With the holidays in full swing, December is a magical month filled with things to do throughout Chicago. There’s plenty to keep you busy as we wrap up the year, including beloved plays and concerts, ultra-festive pop-up bars, holiday markets, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and more. Check out our list of favorite Chicago activities and events to enjoy this December 2024.
Top events in Chicago this December
Shop at the One of a Kind Holiday Show (Dec. 5 – 8): Head to THE MART to browse the art and offerings from over 500 artists for this annual holiday market that’s been a Chicago favorite for more than 20 years.
Marvel at The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet (Dec. 6 – 28): Head to the Lyric Opera for a special Chicago-style version of the beloved holiday ballet, set during the 1893 World’s Fair.
Visit Winterland outside Wrigley Field (through December): This free family-friendly event is back for the season, featuring plenty of opportunities to meet Santa, enjoy carnival rides and bumper cars, ride the holiday train, hear live music, and much more.
Be amazed by ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo (through December): Head to Lincoln Park Zoo for a celebratory holiday tradition beloved by so many, and explore the hundreds of lights scattered across the zoo.
See the official city Christmas tree (through December): The brightly decorated tree, a Chicago tradition for more than 100 years, will stand tall in the heart of Millennium Park through the new year.
Explore holiday traditions from around the world (through December): The holidays are headed to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry with this seasonal exhibit highlighting traditions and customs from across the globe.
Experience the magic of Christkindlmarket (through Dec. 24): The iconic German-inspired holiday market is back! Sip on a mug full of hot wine, enjoy traditional treats, and stock up on handmade gifts.
Head to Navy Pier for Light Up the Lake (through December): Stroll through the dazzling outdoor lights, race down the new exhilarating ice slide, cozy up at the firepits, and catch the weekend fireworks shows.
Enjoy Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden (through December): Explore the Chicago Botanic Garden’s trails with a magical twist for the holidays, filled with new light installations, holiday music, and more.
Check out the Winter Flower Show at Garfield Park (through December): The Garfield Park Conservatory’s annual Winter Flower Show is a feast for the senses (and a great way to warm up on a winter day).
Catch an unforgettable ride on the Holiday Train (through December): Each winter, the Holiday Train brings festive cheer to riders across Chicago. Santa leads the procession of cars elaborately decorated for the holidays.
Go ice skating at Millennium Park (through December): Skate with a city view at Millennium Park’s ice rink. Admission is free, but online ticket reservations are required.
Ring in the New Year with waterfront fireworks (Dec. 31): Usher in 2025 with a dazzling, free display of fireworks at Navy Pier at the stroke of midnight.
Explore more: Find things to do this weekend in Chicago
More events in Chicago this December
Get tickets for Hershel & The Hanukkah Goblins (starting Dec. 3): Strawdog Theatre presents a fun musical adaption of the award-winning book that’s perfect for the whole family.
Attend a holiday party at a history museum (Dec. 4): The Chicago History Museum will be home to a musical, sing-along celebration complete with caroling from the Great Lakes Dredge and Philharmonic Society, food, drinks, and more.
Sing along at Millennium Park (Dec. 6, 13, and 20): The Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along invites Chicagoans and visitors to gather before “The Bean” and sing along to holiday songs from around the world.
Attend the Blue Island Holiday Light Parade (Dec. 7): The historic Pullman district hosts this lights parade, featuring pictures with Santa, free carriage rides, a Ferris wheel and petting zoo, music, food and so much more.
Enjoy Love Actually live in concert (Dec. 7): If you’re a fan of the movie, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to watch the beloved holiday film accompanied by the Chicago Philharmonic orchestra.
Attend a holiday show at the Old Town School of Music (Dec. 7): Bring the family for this all-ages event that combines music and storytelling for a unique holiday experience.
Celebrate the Holly-Day in Hyde Park (Dec. 7): Head to Hyde Park for a day full of festive celebrations, including ice skating, an ice carving demonstration, opportunities to meet Santa and Buddy the Elf, holiday crafts, live reindeer, and much more.
Head to the Music Box for a Christmas Sing-a-long (Dec. 7 – 24): This longstanding tradition at the historic Music Box Theatre brings iconic Christmas movies to the big screen, with lyrics so the audience can sing along.
Experience a Chicago tradition at the symphony (Dec. 18 – 23): Get into the spirit at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s holiday tradition of performing festive holiday songs and carols in a decked-out Orchestra Hall.
Grab tickets for The Hip Hop Nutcracker (Dec. 10 – 15): The CIBC Theater will be home to a five-day run of The Hip Hop Nutcracker, a fun, family-friendly twist on the holiday classic.
Enjoy an adults-only night out at ZooLights (Dec. 12): Leave the kids at home for this 21+ evening event at Lincoln Park Zoo, featuring live DJ music, ice carving, pop-up food and drink offerings, and more.
Experience a one-of-a-kind Swedish tradition (Dec. 13): The St. Lucia Festival of Lights is a candle-lit procession that brings holiday cheer and song to the charming Andersonville neighborhood each year.
Shop the SAUCED Night Market Before Christmas (Dec. 13 – 14): Shop local this holiday season with the evening pop-up market inside the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.
Don’t miss the Holiday House Party at the Shedd (Dec. 14): Head to the Shedd for its first-ever, adults-only holiday house party, featuring a Chicago local live DJ spinning house music.
Explore more: Experience authentic Chicago traditions with these neighborhood holiday events.
Shop a market of local women makers (Dec. 14 – 15): The Chicago Art Girls are hosting a holiday pop-up at Bell Elementary, showing local, handmade gifts from over 40 women artists from across the city.
Enjoy a Mariachi Christmas concert at Thalia Hall (Dec. 15): This one-of-a-kind musical experience blends electrifying Mariachi traditions with a big dose of holiday magic.
Travel to Bedford Falls for the holidays (through December): It’s a Wonderful Life: Live in Chicago, one of the longest-running holiday plays in Chicago, brings the classic Frank Capra tale to life at the American Blues Theater.
Go ice skating at Maggie Daley Park (through December): Skate with a city view at Maggie Daley ice rink.
See A Christmas Carol at an award-winning theatre (through December): This year is the 46th annual celebration of the beloved holiday tale that tells the heartwarming story of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Don’t miss the Illumination Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum (through December): The annual event covers fifty acres of the Morton Arboretum, filled with a spectacle of light, sound, and color.
Take the kids to see the Beatrix Potter Holiday Party (through Dec. 24) Beatrix Potter’s iconic novels come to life throughout a holiday party show at the Chicago Children’s Theatre.
Snag a ticket for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (through December): Straight from Broadway on its first North American tour, this awe-inspiring show brings the magic of Hogwarts to the stage.
Celebrate holiday magic at Brookfield Zoo (through Dec. 31): Head to the Brookfield Zoo for a light-filled display that includes over two million lights, a skating rink, illuminated animal sculptures, and more.
Go ice skating on the roof of The Peninsula (through December): The rooftop ice rink is back at The Peninsula, where you can skate with a backdrop of skyscrapers and the holiday lights of The Mag Mile.
Float down the Chicago River in a hot tub boat (through December): This holiday season, float and drink in a unique hot tub boat as you cruise down the Chicago River in style.
Drive through the Light of Christmas Show (through December): Guaranteed Rate Field, the home of the White Sox, will be home to a drive-through holiday lights festival that includes over one million string lights.
Get in the spirit at an immersive holiday pop-up (through December): The massive holiday pop-up returns, but this year heads to Fulton Market, transforming into a winter wonderland featuring ice skating, cocktails, ax throwing, bumper cars & more.
