Christmas in Chicago: 2025 Family Events & Activities

As the City of Aurora's official kick-off to the holiday season, this free family-friendly event will be filled with merry-making moments and a sleigh full of fun for the entire family. Santa and Mrs. Claus will usher in the holiday season with an illuminated parade filled with reindeer, elves, special guests, and other holiday favorites! Following the Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead the crowd in a countdown to flip the magic switch and illuminate the City's holiday tree!

6pm

Create a magical memory this holiday season and take your family to see the North Shore School of Dance bring to life this wonderful tale of the Nutcracker Prince and the Mouse King. The performance takes place at Lake Forest Academy.

Come and see Lake County’s largest and most sumptuous performance of the holiday favorite, The Nutcracker. This grand performance is known for its inclusion of internationally renowned guest artists supported with over 100 performers. A short version, "Clara's Dream," will be performed for young audiences at Libertyville High School. Full-length shows will be performed at Libertyville High School and Genesee Theatre in Waukegan.

Experience this classic Christmas ballet with your whole family! The Nutcracker follows the story of Clara as her favorite toy, the nutcracker, comes to life on Christmas Eve. Experience the exquisite artistry of the international cast, performing at the highest level of classical technique.

This annual festival in downtown Chicago kicks off the holiday season in style with family activities throughout the day, including photos with Santa Claus. The main event is an epic tree-lighting parade down North Michigan Avenue, led by Grand Marshals Mickey & Minnie Mouse and featuring awesome floats, gigantic helium balloons, marching bands, musical performances, Santa Claus, and more, all helping to light up The Mag Mile with more than a million twinkling lights.

Enjoy this free dazzling display of holiday lights and sound as you stroll down Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the Riverwalk in Downtown Naperville! Visit Naper Lights to get your 3D Viewing glasses!

Enjoy ice skating and other holiday offerings leading up to the Park’s annual tree lighting event.

2-6pm

Come enjoy the magic of the holiday season as the Judith Svalander School of Ballet transforms the Opera House stage into a realm of fantasy.

Enjoy this family outdoor event at the Grant Park Recreation Center featuring Santa Claus, inflatables, holiday-themed crafts, family bingo, free hot dogs, and sleigh rides!

5-8pm

The Rialto Square Theatre is kicking off this holiday season with the family favorite, The Nutcracker. Their exquisite sets even include a Christmas tree that grows before your eyes!

2pm

This event takes place in conjunction with the Village of Lisle Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Enjoy a visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus in the depot, hot chocolate and hot apple cider, holiday crafts and a holiday workshop.

3-7pm

Gather with friends and loved ones in Orchestra Hall — decked with boughs of holly — for a program of familiar carols, holiday songs and festive surprises, including a rousing encore of the cherished local favorite Christmas in Chicago. Featuring members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Chorus in glorious arrangements conducted by Alastair Willis, the program is sure to inspire holiday cheer for all.

Charles Dickens’ enchanting tale of redemption and hope comes to life in Arlington Heights’ favorite holiday tradition. On a snowy Christmas Eve brimming with memorable characters, ghostly apparitions and splendid holiday music, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge visits the past, present, and future to discover the true meaning of Christmas.

Celebrate the Christmas season at the Old Town School of Folk Music with an evening of family-friendly Irish musical, vocal, and dance performances, featuring celebrated Irish artists. You can start off your evening by having a bite to eat at one of Lincoln Square's many great restaurants!

5pm & 7pm

Experience the winter season’s magic as Light Up The Lake returns to Navy Pier! Stroll through the free dazzling outdoor lights and race down the 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. Explore craft workshops, shop at local holiday artisan markets, and catch fireworks on Saturdays. Enjoy the exciting holiday-themed drone shows and a special meet and greet with Santa before his busy night begins!

Ballet Legere's annual production of the Nutcracker is sure to amaze all spectators, young and old! With dazzling special effects, a cast of 120 performers, and spectacular scenery and costumes, they deliver a unique show that will take you into the magic of the holiday season.

A classic holiday tradition with a Ballet 5:8 twist. Join Emma and Uncle Abrahms as they embark on a miraculous journey through time and discover what Christmas is all about.

Yoli B said:  I crave Christmas music this time of year and the Arlington Heights Concert Band perfectly satisfies that craving! This Christmas concert in the Chicago suburbs will have all of your holiday favorites and get you into the spirit of the season.

3pm

Have a holly jolly Christmas in downtown Geneva! Your whole family can enjoy free carriage rides every weekend in December leading up to Christmas as part of their annual Christmas Walk, with a slew of festive activities to kick off the holidays that first weekend in December.

10:30am-1:30pm

The Elgin Annual Holiday Tradition! Come experience this festive holiday performance including favorite carols, new spins on modern favorites, and an appearance by Santa Claus!

2:30pm

Find the most unusual and stylishly crafted mix of vintage and modern decorative objects, housewares, fashion for men/women/children, art, hostess gifts and more from 125 vendors! 

10am-5pm

A group of life-sized toys set out to save Christmas in this traveling children's theater show by AlphaBet Soup Productions.

Kick off the holidays at the Clark Street Cookie Crawl in Lincoln Park! Put on your coziest holiday pajamas or favorite holiday sweater and get set for a day filled with festive fun. Visit businesses along Clark Street to collect a variety of delicious holiday cookies. Enjoy surprises along the way including carolers, hot chocolate, and the chance to snap photos with Santa.

1-3:30pm

The Al Larson Prairie Center for the Arts presents the classic Nutcracker with the Schaumburg Dance Ensemble. The small theatre means there isn't a bad seat in the house, so it is ideal for the youngest performance enthusiasts!

This production of the classic Christmas tale is only one hour long, and perfect for children of all ages to enjoy! On select dates, you and your family are invited to have breakfast or dinner with Santa, too.

Festivities include holiday carolers and music, free hot cocoa, rickshaw rides, photos with Santa and more, along with a tree lighting at the Wicker Park Field House.

Abby Regan said:  The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce invites the community to kick-off the holiday season with a full-day of activities along Milwaukee Avenue on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Festivities include holiday carolers and music, free hot cocoa, rickshaw rides, photos with Santa and more, along with a tree lighting at the Wicker Park Field House.

If you are looking for a small-town holiday experience, the Village of Long Grove invites you to stroll around its quaint downtown area, which will be featuring horse-drawn carriage rides on the weekends, open houses and promotions by local merchants, and holiday caroling and Santa visits at set times throughout the season.

The Indiana Welcome Center features six animated displays depicting scenes from the holiday classic "A Christmas Story." The displays were first showcased in 2003 at Macy's in New York City. You can also have your picture taken with Santa and stop in the gift shop for "A Christmas Story" merchandise including your very own leg lamp souvenir!

This annual holiday tradition celebrates the magic of the season and the rich cultural heritage that makes Christmas in Chicago so special.

Inspired by the Christkindlmarket in Germany, Christkindlmarket is an enchanting holiday village and a beloved tradition during Christmas in Chicago. Enjoy a unique shopping experience featuring a variety of handmade and European goods. Vendors also serve roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, hot chocolate, and hot spiced wine. In addition to the classic downtown Chicago market, you'll also find Christkindlmarket in Aurora.

Dates & hours vary by location

Embrace the spirit and beauty of the season at Lightscape, setting the Garden aglow with light, music and art.

Holiday Magic is one of Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festivals, with over two million twinkling LED lights.  Explore the 300-foot light tunnels synchronized to seasonal sounds, the 16-foot-tall LED gingerbread house, the stunning illuminated Light Orb, and a 41-foot-tall tree adorned with colored LED lights choreographed to festive music.

From the comfort of your car, you'll be in awe as over 3 million lights synchronized to holiday music and dazzling displays, twinkle and dance. With lighted tunnels galore, and old-fashioned Christmas twinkle lights as far as you can see, you don't want to miss it! But it doesn't end there. At the end of the route, you can enjoy tube slide fun, an enchanted Christmas Village of family photo memories, funnel cakes, hot chocolate, and of course a meet and greet with Santa himself! Online reservations are required.

Your family can watch as Ebenezer Scrooge journeys through Christmas Eve to discover the true meaning of Christmas in the classic story, A Christmas Carol. The whole family will love the music and dance that bring this performance to life.

The magic and music of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince are as Christmas as mince meat pies and mistletoe. With captivating sets and mesmerizing dancers, the Salt Creek Ballet's rendition of the Nutcracker is sure to be a family favorite this holiday season. With shows running at three different venues, make sure to catch one of the performances.

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo is definitely one of the most popular things to do for Christmas in Chicago, with luminous displays and holiday activities throughout the zoo grounds. The Pepper Family Wildlife Center will transform into the North Pole, hosting visits with Santa alongside the zoo’s holiday tree and festive décor.

Santa and his elves will be at Blackberry Farm each weekend, collecting children’s wish lists at the Carriage Museum. There’s a sleigh full of other activities including holiday stories, crafts and treats.

This immersive experience at the Kohl Children's Museum allows kids to interact with light and color as they explore hues and patterns in this interactive holiday light installation. The light display is an indoor and outdoor experience, and includes admission to the museum's wonderful indoor exhibits as well.

Cosley Zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights, an amazing selection of Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery, and hot chocolate.

The Walnut Room is a classic Chicago destination. Located in Chicago's historic Marshall Fields on State Street (now Macy's), the Walnut room is known during the holidays for its spectacular décor and special holiday menu. Bring your little ones to enjoy a festive holiday lunch alongside the 45-foot Great Tree while enjoying the musical joy of the season. Reservations are required.

Kick off the holiday season by welcoming Santa as he makes his grand entrance by boat on the iconic Seadog, operated by City Cruises, before heading to Harry Caray’s Tavern for brunch, photo ops, and live music in the cozy setting of the Lakefront Lodge pop-up!

12pm