November in Chicago is a busy time and much of has to do with the holidays, which kick off the day before Thanksgiving with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by Chicago's Thanksgiving Day Parade.With so many holiday events starting this month, it's hard not to find something fun to do in Chicago in November. Here is a sampling of some of the city's best November events.
November 2010 Chicago Weather:
Average High Temperature: 47°F (8°C)Average Low Temperature: 32°F (0°C)
Average Snowfall: 2.9" Average Precipitation: 2.7"
November 2010 Events/Notes:
November 17, 2010: Ice skating at Millennium Park- Come out and skate for free under some of Chicago's most impressive skyscrapers. This outdoor skating rink is open daily through March 13, 2011. Skate rentals are available for $10. Tip: Afterwards have lunch or dinner at the Park Grill located behind the rink.
November 24, 2010: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Celebrating its 97th year, this Chicago "must" holiday event takes place at the Daley Plaza and includes musical performances beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the officiat tree lighting at 5:00 p.m.
November 25, 2010: McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade - This annual favorite that attracts almost a half a million spectators and starts off on State Street at 8:30 a.m. and includes marching bands, holiday-themed floats and gigantic inflatable helium balloons (similar to what you see in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City). Can't make it out to the parade? No problem. WGN Channel 9 will broadcast the parade.
Starting November 25, 2010: Christkindlmarket Chicago - The Christkindlmarket is Chicago's largest open-air Christmas festival and includes European arts and crafts, as well as brats, spiced wine and other German specialties. The only downside to this year's market will be the city's Christmas tree. Due to budget cuts, the tree will be considerably smaller this year. Normally, the tree is comprised of several large Christmas trees. This year, it will just be one tree, at least that is what I have heard. The Christkindlmarket is open daily through December 25 at Chicago's Daley Plaza.
November 26 - 28, 2010: Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music at the Music Box Theatre on Southport Avenue - If you love Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, then you won't want to miss this sing-a-long to subtitles. The movie's biggest fans usually get there early and in costume no less. Advanced tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children under 12. The price goes up when purchasing at the door: $15 for adults; 49 for kids.
