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The Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
The Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
11/8/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for holiday activities near Chicago this holiday season 2024? We've got you covered.

The holiday season brings plenty of good cheer, impressive theater and shows, and other holiday and Christmas events near Chicago. Families can celebrate the season from all corners of the city—there are more light shows in Chicago than ever before, with the return of perennial favorites like the Morton Arboretum's Illuminations and Chicago Botanic Garden's Lightscape. Take in a holiday show—families can see "A Christmas Carol" at the Goodman Theater, "The Nutcracker" at the Joffrey Ballet.

To take a break from all of the iconic holiday activities and Christmas events in Chicago, don't forget to take part in one of our favorite holiday volunteering activities, or get out of town to one of the best Christmas towns in the Midwest. For more holiday and Christmas events near Chicago, check out our Chicago Holiday Fun Guide.

See Ruth Page's version of The Nutcracker Ballet. Photo courtesy of the Ruth Page Civic Ballet
See Ruth Page's version of The Nutcracker Ballet. Photo courtesy of the Ruth Page Civic Ballet

Best Holiday and Christmas Events Near Chicago: North Side

Ruth Page's "The Nutcracker"

Grayslake, North Park, and University Park
November 23-24, December 2-3, and December 21-22, 2024
Ruth Page is an icon in Chicago dance history. Bring your family to see this version of the Nutcracker choreographed by Ruth Page herself. International guest artists, as well as an elite company, bring you this beloved holiday tradition in its original full-length staging. Watch the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets come to life through dancing, costumes, and magical settings. READ MORE

Christmas Sing-along and Double Feature at the Music Box

Lakeview
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, December 7- December 24, 2024
Bring your family to see two holiday classics and sing holiday carols with Santa during intermission. Enjoy the double feature of It's a Wonderful Life and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Santa will be accompanied by the Music Box organist while the lyrics are projected on the screen for everyone to join in the fun. READ MORE

Chris White Trio Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas

Lincoln Park
Sunday, December 8, 2024
The Chris White Trio plays a jazzy version of Vince Guaraldi’s 1965 A Charlie Brown Christmas. Guests of all ages can tap their toes and sing along. READ MORE
Have some wintery fun at Light Up the Lake. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Have some wintery fun at Light Up the Lake. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Best Holiday and Christmas Events in Downtown Chicago and the South Side

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Hyde Park
November 16, 2024 - January 5, 2025
The Museum of Science and Industry hosts its dazzling annual Christmas tree exhibit, where guests can enjoy decorated trees inspired by customs and cultures from countries all around the world.  READ MORE

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Downtown
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Chicago's Thanksgiving Parade will have the theme of "Where Grateful Hearts Gather." Families can watch as floats, bands, and dignitaries travel along State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street. READ MORE

111th Annual Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

Downtown
Friday, November 22, 2024
Chicagoans of all ages can enjoy the annual lighting of the Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park in this event. The event will also include fireworks and many musical and theatrical performances. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater

Downtown
November 16- November 29, 2024
Charles Dickens's holiday classic is brought to life at this annual play at the Goodman Theater. Nearly two million people have seen the show, which is now in its fifth decade. READ MORE

Light Up the Lake

Downtown
November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Enjoy an indoor winter wonderland at Navy Pier, complete with indoor light sculpture displays, ice skating, and visits with Santa. Guests can also enjoy Santa's Merry Main Street gift market and ride the iconic Navy Pier Ferris wheel. Roast marshmallows for s'mores around a fire pit or make someone a gift at a holiday workshop. New in 2024 are drone shows lighting up the sky over Lake Michigan and a two-story ice slide. READ MORE

Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along

Downtown
December 6, 13, and 20, 2024
Sing together with other Chicagoans in this multi-cultural holiday event. A different performer will lead the sing-along each week at the Cloudgate sculpture. Songbooks will be distributed so participants can sing along. READ MORE

The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party

West Loop
Saturdays and Sundays, Novemer 23- December 29, 2024
Four adorable Beatrix Potter favorites come to life in this mesmerizing, interactive trunk and puppet show, complete with original music. Storytellers weave Potter’s classic narration with gentle interactive moments, recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. After the show, head to the lobby to play with the puppets, take pictures with the cast, and join fellow Chicago families for a communal tea party featuring a festive spread of holiday treats! READ MORE

Mrs Claus! A Holiday Musical at the Beverly Arts Center

Beverly
November 22- December 22, 2024
Chicago Kids Company’s holiday classic celebrates the 25th year of MRS. CLAUS! A HOLIDAY MUSICAL. This show is so popular that we decided to present it in TWO different theaters in December 2024. Get your tickets early…many shows sell out! READ MORE

Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration

Hyde Park
Saturday, December 7, 2024
The Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration is back for 2024! The event is presented by the University of Chicago in partnership with Downtown Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, and the South East Chicago Commission. Lots of free events are planned, including an ice carving demonstration, self-guided ice sculpture stroll, free photos with Soul Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday crafts, costumed characters, and dance performances.    READ MORE

The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker

Downtown
Thursdays through Sundays, December 6-28, 2024
The Joffrey Ballet presents its annual production of The Nutcracker. This classic ballet has been reimagined for a modern audience and set in Chicago at the 1893 World's Fair, where Marie and her mother, a sculptress creating the fair’s iconic Statue of the Republic, partake in a festive celebration with a surprise visit from the mysterious Great Impresario. READ MORE
Lightscape photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden
Lightscape photo courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Best Christmas and Holiday Activities Near Chicago: Northern Suburbs

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Glencoe
November 15- December 31, 2024
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. READ MORE

Kohlights

Glenview
Fridays and Saturdays, November 29- December 22, 2024
Kids can walk through a unique light display with a learning glow stick that controls and changes the lights, providing a different experience every time. Visit the pixel play meadow, rainbow arbor, color play tree, rainbow caterpillar, color walk, and rainbow art installation. READ MORE

Evanston Children's Choir Holiday Concert

Evanston
December 14, 2024
The Evanston Children's Choir will celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the resilience of the human spirit. Join the ECC Concert Choir, Youth Chorale Pops and our Pope John XXIII School Choir for this free event. READ MORE

Duke It Out! Nutcracker

Evanston
December 7, 2024
The Music Institute of Chicago brings back a holiday tradition with “Duke It Out!,” featuring the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn) versions of The Nutcracker in a music and dance performance.  READ MORE
Illuminations: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of mortonarb.org
Illuminations: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of mortonarb.org

Best Holiday Activities Near Chicago: Western Suburbs

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

Lisle
November 16, 2024 -January 4, 2025
Visitors walk a one-mile path with thousands of lights in displays illuminating the trees, accompanied by music. An awe-inspiring display illuminates the new Grand Garden. Visitors can enjoy some old favorites and new displays. Stop along the way to roast s'mores around a campfire or drink a hot beverage from concession stands.  READ MORE

Reindeer Run

Brookfield
November 16, 2024
Run with the animals at Brookfield Zoo's annual Reindeer Run. The course is entirely within the zoo and allows runners to be the first to see the Holiday Magic lights. Music, drinks, food and animal ambassadors will be on hand after the run. READ MORE

Winter Lights at Central Park

Oak Brook
November 22, 2024 -January 5, 2025
Winter lights adorn a half-mile path in Oak Brook's Central Park, and are lit each night through January 5 for families to enjoy. Photo opportunities abound throughout the park. READ MORE

Oak Park Winterfest and Cookie Walk

Oak Park
December 7, 2024
Families can purchase a cookie tin for $26 and visit up to 25 merchants in downtown Oak Park to have it filled with cookies. Each business will provide an individually wrapped cookie. Santa Claus will be on hand for visits, and children can warm up with a hot chocolate at the hospitality tent at Marion and Lake Street. Carolers and choirs will provide entertainment along the way. Enjoy a free holiday movie at the Lake Theater READ MORE
The Holiday Movie line-up at the Rialto Square Theater includes The Polar Express. Movie poster courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment
The Holiday Movie line-up at the Rialto Square Theater includes The Polar Express. Movie poster courtesy of Castle Rock Entertainment

Kid-Friendly Holiday Activities in Chicago: South and Southwest Suburbs

Mokena Parade of Lights

Mokena
Saturday, November 23, 2024
See the Village of Mokena lit up for the holidays as local business show off their best lighted floats at this annual parade. Vehicles and costumed characters will parade down Front Street before the village Christmas tree is lit. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the parade's finale! READ MORE

CASA Christmas Express

New Lenox
December 7-8, 2024
Ride the Polar Express from New Lenox to Tinley Park, where families can enjoy breakfast or lunch at Harald Viking Lodge. The event includes visits and photos with Santa, holiday cookies, activities throughout the day, and goody bags and souvenirs for children. Proceeds benefit Will and Grundy County children experiencing abuse or neglect. READ MORE

Tinley Park Parade of Lights

Tinley Park
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Festive floats, local businesses, community groups and school bands will march down Oak Park Avenue from 175th Street to the Subway parking lot. Special guests from the North Pole will make an appearance. READ MORE

Rialto Square Theater Holiday Movies

Joliet
November 20 and 30, December 10 and 21, 2024
Rialto Square Theater shows classic Christmas movies for families to enjoy together. Read the whole movie schedule below. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts
The Morton Arboretum