in Chicago.
Grab tickets for The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark (Nov. 23 – 24): The Harris Theater will host three special performances of Shakespeare’s classic tale, a collaboration from director Robert Lepage and acclaimed dancer and choreographer Guillaume Côté.
Admire the Neapolitan crèche at the Art Institute (starting Nov. 23): The Art Institute is unveiling its Neapolitan crèche, or Nativity scene, for the holidays. The elaborate display is made up of 200 painted terracotta figures.
Take the kids to see the Beatrix Potter Holiday Party (starting Nov. 23): Beatrix Potter’s iconic novels come to life throughout this holiday show at the Chicago Children’s Theatre.
Party at Navy Pier for Housegiving (Nov. 27): Enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving party at Navy Pier’s grand ballroom during this celebration of house music, featuring both emerging talent and legendary artists.
See the Day of the Dead exhibit at the National Museum of Mexican Art(through November): Explore an artistic take on Day of the Dead at this free museum exhibit, Día de Muertos, Where the Past Is Present.
Head to Stony Island Arts Bank for a special exhibition (through November): The Stony Island Arts Bank will host this new exhibit by legendary artist Theaster Gates, exploring the legacy of the Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Company.
Expand your mind at the fall Chicago Humanities Festival (through November): Attend fascinating conversations and performances from luminaries like Matty Matheson, Jeff Parker Quartet, Tegan and Sara, and Anne Curzan.
Snag a ticket for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (through November): Straight from Broadway on its first North American tour, this awe-inspiring show brings the magic of Hogwarts to the stage.
