Chicago’s 20 Favorite Christmas Traditions to Enjoy the Holiday Season

There is no doubt that Chicago is one of the most magical places in the United States to enjoy the Christmas holiday season. You may have to bundle up to explore Chicago in December, but its winter wonderland experiences are worth it. From streets lined with twinkling lights to seasonal flavors and festive Christmas events, you can find the holiday spirit in Chicago.

I’ve lived in Chicago for nearly two decades, and I’ve written two books about Chicago. I’ve rounded up the Chicago Christmas events that have been beloved for decades. Sip mulled wine at the Christkindlmarket, snap a selfie at the Marshall Field’s Christmas tree, and catch a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre. Whether you’re visiting Chicago for Christmas or you live in Chicagoland, here are 20 Chicago Christmas events from a local. 

Looking for more ideas? Check out my article on 50 fun things to do in Chicago in December.

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Chicago’s Favorite Christmas Events

1. A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre – Nov. 15 – Dec. 31, 2025

Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly visitors have graced the stage at the Goodman Theatre in the Loop for more than 40 years. Find out why its rendition of A Christmas Carol is a Chicago classic.

2. Snap a Selfie with the Wreathed Lions at the Art Institute

The lions who stand guard at the Art Institute entrance in downtown Chicago are a symbol of the city. Since 1992, they have been sporting handmade 6-foot-wide wreaths with oversized red bows for the holiday season. Each wreath weighs about 250 pounds and is created by the grounds crew. Get tickets in advance and skip the line with a guided tour.

3. The Nutcracker at the Joffrey Ballet – December 5–28, 2025

The Nutcracker is beloved around the world, but the Joffrey’s version has a Chicago spin. The ballet takes place in Chicago at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, the perfect backdrop for dazzling performances inspired by cultures from around the world.

Need more information on what to do while you’re in Chicago? Check out all of my Chicago articles and don’t miss my Chicago books Secret Chicago: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure and Chicago Scavenger!

4. Chicago Symphony Orchestra Brass – December 16, 2025

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s brass section takes center stage in this mighty annual performance. This year’s brass concert features works by French composers from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries played by 17 brass players and guest musicians.

5. Drink a Tom and Jerry at Miller’s Pub

A Tom and Jerry is a vintage holiday drink with the flavor of eggnog and the consistency of pancake batter. The classic concoction can be found throughout the Midwest, but Miller’s Pub in the Loop has been serving the same recipe since the 1950s.

6. TubaChristmas at the Palmer House – December 20, 2025

Hear the powerful sound of more than 400 tubas in one place at TubaChristmas. The holiday concert has been held for more than 50 years in many cities, but Chicago’s event takes place at the Palmer House Hotel at 11:30 a.m.

7. Christkindlmarket Chicago – Through December 24, 2025

Perhaps the most beloved of Chicago Christmas events, Christkindlmarket is the Windy City version of a traditional German Christmas market. Shop for handmade ornaments and gifts from around the world. Sip hot Glühwein, snack on roasted nuts, and meet your friends for holiday cheer downtown in Daley Plaza.

8. Winterland at Gallagher Way – Through December 31, 2025

The area next to Wrigley Field gets a holiday makeover for Winterland. The pop-up features photos with Santa, carnival rides, seasonal foods, holiday movie screenings, and a Lakeview edition of the popular Christkindlmarket.

9. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum – Through January 3, 2026

The Morton Arboretum trees glow with thousands of holiday lights for “Illumination” in suburban Lisle. You’ll be enchanted by the light and music show during the mile-long walk while enjoying winter activities like marshmallow roasting.

10. Visit Filming Locations from Your Favorite Holiday Movies

Retrace the locations of your favorite holiday films shot in Chicago.

• Home Alone: Admire the McCallister home in Winnetka at 671 Lincoln Avenue. Visit the Rookery in the Loop to see the exterior of Duncan’s Toy Chest. Dash through O’Hare International Airport like you’re catching a flight to Paris.
• The Polar Express: The South Side neighborhood of Pullman stood in for the North Pole, with its Market Hall and clock tower inspiring scenes in the film.
• Christmas Vacation – Go Christmas shopping downtown like the Griswolds did at Marshall Field’s, see the skyscraper where Clark gave his boss a gift at 875 North Michigan Avenue (and visit the observation deck), and visit Daley Plaza outside of Clark’s office—although you’ll find the Christkindlmarket there today instead of a tree.

11. Christmas Around the World at MSI – Through January 5, 2026

Deck the halls at the Museum of Science and Industry’s annual “Christmas Around The World.” The Hyde Park museum’s four-story-tall Grand Tree shines surrounded by more than 50 trees with decorations representing different ethnic communities in Chicago in a tradition that dates back to 1942.12. Ride the CTA Holiday Train

12. Ride the CTA Holiday Train

Santa makes it around the world in one night, but in Chicago, he takes public transit! The CTA Holiday Train brings the magic of Christmas to each CTA train line, complete with glowing lights, elves sharing candy canes, and the big man himself. See the CTA Holiday Train schedule, and don’t miss the CTA Holiday Bus!

13. Admire the Macy’s Window Displays

Marshall Field’s started featuring elaborate window displays to celebrate the Christmas season and entertain shoppers back in 1897. It may be called Macy’s now, but the State Street department store windows still stop shoppers in their tracks to admire its imaginative displays.

14. Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo – Through January 4

Lincoln Park Zoo is a beloved Chicago attraction all year long, but it really shines during the holiday season. ZooLights illuminates the grounds with more than one million sparkling lights and displays. Enjoy festive foods and drinks, live music, ice carving, and more holiday magic.

15. Get Christmas in Your Mouth at Butch McGuire’s

There is no shortage of holiday pop-ups (see the December list for more), but Butch McGuire’s has been decking out its Gold Coast bar with a mesmerizing display of Christmas decorations hanging from the ceiling since the 1960s. Where else can you watch a toy train chug by while taking a shot of the minty holiday treat called Christmas in Your Mouth?

16. Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden – Through January 4, 2026

Head to the Chicago Botanic Garden in suburban Glencoe for a festive light show like no other. Lightscape’s illuminated 1.3-mile path guides you through a series of bright installations like a 110-foot tunnel covered in 100,000 lights.

17. Sip Swedish Glögg at Simon’s Tavern

Andersonville is where Swedish traditions still thrive in Chicago, like making traditional mulled wine called glögg. While Simon’s Tavern has been a cozy neighborhood watering hole since 1934, it has been serving glögg with a ginger cookie during winter since 1994.

18. Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo – Through Jan. 4, 2026

Christmas cheer sparkles throughout the Brookfield Zoo in suburban Brookfield during Holiday Magic. You’ll find bright displays of two million glittering lights, a light maze, visits with Santa, ice carving, carolers, and more.

19. Chicago’s Christmas Tree in Millennium Park – Through January 11, 2026

Each year, Chicago displays its official Christmas tree in Millennium Park near Michigan Ave. and Washington St. This year’s tree is a 68-foot-tall Norway spruce donated from a family in Glenview that shines with almost eight miles of lights!

20. The Great Tree in the Walnut Room – Through January 12, 2026

Chicago’s other famous Christmas tree can be found in the Walnut Room restaurant inside the Macy’s department store on State Street. The 45-foot-tall tree hanging from the center of the dining room has been a tradition for more than a century, when the store was called Marshall Field’s. Snap a photo with the tree or admire it from your table, but be sure to book your reservation early, as they sell out during the holiday season.

Getting Around Chicago

Book your flight to O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway International Airport (MDW). Once you land, both airports have a CTA train to the Loop. It’s the easiest way to travel to downtown Chicago from both airports.

If you prefer being driven into the city, book an airport transfer. Most people in Chicago utilize public transit, but you can rent a car at either airport if needed.

Where to Stay in Chicago for Christmas

Wondering where to stay overnight in Chicago for the holidays? I love the views of Grant Park from the Blackstone Hotel and the iconic pool at the InterContinental. The Chicago Athletic Association has a rooftop fire pit and great views of Millennium Park’s Christmas tree, while the LondonHouse boasts beautiful views of the Chicago River from its rooftop bar. For more ideas, my December events in Chicago article includes holiday activities at many Chicago hotels.

Click here for a full list of Chicago hotels!

If you want to research hotels and vacation rentals for your Chicago visit, this map can help you compare the available options. It’s set to show hotels and rentals in downtown Chicago, but you can view any neighborhood where you’d like to stay.

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I hope this helps you get excited to enjoy everyone’s favorite Chicago Christmas events!