Illuminarium Winterland at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Fever Productions
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State parks near Chicago offer more than just hiking. Photo courtesy of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders
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The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck
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Free activities for kids in Chicago include the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is always free. Photo courtesy of the museum via Facebook
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Illuminarium Winterland at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Fever Productions
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Illuminarium at Winterland, photo courtesy of Navy Pier.
Illuminarium at Winterland, photo courtesy of Navy Pier.
12/13/24 - By Siobhan Adcock

Looking for things to do over Christmas vacation in Chicago? We've got you covered with holiday and Christmas break activities.

Chicago public schools are closed for two whole weeks from December 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Chicago with kids during holiday break, and they're all events and activities that keep kids active, engaged, and happy—not just busy. The Harlem Globetrotters visit, there's a Winter Solstice celebration, and loads of FREE activities for Chicago kids.

Keep an eye on our event calendar for fresh ideas every day. In case of emergency, break the glass and start working your way down this list of snowy day boredom busters.

Until January 6, parents: Stay strong. You can do this!

Sign up for our free newsletters to get local events and picks delivered straight to your inbox.

 

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Walk amid thousands of outdoor lights at Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of the event
Walk amid thousands of outdoor lights at Illumination: Tree Lights at Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of the event

Best Things to Do with Kids Over Christmas Vacation in Chicago 2024

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park
Daily through January 5; FREE on Mondays
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo has been a favorite holiday event for more than 30 years, with light displays and seasonal activities throughout the zoo. The event is free on Monday evenings, and $7 most other weekdays, and $10 on weekends and premium dates. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Brookfield
December 21-23 and December 26-31
Featuring more than a million LED lights, a 41-foot talking Christmas tree, and a 600-foot tunnel of lights with coordinating music, Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic highlights the holidays and loads of animals. READ MORE

Illumination: Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum

Lisle
Tuesdays through Sundays through January 4
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

Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden

Glencoe
Tuesdays through Sundays through January 5
Go for a stroll down a mile-long path filled with holiday wonder at the Chicago Botanic Garden. READ MORE

Light Up the Lake

Downtown
Daily through December 31
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

Holiday Bricktacular at LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Schaumburg
Daily through January 1
Children can enjoy special holiday activities including taking pictures in a life-size sleigh built entirely of LEGOs, exploring holiday scenes in LEGO MINILAND, and finding all the LEGO presents throughout the center to win a prize. Tag all photos from the event with #Bricktacular. READ MORE

Winter Break Roller Skating at MLK Skating and Family Entertainment Center

South Side
December 20- January 5
Skate or bowl with special and character parties every day during winter break at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Family Entertainment Center. The Grinch, Santa, Minions, Olaf, Stitch, and more will be featured. READ MORE

Winter Solstice Day

River Forest
Saturday, December 21
Presented with American Indian Center, learn about the Winter Solstice through indigenous storytelling & songs. Snowshoeing (condition permitting), tracking, shelter building and other winter-related activities will be offered. READ MORE

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins

Downtown
December 21-22, 28-29 and January 4-5
Let the Strawdog Theatre Company take your family on a Hanukkah adventure with characters such as Herschel of Ostropool and the goblins who are haunting a village. READ MORE

Winterland: An Immersive Holiday Experience

Navy Pier
Daily through January 5
Visit a whimsical holiday wonderland filled with sparkling lights, joyful activities, and cherished memories waiting to be made. This immersive experience at Navy Pier includes a family creative station to write letters to Santa, a soft play area for young children, a winter locomotive train display, an immersive 360 degree festival theater, and giant Christmas trees in a winter forest. READ MORE

Harlem Globetrotters in Chicago

West Loop
Thursday, December 26
You'll love the dunks, alley-oops, looooong shots, magic, history and laughs! Don’t miss your chance to see what fans love about the Harlem Globetrotters plus more as the world-famous Globetrotters level-up every game with all-new, exciting challenges in 2025! NEW year, NEW global tour, NEW challenges! Same Globetrotters you LOVE!   READ MORE

Bronzeville Children's Museum Kwanzaa Celebration

Bronzeville
Thursday, December 26
Visit Bronzeville Children's Museum to celebrate Kwanzaa by honoring culture and traditions! This event includes story telling, crafts , music, singing, face painting and a visit from Bronzeville Children's Museum's Kwanzaa King. READ MORE

Mr. Dave’s NYE Baby Rave: Countdown to Noon

Lincoln Park
Tuesday, December 31
Little rock stars can count down to the new year early at Schuba's Lincoln Hall. Mr. Dave and DJ Matt Roan play a set through vibrant realms of music, color, and movement. Complete with glow sticks, beach balls, obnoxious light-up rave accessories (ahem, adult beverages), and a countdown to noon—this action-packed family show will not disappoint! READ MORE

DuPage Children's Museum Bubble Bash

Naperville
Tuesday, December 31
Kids can ring in the new year with their choice of bubbles, confetti, a music launch, or a quiet countdown at the DuPage Children's Museum's annual year-end celebration. Kids can enjoy creating wearable art, DIY confetti poppers, or 2D or 3D bubble wands. They can also visit Sensoryland, take part in a fluorescent adventure, or visit the photo booth. READ MORE

The Little Mermaid at Drury Lane Theater

Oak Brook
Wednesdays through Sundays through January 12
Experience the classic Disney tale of Ariel, the little mermaid with the big voice and the desire to be part of your world, at this mainstage production at Drury Lane Theater. The show includes favorite songs like “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World,” and “Kiss the Girl." READ MORE

Filament Theatre's FORTS: Build Your Own Adventure

Portage Park
Saturdays and Sundays through January 5, plus December 31 and January 1-3
Chicago’s Filament Theatre returns with its hit immersive play experience for families FORTS: Build Your Own Adventure, in which Filament transforms into a play space for children and parents to build new worlds using cardboard boxes, sheets, clotheslines and more, November 30, 204 – January 5, 2025.  This production kick off Filament’s 17th Anniversary of creating work for, by, and with young audiences. READ MORE

Blue Man Group Chicago’s New Year's Eve Performances

Lakeview
Tuesday, December 31
Blue Man Group invites guests to celebrate the New Year with festive New Year’s Eve performances Sunday, December 31 at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, and 10pm.at the Briar Street Theatre (3133 N. Halsted). Families with young children can take advantage of Blue Man Group’s performances at 1 and 4pm. These shows feature early “midnight” countdowns after the show, complete with party hats, noisemakers, and a special performance of Auld Lang Syne by the Blue Men. READ MORE

Little Miss Ann Family Music Concert at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Lincoln Park
Friday, January 3
Bring your kids to the Winter Break Little Miss Ann Family Music Concert at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum! Ann and fiddler Anna Jacobson will play upbeat, interactive, joyful songs that your family will sing, jump, and dance along to! READ MORE

Millennium Park McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

Downtown
Daily throughout winter break
Families can enjoy free ice staking at Millennium Park throughout the winter season. Free lessons are also available most Saturdays at 9 a.m. Please reserve a 90-minute ice time session in advance at https://millenniumparkiceskating.showare.com/ READ MORE

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