Things to Do in Chicago at Christmas: A Festive Weekend Plan
Chicago knows how to do the holidays. The cold is real, but so is the glow: a German style market in the heart of the Loop, department store windows on State Street, wreaths on the Art Institute lions and a zoo covered in lights. A December weekend here feels like stepping into a holiday movie with a skyline.
Here are the best things to do in Chicago at Christmas, arranged as a simple two to three day plan you can adjust for your group.
Before you go
When to visit
The season starts around Thanksgiving, when the trees along Michigan Avenue light up, and runs through the end of December. Weekdays and early December weekends are calmer than the last weekend before Christmas. Many seasonal events set their dates and hours each year, so check current details before you lock in your plans.
Dress for the lake
Chicago in December is cold, and the wind off Lake Michigan makes it feel colder. Wear a warm coat, a hat, gloves and boots that can handle slush. Layers matter because you will move between icy sidewalks and warm museums all day.
Getting around
You do not need a car. The Blue Line runs from O'Hare into the Loop, and the Orange Line runs from Midway. Most of this plan is walkable from a hotel in the Loop or River North. For more ideas on where to stay and eat, see our Chicago weekend itinerary.
Day 1: The Loop in holiday mode
Morning: State Street and the Walnut Room
Start on State Street, where the big department store windows are part of the holiday tradition. Macy's on State Street is home to the Walnut Room, a grand dining room that has hosted holiday meals for generations. Each season a towering Great Tree stands in the middle of the room. Reservations go fast in December, so book early or plan an off hour visit.
Afternoon: Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Walk a few blocks to Daley Plaza for the Christkindlmarket, a holiday market modeled on the traditional markets of Germany. Wooden stalls sell ornaments, nutcrackers, candles and wool goods, and the food is the real draw: sausages, potato pancakes, pretzels, strudel and roasted nuts. Mulled wine and hot cocoa are served in collectible mugs, and plenty of visitors take one home each year.
The market gets crowded on weekend evenings. Go in the early afternoon for easier browsing, then come back after dark if you want to see the stalls lit up.
Evening: Millennium Park and skating
As the sun sets, head to Millennium Park. The city's official Christmas tree stands in the park, and Cloud Gate reflects the skyline and the holiday lights. Next door, the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon winds through the park like an icy path, with skyline views on every turn. Check current skating hours and rental details before you go.
Finish the night with deep dish pizza. It is the perfect cold weather dinner, and a classic for a reason.
Day 2: Museums, lights and the zoo
Morning: The Art Institute
Each holiday season, the two bronze lions outside the Art Institute of Chicago wear giant wreaths. Snap a photo on the steps, then spend the morning inside one of the great art museums in the country. Highlights include Grant Wood's American Gothic, Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte and the Thorne Miniature Rooms, which are a favorite with kids.
Afternoon: Christmas Around the World
Take a ride down to Hyde Park for the Museum of Science and Industry. Its Christmas Around the World exhibit is a Chicago tradition going back to the 1940s, with dozens of trees decorated to honor holiday customs from cultures around the globe. The museum is huge, so pick a few other exhibits rather than trying to see everything.
Evening: ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Lincoln Park Zoo turns into ZooLights for the holiday season, with paths covered in light displays, music and warm drinks. It is one of the most loved holiday events in the city and a great pick for families. Ticket and timing details can change from year to year, so check the zoo's website before you go.
If you have energy left, walk over to the Lincoln Park neighborhood for dinner and a warm drink.
Day 3: Pick your favorite
If you have a third day, choose the holiday experience that fits your group best.
A holiday show
Two Chicago classics return most seasons. The Goodman Theatre has staged A Christmas Carol for decades, and the Joffrey Ballet performs its own version of The Nutcracker set in Chicago. Both sell out on popular dates, so buy tickets early.
Conservatory warmth
Garfield Park Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory are warm, green escapes from the cold, and both often host seasonal flower displays in winter. A morning surrounded by palms and ferns is a nice break from the wind.
Lights in the suburbs
If you have a car, the Morton Arboretum in Lisle hosts Illumination, a nighttime walk through trees lit in color. It is about an hour west of downtown depending on traffic, so plan an early dinner nearby.
The CTA Holiday Train
In December, the CTA runs a Holiday Train decorated with lights, with Santa riding along on an open flatcar. It runs on different lines on different days, so check the CTA schedule if you want to catch it.
Tips for a smooth holiday weekend
- Book the big three early. The Walnut Room, holiday shows and timed events fill up first.
- Plan by neighborhood. Group the Loop sights on one day and the North Side sights on another to cut down on travel.
- Warm up on purpose. Build a museum, a cafe or a conservatory into every afternoon.
- Go early to the market. Weekday afternoons at the Christkindlmarket are much calmer than Saturday nights.
- Carry a small bag. You will collect mugs, ornaments and leftovers, and a tote makes the train ride easier.
Planning your Chicago Christmas trip in Wander Off
Create an adventure for your Chicago weekend and invite everyone coming along. Add the market, the Walnut Room, ZooLights and your dinner spots to the Plan tab by day, and let the group vote on which show or extra outing makes the cut. Our group trip planner guide has tips for keeping everyone on the same page. Book flights, hotels and things to do in the Tickets tab, and every photo from the trip lands on the right day and place, building a shared travel photo album for the group. When you get home, make the adventure public so friends can copy your holiday weekend for their own dates.
