Lots of things happening in the city:

Monday - Dec 9th

Marz Beer Dinner - Dining experience curated by executive chef Rodney Staton, featuring Midwest-inspired new American dishes to fill your December with flavor.

• Price: $80
• Address: 2202 N California Ave (Logan Square)

Tuesday - Dec 10th

First night of The Hip Hop Nutcracker  - A holiday mash-up for the whole family, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic: hip hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into a heart-stirring and inspirational holiday event.

• Price: $35
• Address: CIBC Theater (18 W Monroe St)
• Note: Runs December 10th – 15th

Wednesday - Dec 11th

Under the Pop Stars @ Santas Secret Treehouse - Special night of Pop & Christmas Hits at this enchanting pop (rumored to be Santa’s helpers’ favorite retreat). Explore a world of festive surprises, imaginative decor, and holiday cheer!

• Price: Free (depending on time/capacity) - $25 admission
• Address: 149 W Kinzie St (River North)
• Note: Through December 30th with varying themed nights each Wednesday/Saturday

Thursday - Dec 12th

Adults-only night out at ZooLights - Leave the kids at home for this 21 evening event at Lincoln Park Zoo, featuring live DJ music, ice carving, pop-up food and drink offerings, and more.

• Price: $25 general admission
• Address: Lincoln Park Zoo
• Note: Your ticket purchases help the zoo stay free, open, and accessible for all, 365 days a year!

Winterland at Gallagher Way - With music, Santa, seasonal food and drinks, and rides, you can expect plenty of free holiday cheer anytime you visit Gallagher Way!

• Price: Admission to Gallagher Way is FREE
• Address: 3635 N Clark Street
• Note: Every Thursday - Sunday until December 21

Pentatonix: Hallelujah! It’s A Christmas Tour - a holiday concert tour by the Grammy Award-winning vocal group Pentatonix.

• Price: $42
• Address: 6920 Mannheim Road (Allstate Arena)

Friday - Dec 13th

Sing along at Millennium Park - The Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along invites Chicagoans and visitors to gather before “The Bean” and sing along to holiday songs from around the world.

• Price: Free
• Address: Cloud Gate (The Bean)
• Note: This holiday tradition take place at 6 p.m. on Fridays between December 6 and December 20.

St. Lucia Festival of Lights - a Swedish tradition of a candle-lit procession that brings holiday cheer and song to the charming Andersonville neighborhood each year.

• Price: Free admission
• Address: Swedish American Museum and Ebenezer Lutheran Church

Night Market Before Xmas - Check all the names of your holiday list with gifts from over 30 local vendors. Shop for small-batch skincare and hand-bound notebooks, cozy sweaters and one-of-a-kind art.

• Price: Free to attend with RSVP
• Address: Chicago Athletic Association Hotel
• Note: Guests will be admitted on a first come, first served basis until the venue hits capacity. Drinks available for guests ages 21 with valid ID.

Saturday - Dec 14th

Holiday House Party at the Shedd - First-ever, adults-only holiday house party, featuring a Chicago local live DJ spinning house music.

• Price: Non-Chicago resident starts at $39.95, Chicago resident $19.95, Members $14.95
• Address: Shedd Aquarium
• Note: Don’t miss the chance for up-close animal encounters and new expansive exhibits adding a wild twist to this festive celebration! Photo ID required for entry

TBOX | Chicago's 28th Annual 12 Bars of Xmas/Santa Crawl - World's Largest Christmas Bar Crawl in Wrigley! Pop-Up Bars, Free Breakfast, $9 in Gift Cards To Use On The Crawl, Drink Specials & More!

• Price: $25
• Address: 3655 North Sheffield Avenue
• Note: This year, a portion of proceed will go to the Lakeview East Community Partnership to benefit causes right here in the Lakeview / Wrigley neighborhood!

Sunday - Dec 15th

Mariachi Christmas Concert - This one-of-a-kind musical experience blends electrifying Mariachi traditions with a big dose of holiday magic.

• Price: $40
• Address: Thalia Hall (1807 S Allport Street)
• Note: Selling out fast, buy tickets now if interested!

Head to Navy Pier for Light Up the Lake - Stroll through the dazzling outdoor lights and race down the new exhilarating ice slide! Try your hand at axe throwing, take a spin on Pier Park rides like the iconic Centennial Wheel, and cozy up by firepits in the Beer Garden.

• Price: Free admission
• Address: Navy Pier
• Note: Available until January 5, 2025

Don’t Forget To Plan Your NYE Party in Chicago!

• New Year's Eve Party at Theater on the Lake - With breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of Lake Michigan, the sparkling Chicago skyline, and the Navy Pier fireworks, this party is the ultimate way to ring in the New Year!
  • Price: $95 - $1,750
• New Years Eve 2025 @ Joy District - Experience a Night of Pure Elegance at Joy District's New Year's Eve Extravaganza! Welcome the New Year in style at Joy District's exclusive New Year's Eve Party!
  • Price: $75
• LondonHouse Chicago - features a four-hour premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and Chicago DJs spinning all night long. Guests will enjoy panoramic views of the skyline and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, complete with party favors and confetti to mark the occasion.
  • Price: $225 (only GA available)
• The Golden Era New Year's Eve @ The Ritz-Carlton - Celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2025, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is commemorating its “Golden Era” milestone with a New Year’s Eve party. The Lakeside Room offers views of the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Navy Pier, providing the backdrop for a midnight toast.
  • Price: $295

Great Deals

Neon Gardens Launches Happy Hour- Lincoln Park’s newest neighborhood hotspot is now offering their new happy hour menu! Stop in at Neon Gardens Monday – Friday from 5:30pm – 9:00pm to receive a free slice if you get a glass of wine, a beer or a handcrafted cocktail.

• Address: 2576 N. Lincoln Ave

All Month Long

Jack Frost Christmas Pop-Up - The sprawling two-acre attraction boasts a Christmas market, photo opportunities and a variety of activities like ice skating, bumper cars, axe throwing, curling and more. You'll also have the opportunity to sip on boozy hot cocoa and other holiday cocktails while wandering through a light-filled Christmas tree walk.

• Price: $15 - $181
• Address: 170 N Green St
• Note: All ages welcome | 21 to drink | 18 axe throwing | winter bumper cars included in all packages

NoMI Lounge Hot Chocolate Experience - Experience the warmth of the season at NoMI Lounge. Pour yourself a cup of rich Valrhona hot chocolate, then indulge in a buffet of housemade toppings from NoMI’s pastry team. For a grown-up twist, choose from a selection of spirits to “spike” your creation.

• Price: $20
• Location: 800 North Michigan Avenue
• Note: Reservations in NoMI Lounge are preferred, not required. Available until January 1, 2025

Experience the magic of The Christmas Inn on Hubbard Street - Throughout December, join Hubbard Inn for a magical lineup of holiday festivities! Enjoy weekly events, happy hour specials every weekday, and much more. Check the calendar for specific dates and times to plan your perfect holiday experience

• Price: Varies (no entrance fee)
• Address: 110 W Hubbard St (River North)
• Note: Runs through December 24th.

Winterland, a Thrilling and One of a Kind Immersive Holiday Experience - Prepare to step into a whimsical world of festive enchantment at Winterland, where, from the moment guests arrive, they’re transported into a wonderland of holiday delights.

• Price: $12.50 – $22.50
• Address: 600 East Grand Avenue (Navy Pier)
• Note: Winterland runs until January 5, 2025

CTA Holiday Train and Bus - Get ready for a festive ride—the CTA Holiday Train and Bus are coming to town! The train is decked out in twinkling holiday lights, with Santa and his reindeer riding outside to wave at families—you can spot the festive locomotive in CTA stations throughout the city from November 29 through December 23. The CTA Holiday Bus, on the other hand, will hit the road on November 26 and make its rounds through December 21. Check the CTA website for the full schedule of train and bus routes.

• Price: Fare price
• Address: Varies

Elf’d Up Pop-up - The 2003 holiday movie Elf takes center stage at this Wrigleyville pop-up located inside of Stretch Bar & Grill. Take a seat at tables stocked with the four main food groups (candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup) and treat yourself to a plate of Buddy's breakfast pasta or a beer served in a 36-ounce elf boot.

• Price: Free entrance
• Location: 3485 N Clark St (Stretch Bar & Grill, Wrigleyville)
• Note: Open November 9th through December 30th

Iceskating at Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park - Skate under the Chicago skyline at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park. Plus, take advantage of free skating lessons on most Saturdays and Sundays, where you can learn both beginner- and intermediate-level skills.

• Price: Have your own skates? Free Monday through Thursday & for 11am sessions Friday through Sunday ( $5 for other time slots Friday through Sunday, as well as holidays). Need rental skates? Entry is $17–$23
• Location: Millennium Park & Maggie Daley Park
• Note: Opening November 15th through February 2nd or March 9th. Reservations are required.

Lincoln Park Zoolights - To see one of the largest displays of holiday lights within city limits, you need to head to Lincoln Park Zoo, where the annual ZooLights display strings up millions of LED blubs. While most of the animals will be keeping warm inside, visitors are welcome to wander through the park!

• Price: $7 most weeknights & Sundays, $10 on Fridays & Saturdays, free admission tickets on Mondays.
• Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
• Note: Open November 15th - January 5th

Christkindlmarket - The iconic German-inspired holiday market at Daley Plaza brings just over a month of Christmassy celebrations to the Loop. Browse stalls stocked with handmade gifts, German food and plenty of hot beverages to keep you warm while you wander around and soak in the festive atmosphere.

• Price: Varies by vendor
• Location: 50 W Washington St (Daley Plaza, Loop)
• Note: Open through December 24rd

Christmas Around the World - Every year, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry puts up its four-story Grand Tree and surrounds the towering pine with more than 50 trees that represent Chicago's various communities and their respective holiday celebrations.

• Price: Included in museum admission ($25 for adult, $15 for children 11 & under)
• Location: Museum of Science & Industry
• Note: Open November 16th - January 6th

Free museum days:

Field Museum: Every Wednesday

Shedd Aquarium:  Every Tuesday 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Adler Planetarium: Free every Wednesday, open 4pm - 10pm (9pm last admission)

Museum of Contemporary Art: Every Tuesday

Note: For Illinois residents only, advanced reservations online are required

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