Top Holiday Markets in Illinois

Find the perfect gift for anyone on your holiday shopping list when you shop at Christmas markets in Illinois, offering one-of-a-kind items in all shapes and sizes. 

Plus, you’ll support local and regional vendors by visiting these limited-time, pop-up experiences. While you’re holiday shopping, make time to see nearby notable landmarks and other destinations, or splurge and make it a weekend getaway! Another way to show your support for independent stores is to shop on Small Business Saturday over the Thanksgiving holiday.

While in town: Home to world-class museums, iconic landmarks and more, downtown Chicago does not disappoint. Stroll the Magnificent Mile, explore Millennium Park and the Museum Campus, home to Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, plus the nearby Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry.

For an even better view of the city, head to the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Building for TILT at 360 Chicago, where visitors who lean over the side are rewarded with sky-high views of the Magnificent Mile. At Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower, walk out onto the Ledge, 103 floors above the ground.

While in town: Downtown Belleville boasts one of the nation’s longest main streets. Here, you’ll find plenty of places to sip, shop and eat, plus the historic Lincoln Theatre, which shows first-run flicks. Open year-round, Eckert’s Belleville Farm is best known for its just-picked produce. In the off-season, visit the bakery and deli housed in the Country Store.

While in town: Little has changed since this tiny town (a village of 114 residents) was founded by Swedish immigrants in 1846. The entire town is only five blocks long and seven blocks wide. Within this area, you can visit the town’s seven museums, a dozen or so shops and galleries, and a few restaurants. Discover more about Bishop Hill here.

While in town: Along the Illinois River, Chillicothe has a small-town vibe with a bustling downtown and numerous stores selling antiques and repurposed and vintage goods. Options include Little Shop of Hoarders, The Mill, and Threadz by Sweet Finds. Indulge yourself at Triple Dipple’s Treats and Delicacies, known for its sweet tater cheesecake.

While in town: Collinsville lives up to the hype of larger-than-life roadside attractions found along Route 66 with the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, which also doubles as the town’s water tower. Once a newspaper building, the Old Herald Brewery and Distillery serves all the staples: soups, salads, wraps, burgers and entrees in generous portions.

While in town: See one of the largest crosses in the United States at the junction of Interstates 57 and 70. The Cross at the Crossroads is made of steel and stands almost 200 feet tall. Just a few miles north off of I-57, Firefly Grill grows most of the herbs and produce found on its farm-to-table menu. What they don’t grow, they source from local farmers, foragers and fishermen.

While in town: More than 125 independent shops, galleries, boutiques, restaurants and wineries line downtown, which sits along the Galena River and Grant Park, named for Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president who once called this home. Numerous hotels, resorts, inns and B&Bs welcome guests to stay and explore this charming town.

While in town: Lockport sits along the 100-mile I&M Canal, once a key waterway linking the Illinois River to Lake Michigan. Downtown’s Gaylord Building owes its striking appearance to limestone, an abundant resource that was dug up during the creation of the canal in the 1830s. The historic building is now home to Gallery Seven and the Public Landing Restaurant, known for its wet-aged steaks, fresh seafood and from-scratch desserts.

While in town: Wander the 80-plus-acre estate grounds at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, where more than 70 pieces of art call the Goldman-Kuenz Sculpture Park home. If you want to stretch your legs even more, head to the Wayne Fitzgerrell State Recreation Area on Rend Lake for its new 4-mile hiking and biking trail.

While in town: Nationally recognized gardens and museums dot this river-city community. Stroll through Anderson Japanese Gardens, Klehm Arboretum and Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens. Kids of all ages love to see Jane, a T-Rex at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, and busy their hands at the Discovery Center Museum.

While in town: The Land of Lincoln intersects with Route 66 in the state’s capital. Take a break after visiting historic sites like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site and the Old State Capitol to munch on the “original” corn dog on a stick at Cozy Dog Drive In. And while you're visiting the Fairgrounds, make sure to check out the new 66 Legends Neon Park experience.