The holidays are back! With so many events and activities, there is not a moment to waste. Get out your calendars and start your planning. We've been combing through all there is to see and do, in and around Chicago, for you.
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Parades
Magnificient Mile Lights Parade
Saturday, November 20, 2021, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
North Michigan Avenue
Thanksgiving Day - Where Grateful Hearts Gather
Thursday, November 25, 2021, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
State Street, From Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph
St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Monday, December 13, 2021, 4:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
5211 N. Clark St - Andersonville
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Hanukkah
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins
Free Live Performances!
November 20 – December 12, 2021
Rivendell Theatre
8th Night 8th Light
Sunday, December 5, 2021, 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Gallagher Way
8 Crazy Nights, Wrigleyville
November 19 - January 2, 2022
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Chicago’s “official” Christmas tree, the 108th Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree
Friday, November 19, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Millenium Park
Lakeview Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, November 21, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Corner of Southport and Wellington
Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce Holiday Tree Lighting
Tuesday, November 23, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
3646 N. Broadway - Walgreen's Parking Lot
Winterland Tree Lighting
Monday, November 29, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Gallagher Way
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Light Displays
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
November 12 - January 2, 2022
Lincoln Park ZooLights
November 19 - January 2, 2022 from 4pm-10pm.
- BrewLights (Adults-only)
December 2 - Holidaze (Adults-only)
December 16
Amaze Light Festival in Rosemont
November 19 - January 2, 2022
- Santa's Workshop
- Thrill Hill Tubing
Santa's Rock N Lights in Grayslake, IL
November 19 - January 2, 2022
Magic of Lights in La Porte, IN
November 19 - January 2, 2022
Illumination at The Morton Arboretum
November 20 - January 2, 2022
Santa's Village Azoosment Park Drive-thru Experience
November 26 - December 19, 2021
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great America
November 26 - December 30, 2021
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
November 26 - December 31, 2021
- Dinner with Santa
December 3 and December 10, 2021
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
November 26 - January 2, 2022
Ravenswood Light Up Nights
Free
December 17 - December 19, 2021
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Holiday Theater
loveactually? - Apollo Theater Chicago
November 17 - January 2, 2021
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins - Rivendell Theatre
Free Live Performances!
November 20 – December 12, 2021
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party - Chicago Children’s Theatre, 100 S. Racine
Performance followed by cookies and chocolate milk reception.
November 20 - December 24, 2021
A Christmas Carol - Goodman Theater
November 20 - December 31, 2021
That’s Weird, Grandma - Free Digital Short Film Festival
PlayMakers Laboratory is pleased to present its first-ever outdoor Digital Short Film Festival, featuring 90-minutes of hilarious digital adaptation of its long-running production That’s Weird, Grandma to bring some holiday cheer.
November 23, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Lakeview Low-Line at the Southport Brown Line stop, 3410 N. Southport Ave.
‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil - Chicago Theater
November 26 – December 5
Use code MACARONI now through 11/19 to received 30% off select seats and performances.
That's Weird, Grandma: Comes Home for the Holidays - Neo Futurist Theater (5153 N. Ashland Ave.)
December 10 - December 19, 2021
Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Musical - Rosemont Theater
Up to 73% Off
Sunday, December 19, 2021
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Nutcracker Performances
Art on theMart Projections
November 25 - December 30, 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Joffrey Ballet at Lyric Opera House
December 4 -December 26, 2021
The Nutcracker at Mandel Hall on the University of Chicago campus, 1131 E. 57th Street
Hyde Park School of Dance (HPSD) brings together fans of ballet, modern, and hip hop with the return of live performance in its annual presentation of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
December 10 - December 12, 2021
Ballet Chicago's Nutcracker at the Athenaeum Theatre
December 10 - December 19, 2021
"Duke It Out" at Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston
The Music Institute of Chicago brings back a holiday tradition with “Duke It Out!,” featuring the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) versions of The Nutcracker in a music and dance performance
December 11 at 2pm
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Holiday Pop-Ups
Santa Baby Bar, Wrigleyville
November 17, 2021 -
Rudolph's Bar, Wrigleyville
November 19, 2021 -
8 Crazy Nights, Wrigleyville
November 19 - January 2, 2022
Jack Frost Winter Walk and Christmas Tree Farm, Goose Island
November 24, 2021 -
Frosty's Christmas Bar, Goose Island
November 26, 2021 -
Buddy the Elf Pop-Up Christmas Experience, The Westin Chicago Northwest
November 26 - December 23, 2021
Sleigh Bells, A Kaleidoscopic Holiday Experience
December 2 - December 24, 2021
Santa Wonderland by Luft Balloons
December 3 - December 23, 2021
Shopping Strolls/Markets
Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville
November 19 - December 31, 2021
Christkindlmarket Daley Plaza
November 19 - December 24, 2021
Small Business Saturday in Lincoln Square/Ravenswood
November 27, 2021
Southport Holiday Stroll & Cocktail Crawl
December 3, 2021
Andersonville Winter Market on Catalpa
December 3-5, 2021
Julmarknad - Swedish American Museum Annual Christmas Bazaar, Andersonville
December 4, 2021
Glenwood Avenue Holiday Market
December 4-5, 2021
Roscoe Village Winterfest: Sleigh Rides and Santa
December 5, 2021
Check Back Often for Additions, Take a Look at our Holiday Season Activity Bucket List, and Don't Forget to Shop Local
