The Windy City is the best place to celebrate the Christmas holiday. In fact, with chances for snow, cold breezes and a city full of lights and decorations, it’s hard not to get into the Christmas spirit. Find fun things to do in Chicago around the holidays with indoor and outdoor celebrations. Start with these Chicago holiday attractions to get into the Christmas spirit.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Put a smile on everyone’s face when stopping in at the ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo for some Chicago holiday cheer. This Chicago holiday attraction features vivid and colorful decorations, lights and a petting zoo for the little ones. For more than 25 years, this Chicago holiday tradition has featured more than 2.5 million lights, music, seasonal activities and family fun.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Combine holiday shopping in Chicago with some Christmas cheer when making your way to the Magnificent Mile. This famous lights festival begins in mid November with fireworks and a tree-lighting parade, but you can continue to enjoy this Chicago Holiday Attraction well past the Christmas holiday. Stop in at the hundreds of shops along the Magnificent Mile and simply look up to see the lights strung along the Chicago city streets.
Family Christmas Cruise
While gearing up for the holidays, Anita Dee Yacht Charters offers a magical experience for all ages with holiday cruises on Lake Michigan. This Chicago holiday attraction includes a whirl on Lake Michigan in a luxury yacht. Santa will be on board to hand out candy canes and as if that is not enough of a fun thing to do in Chicago, you can also enjoy cocktails, fine dining and dancing on board.
Christmas Plays and Musicals
What better way to get into the Christmas spirit in Chicago then to see a musical or play with holiday tunes? Chicago holiday attractions include Christmas shows at the Goodman Theatre, the Cadillac Palace Theatre and the Music Box Theatre. See holiday classic plays in Chicago such as “A Christmas Carol” and “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” to rev up that Christmas cheer.
Chicago Botanic Garden’s Wonderland Express
As a fan favorite Christmas activity in Chicago, it’s no wonder that the Chicago Botanic Garden is a popular Chicago hotspot. Imagine the scene with approximately 700,000 lights strewn throughout the gardens. This Chicago Christmas attraction is for all ages and includes a model train exhibition, a gift shop, vendor fair and decorations. Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy a Chicago Christmas when making this Chicago holiday attraction part of your celebration.
There are plenty of fun things to do in Chicago when the holidays roll around. From Chicago Christmas plays and musicals to dance parties on luxury yachts that offer a breathtaking view of Lake Michigan, it’s no wonder so many residents and tourists make Chicago their home during the Christmas holiday. Are you read to add some Christmas cheer to your Chicago itinerary? Start with this list and check back often for even more Chicago holiday events and festivals.