Chicago transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season and hosts magical events for the whole family to enjoy. Explore unforgettable kid-friendly activities, such as holiday light shows and Santa meet and greets, that will make for memories to last a lifetime. Afterall, the holiday season is the best in the middle of the Midwest!
Chicago’s Christmas Events for Families
Wintrust Magnificent Lights Festival
This festive evening parade is led by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and features decorated floats with tons of other popular characters. Earlier in the day, families can attend the Lights Festival Lane where there will be balloon twisting, photos with Santa, and more. (November 23rd)
Holiday Afternoon Tea at The Drake
Many children dream of having a real-life tea party and at The Drake families can enjoy tea and bite-sized tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries (perfect for kids). Live carolers will also be performing on select days and admission for children under 12 is discounted at $35. (Beginning November 7th)
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party
In this interactive trunk and puppet show, four adorable Beatrix Potter favorites come to life while recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. After the show, children can go to the lobby and play with puppets, take photos with the cast, and delight in a spread of holiday treats. This holiday family tradition is recommended for children ages 8 and up. (Opens November 23rd)
Home for the Holidays Oak Park
Families can get into the holiday spirit at this event that features horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, and free hot cocoa at participating businesses in the area.
Best Light Shows for Children
Light Up The Lake
Kids will never run out of things to do at this popular annual winter event. Light Up The Lake has free craft workshops on Sundays, where kids can explore their creativity and create popsicle stick sleighs, bag puppets, and more. Santa also comes to do meet and greets here before his busy night begins on Christmas Eve, so your kids can get the chance to tell him what’s on their Christmas list.
Lincoln Park ZooLights
Lincoln Park ZooLights offers a variety of kid-friendly activities among the festive lights including cookie decorating workshops, holiday carousels, and photos with Santa. For a calmer experience, they also offer a sensory night where all the blinking lights will remain static and the music will be turned down or off.
Lightscapes at Chicago Botanic Garden
This is the ultimate sensory experience for children where they can walk a trail featuring dazzling light up structures, movements, shapes, colors, and festive holiday sounds. Admission for children under 2 is free and children under 12 get a discount as well.
Chicago’s Family Holiday Activities
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Children can experience the Christkindlmarket in an engaging way by picking up a Kinder Club passport with riddles and on-site activities. There will also be a lantern parade where families can pick up lanterns, goodie bags, and stroll through the market while singing Christmas carols.
McCormick Park Ice Rink
Millennium Park has free ice skating lessons at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink for kids and they also provide penguin shaped skating aids that provide a cute friend for stability to skate along the ice with.
Christmas Around the World and Holiday Lights at The Museum of Science and Industry
Families can teach their children about the different ways that people celebrate the holidays across the globe in this interactive museum walkthrough for an educating and entertaining experience. The display features lots of enchanting Christmas tree forests and tickets for children under 11 are only $15.
Lunch at The American Girl Place
The American Girl Place is the perfect spot to celebrate the holidays with children. Kids can pick out holiday outfits for their dolls, as well as get their hair done alongside them at the salon. The store also hosts holiday events such as holiday cookie decorating and holiday tea parties on various dates in December.
Christmas Tree Hunt Down Michigan Avenue
Michigan Avenue is home to a bunch of big trees that can be spotted at Millenium Park, The Tribune Building, and more. Start with the City of Chicago tree lighting on November 22nd, then take an adventure and see how many your family can spot!
Enjoy Illinois Inspiration Guide
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