How To Holiday the Chicago Way: 5 Festive Recommendations
Kate O’Donnell ’28
Staff Writer
For those brave enough to bear occasional frigid temps, there is truly nothing more glorious than the “most wonderful time of the year” in the Windy City. Chicagoland’s abundance of cheerful holiday traditions offer something for everyone. Whether you’re hunting for perfect gifts before heading home or seeking local fun over break, these seasonal suggestions are sure to bring nostalgia, joy and whimsy to your December.
- Take in the sights on skates
For festive fun on the active side, lace up at Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink or Maggie Daley’s Skating Ribbon. The former lets you glide beneath the Chicago Christmas Tree and the iconic Cloud Gate (The Bean) and stays open through early February. Admission is free with your own skates, and free lessons run 9–10 a.m. on weekends. The latter curves through Maggie Daley Park’s whimsical landscape, offering a scenic “ice trail” open through March 8. (Reservations are recommended for both.) For a cozier neighborhood feel, check out Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park or Gallagher Way in Wrigleyville.
- Shop till you drop at a holiday market or pop-up
Nothing says Christmas in Chicago quite like Christkindlmarket, running through Christmas Eve in Daley Plaza. This traditional German market brims with handmade treasures—blown glass ornaments, knit gnomes, wooden clocks and more. Warm up with hot chocolate or Bavarian pretzels as you browse the rows of wooden huts. If it’s too crowded, try the One of a Kind Holiday Show at the Merchandise Mart (Dec. 4–7) for artisan crafts, or the Randolph Street Market (Dec. 13–14) for vintage finds and thrifting gems.
- Be captivated by a bedazzling light show
When the sun sets early, Chicago glows brighter. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo transforms the lakefront landmark with millions of twinkling bulbs, some dancing to music. Tickets range from $7–12, and Mondays are free. Check their calendar for themed nights, from sensory-friendly evenings to holiday movie screenings. Outside the city, Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden and Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum both offer stunning outdoor displays along ADA-accessible trails, wrapping nature in color and wonder.
- Soak in global festivities at theatres and museums
There’s something especially magical about live performances during the holidays. This year, Cirque du Soleil brings its first-ever holiday show, “’Twas the Night Before…,” to the Chicago Theatre (Dec. 11–28). The Joffrey Ballet’s timelessly elegant and jolly “The Nutcracker” returns to the Civic Opera House (Dec. 5–28). For a multicultural celebration, visit the Museum of Science and Industry’s annual Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light through January. 50 elaborately-decorated trees showcase global Christmas traditions while honoring holidays like Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Ramadan and St. Lucia Day; a festive reminder of Chicago’s diversity.
- Stick to the suburbs
The suburbs don’t skimp on seasonal spirit. Take a 20 minute drive to Winnetka to see the iconic Home Alone house at 671 Lincoln Ave., then stop into Towne and Oak for lunch, a cozy café decked out in “Home Alone” décor with festive drinks and pastries. Before heading back, swing by Chalet Home & Garden in Wilmette to meet Rudolph himself. Live reindeer visit the store annually until mid-December. Sip warm cider as you pet the reindeer and enjoy one of the North Shore’s most charming traditions.
After a semester of hard work and a long year, everyone deserves a little holiday magic. Whether you’re skating downtown, shopping local markets or chasing light shows across the suburbs, may these Chicago traditions fill your season with warmth and wonder.