Can you believe that the holiday season is here already? I’m so excited!!!! I’ll admit the Christmas Tree and decor is already up in the house and I’ve been watching the Hallmark channel non-stop. I feel that the holidays go by so fast now I want to extend them in every way possible. This week kicks off the holiday season in Chicago with tons of tree lightings and festive activities. To get you all in the spirit with me I’m sharing my Top 15 Holiday Activities in Chicago.
Illuminate 900
*image via David Murga
The first official event of the season is at the 900 North Michigan Avenue Shops. They will be hosting “Illuminate 900,” on Thursday, November 15 from 6pm – 8pm which is a tree lighting party with activities for everyone. It includes cookie decorating, live performances, a live Elf on the Shelf and the official lighting of the 50 foot tall tree in the center of the mall. While the event is free (with a suggested donation to benefit Make-a-Wish Illinois) they do offer VIP tickets (for a small price), which includes holiday cocktails and treats, its well worth the donation. Tickets can be purchased here. I’ve marveled at this tree for years and seeing it light up for the first time in person is a special treat. I’ll be there this year and can’t wait!
Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights
Chicago holds a magical day of events downtown, ending with a parade to light the lights down Michigan Ave. This years event is held on November 17. Various hotels and stores along the Magnificent Mile hold events such as tree lightings, caroling and fun wintery snacks. We spend the whole day enjoying the city, our go-to line up for events is cocktails and Christmas Carols at the Knickerbocker Hotel, check out the parade for a little bit, head to the Ritz-Carlton hotel for the tree lighting and champagne, and finish up at an Italian restaurant in the Gold Coast. Of all the top 15 holiday activities in Chicago, this one has the largest crowds at once.
Holiday Shopping and Brunch
Restoration Hardware has absolutely nothing to do with the holidays, however we brunch at the 3 Arts Club Cafe located inside of the Restoration Hardware in Chicago every year around Christmas. If you haven’t been to this pace yet, and you live in Chicago, you are missing out. It’s the most gorgeous cafe in the center of the most gorgeous home store. There is usually a wait for a table and they don’t take reservations. So we check in for a table and grab a glass of wine at the bar and stroll around the store while sipping our wine. RH in Chicago may be the happiest place on earth!
Chicago Christkindlmarket
Every holiday season a traditional German Market makes it way into downtown Chicago complete with bratwursts, roasted nuts and gloog (a traditional German holiday market hot spiced wine). The market run from November 16 – December 24. I suggest taking one night to visit the market. Head over to the market just when it’s getting dark out so you can enjoy the lights and festive atmosphere. Visit all the shops, have a snack and drink the gloog out of souvenir ceramic mugs. We try to stay as long as we can, but usually have to leave because I’m too cold.
Zoo Lights
I’m pretty sure every Zoo has Zoo Lights. Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo hosts Zoo lights during the holiday season and also holds a special members-only night as well. We are members so we tend to go on the designated member night to avoid huge crowds. We sip hot coco and check out the Penguins and the Polar Bear. Nothing screams holidays like a Polar Bear and Zoo and lights! It runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights on November 23-25 and November 30 – December 2 and then nightly from December 7 – January 6.
Cultural/Art Event
Attending a cultural or art event around the holidays is always fun. We try to see at least one Christmas play or concert a year. One year we watched It’s a Wonderful Life with a live orchestra at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It was really cool to watch the movie and have live music being played during it. Last year we saw White Christmas at the Cadillac Palace Theater. It’s my favorite Christmas movie and I’m excited to see it come to life on stage!
Lunch in the Walnut Room
Macy’s iconic Walnut Room and Christmas Tree has been a family tradition since I was a little kid. I remember having Breakfast With Santa in the Walnut Room when I was 7 years old, I can even tell you what I was wearing. (Fund fact about me, I can remember what I was wearing pretty much every day dating back to when I was a kid. It’s an odd talent, but one I love!). We still make it for lunch or dinner there once a year to see the tree and enjoy the atmosphere.
Caroling at Cloud Gate (aka the Bean)
Select Fridays (and one Wednesday) in November and December (November 23 & 30, December 7, 12 & 14) local Chicago choral groups lead hundreds in song as a holiday celebration. Bundle up, grab a hot chocolate and get ready to take part in the sing-along in Millennium Park.
Dinner or Drinks By a Fireplace
Everything is more cozy when there is a fireplace involved. Whether it’s dinner or drinks, cozy up to a fireplace and enjoy your time. Some of my favorite fireside meals and drinks have been at; The Gage, The Chicago Athletic Association (The Drawing Room and Cindy’s Rooftop), Allium Restaurant and Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel, Drumbar at the Rafaello Hotel, and RM Champagne Salon.
Tree Viewing
Take a stroll around town while viewing the Christmas Trees in the office buildings and hotels. I like to bundle up, walk around and have a drink or a snack at a couple of the stops along the way. Some of the best trees can be found at; The Palmer House, The Waldorf, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the office building located at 190 S. LaSalle Street, and the Shops at 900 North Michigan Ave.
One-of-a-Kind Show
Its Chicago’s favorite annual holiday shopping event. Running December 6-9 this show features over 600 talented makers of homemade original gift ideas. Not everything is Christmas themed, but everything is hand crafted by talented people. The show offers eats and drinks as well so you can easily make a day out of this event. My tip would be if you like something buy it! I’ve tried to “think about” purchases in the past and stopped by a booth later to buy the item only to find its been sold.
Ice Skating
*In Chicago there are several places to ice skate around the holidays. A few of my favorites include;
- The Chicago Peninsula outdoor ice skating rink located on the Terrace. They transform the Shanghai Terrace to a small winter wonderland, with ice skating and hot winter beverages and other snacks.
- Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink is open from November 16 – March 10 (hours vary) and features a huge ice rink directly under the Bean. It’s a beautiful site and ushers in the holiday season.
- Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park – In the heart of downtown Chicago with the city as the backdrop this Skating ribbon provides a unique ice skating experience. The season starts November 16th and they are open for select hours on each holiday.
View the lights on Michigan Avenue and Lake Shore Drive in your Car
Chicago is a walkable city and that’s usually how I enjoy it and get around. I do, however, go joyriding once a year and it’s during the holidays. Late at night, when there isn’t much traffic we start on the far north side and cruise down Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue to take in the lights of the city and holidays. Most high-rise buildings lining this route do beautiful and tasteful light displays on their property. It’s fun to see the city from a different view and in its holiday best.
Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
This event takes place on November 16 in Millennium Park, the same day that ice skating at the Bean kicks off its season. The tree lighting is the official start to the City of Chicago’s holiday season and is widely attended. This year marks the 105th Annual Tree Lighting.
Macy’s Holiday Window Display
No holiday season is complete without seeing the windows at Macy’s on State Street. This is an old tradition that is still fun today. I like to view the windows at off-peak hours, like early morning, so I can actually view the windows. However, it truly is a magical experience when it’s dark out and the lights fill the night sky.
Those are my Top 15 Holiday Activities In Chicago. What are your favorite holiday activities? I’d love to hear about them?
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