Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families

Christmas or Xmas, Hanukkah or Chanukah, there are plenty of ways for families to enjoy the season around Chicago.

Find fun holiday events, Christmas activities in Chicago, including Christmas lights, Hanukkah celebrations, polar express and Christmas trains, Santa visits, and more seasonal fun in our awesome Chicago Holidays Guide

pexels-josh-willink
Holiday Activities for Chicago Kids
Lightscapes is a beautiful holiday lights event near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Lightscapes
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago
Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
Pictures with Santa Claus in Chicago
Winterland photo courtesy of Gallagher Way
43 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Chicago for Kids
Cut your own tree this year at one of these Christmas tree farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Comstock Images
Top Christmas Tree Farms Near Chicago
There are many beautiful Christmas lights in Chicago neighborhoods. Photo courtesy of Lights on Easton
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Chicago
Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane
Breakfast with Santa in Chicago

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Christmas Crafts, Movies, & Cooking
Armed with our giant list of Christmas crafts, you'll keep kids busy until the New Year!
101 Christmas Crafts for Kids, Plus Christmas Games and More At-Home Activities
It's just not Christmas until you hear Mariah Carey's
50 Best Christmas Songs for Kids
We’ve tested out dozens of Christmas cookie recipes over the years, and these are the very best.
10 Best Christmas Cookie Recipes To Bake with Kids
Those eight crazy nights are approaching and we’ve got everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah with your family. Photo courtesy Cottonbro Studios
8 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah with Kids: Hanukkah Gifts, Fun Crafts, and a Little History
Christmas jokes for kids make the season a bit jollier all around!
25 Christmas Jokes for Kids and Holiday Riddles
The Furoshiki method is a practical way to wrap gifts using pieces of cloth. Photo courtesy of Invaluable
Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping Ideas Kids Can Do: Holiday and Christmas Gift Wrap with Less Waste

Latest Christmas/Hanukkah News

Uh-oh! The elf tangled up your tree lights! Photo by Mark Baylor, courtesy of Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
  VIDEO
50 Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2023: Easy To Set Up Tricks for Mischievous Elves
Simple but hilarious Elf on the Shelf shenanigans that will delight your kids.
READ MORE
Looking for pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season? We have a whole list. Photo courtesy of Gallagher Way Chicago
Pictures with Santa Claus in Chicago
Share a pizza, cookies, or just a photo with Santa!
READ MORE
Lightscapes is a beautiful holiday lights event near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Lightscapes
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago
Brighten up your holiday nights with a visit to one of these elaborate lights displays and...
READ MORE
Cut your own tree this year at one of these Christmas tree farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Comstock Images
Top Christmas Tree Farms Near Chicago
Grab some hot chocolate and create a special afternoon picking out your tree at one of these farms...
READ MORE
There are many beautiful Christmas lights in Chicago neighborhoods. Photo courtesy of Lights on Easton
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Chicago
Check out these neighborhoods near Chicago for the best lights displays in the area.
READ MORE
Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane
Breakfast with Santa in Chicago
Get your pancakes and Santa photo all in one.
READ MORE
Load more