Christmas is a festive time in Chicago. From the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival to the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza, which serves my favorite holiday drink, hot spiced wine from a boot-shaped mug, Chicago is full of holiday events and things to do. Here are some of the best things to do and see in Chicago this holiday season.
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 11, 2012. Skate rentals are available for $10. Tip: Afterwards have lunch or dinner at the Park Grill located behind the rink.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - Chicago kicks off its holiday season with its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Daley Plaza on November 23 at 5 p.m. weather permitting. This year's tree will be from the Spangler family whose 55-foot spruce tree won voters' hearts. The Spanglers are from Western Springs.
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). The route is State Street from Congress to Randolph. Can't make it out to the parade? No problem. WGN Channel 9 will broadcast the parade.
Lincoln Square Christkindlmarket - More than 30 merchants will sell German crafts and foods, including sausages, jam-filled doughnuts called krapfen, potato pancakes and apple streusel at Lincoln Square's annual Christkindlmarket that also includes visits from St. Nicholas and ornament and cookie decorating. Dates are December 2 - 4 and admission is a $3 donation.
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 24, 2011 at Chicago's Daley Plaza.
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 $12.50 for adults and $8 for children under 12. The price goes up when purchasing at the door: $15 for adults; 49 for kids.
CTA Holiday Train - Check back later for information on the 2011 Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Holdai Train.
Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier - Navy Pier's winter festival that includes a castle, ice skating, and holiday entertainment and runs December 2, 2011 - January 8, 2012. Tickets start at $15.
Lincoln Park Zoo ZooLights - Each year the Lincoln Park Zoo decorates its grounds and trees with mult-colored lights and animal figures. ZooLights is free and is sponsored by ComEd. Activities include ice carving demonstrations, photos with santa, and more.
Shedd Aquarium Holiday Breakfasts - The Shedd Holiday Breakfasts are back, Saturdays starting Nov. 26. Treat the family to a special holiday experience where after a full breakfast, it’s “All aboard!” for a private viewing of the 15-minute The Polar Express 4-D Experience, followed by a drawing for special prizes. The holiday fun continues during a visit with Santa. Snap a photo with him and receive a gift. Explore Shedd’s Polar Play Zone and finish your special day with reserved seats to A Holiday Fantasea. Events will be held on November 26 and December 10, 17 and 24. Tickets are $44.95 for adults and $34.95 for children (ages 3-11), which includes a Total Experience Pass, breakfast, Polar Express bell, photo with Santa, and reserved seating for A Holiday Fantasea. Shedd members receive a $5 discount on tickets. Other holiday events at the Shedd Aquarium include the A Holiday Fantasea where the Shedd's Pacific white-sided dolphins leap, beluga whales breach, and a sea lion saunters showcase their natural behaviors set to a festive soundtrack from around the world. Santa makes a special appearance too. A Holiday Fantasea is offered November 25, 2011 through January 2, 2012.
A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre - Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, a Charles Dickens' classic story, runs November 18 through December 31, 2011. Tickets range from $16 - $45.
Nutcracker with the Joffrey Ballet - This holiday tradition performed by Chicago's Joffrey Ballet runs December 9 - 27, 2011 with 2 and 7 p.m. shows. at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 East Congress Parkway. Tickets range from $15 - $125.
Holiday Events at the Morton Arboretum - Several holiday events are going on at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, including an "Enchanted Railroad" with model trains of different colors and styles; holiday shopping with more than 2,000 nature-inspired books for adults and children, jewelry, art, and attire; and Breakfast with Santa.
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light - This holiday exhibition features over 50 trees and displays that are decorated by members of ethnic communities across the city to reflect holiday customs from all over the world. Held through January 8, 2012 at the Museum of Science and Industry (57th Street & Lake Shore Drive). Admission is $15 for adults; $14 for seniors; and $10 for children 3-11.
Chicago Greeter Program - The Chicago Greeter's Magnificent Mile InstaGreeter service offers hour-long walks of festive North Michigan Avenue and surrounding areas led by knowledgeable locals. Your Greeter guide will give you an insider's look at the historic Streeterville and Gold Coast neighborhoods; landmarks such as the John Hancock Center and the former Playboy Mansion, historic hotels and cathedrals; and best bets for holiday shopping. The walks are free and are available on Fridays and Saturdays between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at the Water Works Visitor Information Center, 163 E. Pearson Street.
Macy's Holiday Window Displays - Macy's on State Street is one of the largest department stores in the world and is a Chicago holiday shopping tradition with its famed holiday window displays (The original Marshall Fields where Macy's is today was the first store to ever feature holiday windows.), as well as its 45-foot Great Tree decorated with over 1,200 themed ornaments and 25,000 lights in the department store's Walnut Room.
