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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Chicago: Thanksgiving Parade, Turkey Trots, Christmas Shows

Don't miss the Holiday Light Parade this Thanksgiving weekend. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Naperville
Don't miss the Holiday Light Parade this Thanksgiving weekend. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Naperville
11/21/23 - By Maureen Wilkey

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this Thanksgiving weekend 2023? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving Day weekend.

Gobble up some activities along with your turkey this Thanksgiving weekend! There are plenty of things to do in Chicago this Thanksgiving weekend to kick off the holiday season. Check out the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade along State Street or try a new parade in Orland Park. Get outside to move around before or after turkey dinner at a Turkey Trot in Grant Park or Beverly. The first performances of A Chistmas Carol are scheduled for this weekend at The Goodman Theater downtown, while The Nutcracker is playing in Hinsdale.

The weather is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so take a trip out to one of our favorite Christmas tree farms to get yours. Or plan a skating trip to one of our favorite outdoor rinks. Plan out one of your December weekends to include a showing of The Nutcracker or a ride on the CTA Holiday Train.

Let's all give thanks for our wonderful kiddos as we enter this holiday season together!

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Thanksgiving Day Parade this weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thanksgiving Day Parade this weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade

Things To Do Thanksgiving Weekend in Chicago

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Downtown
Thursday, November 28
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

Grant Park Turkey Trot

Downtown
Thursday, November 28
Run through Grant Park and along Lake Michigan at this annual Thanksgiving 5k, 10k and kids' dash. Participants receive a cider or beer at the finish line. Families can also create a team to participate in The Thankful Turkey 5K and enter to win a prize for the best team name. READ MORE

Light Up the Lake

Downtown
Opens Friday, November 29
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

Jurassic Quest at the Rosemont Convention Center

Rosemont
Friday, November 29-Sunday, December 1
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center hosts Jurassic Quest, a dinosaur adventure for the whole family, featuring an exhibit with realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs and rides, realistic scenes, crafts, coloring stations, an excavation station, face painting, bounce houses, and more.  READ MORE

A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater

Downtown
Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30
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

Kohlights

Glenview
Opens Friday, November 29
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

Glen Ellyn Holiday Walk and Tree Lighting

Glen Ellyn
Friday, November 29
Glen Ellyn merchants will show off their decorated storefronts as shoppers walk through the downtown area. Santa will light the downtown Glen Ellyn Christmas tree at 6:00 p.m. Pictures with Santa at the firehouse will follow. READ MORE

Annual Turkey Trot Walk

River Forest
Friday, November 29
Walk off the turkey and stuffing at this annual post-holiday hike at Trailside Museum of Natural History. The whole family is welcome! READ MORE

Happy Holiday Railway

Union
Opens Friday, November 29
Enjoy a 40-minute train ride with a visit from Santa from the Illinois Railway Museum. The train ride includes hot chocolate, treats and gifts, and kids can see an amazing light display inside the museum. READ MORE

2024 Holiday Parade of Lights Naperville

Naperville
Friday, November 29
Watch as twinkling floats and vehicles travel through downtown Naperville at this annual parade sponsored by the Naperville Rotary Club. Santa will appear at the end of the parade and be on hand at the Naperville Public Library to visit with kids after the parade. READ MORE

Vienna Boys Choir: Christmas in Vienna

Downtown
Saturday, November 30
The Vienna Boys Choir visits the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to perform Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, and Yuletide favorites. The choir builds on its 500 year history of vibrant singing.  READ MORE

Elk Grove Village Holiday Tree Lighting & Firework Display

Elk Grove Village Friday, November 29
Elk Grove Village's Mayor will flip the switch to turn on more than 250,000 lights on the village Christmas tree, municipal complex, library, and park district pavilion. Families can also enjoy refreshments, a holiday concert from the Lovin' Spoonful, and fireworks. READ MORE

The Nutcracker Performed by Salt Creek Ballet at Hinsdale Central

Hinsdale
Saturday, November 30- Sunday, December 1
Salt Creek Ballet performs the holiday classic The Nutcracker at locations throughout Chicago, including matinee and evening shows at Hinsdale Central. The ballet takes audiences through a world of toys that come alive, dancing snowflakes, and waltzing flowers. Kids can enjoy a Sugar Plum Party after the Sunday show, giving them a chance to step onstage, meet the cast, and enjoy refreshments in the winter wonderland. READ MORE

Beverly Hills Turkey Trot

Beverly
Saturday, November 30
This 13th annual Turkey Trot leads families through 5 kilometers of the North Beverly neighborhood. Participate as an individual or as a team, and join other racers for a pancake breakfast in the gym of Christ the King for $5 after the run. READ MORE

Rialto Square Theater Holiday Movies

Joliet
Saturday, November 30
Rialto Square Theater shows classic Christmas movies for families to enjoy together. Read the whole movie schedule below. READ MORE

Holly Jolly Fest Niles

Niles
Saturday, November 30
Start the holiday season with hot chocolate, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a PACE trolley, and fire pits to make s'mores at the Village of Niles Civic Center. A snow-globe photo booth and live entertainment round out the fun. Foods and beverages from local restaurants will be available for purchase and the village Christmas tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m. READ MORE

ANNIE at the Chicago Theatre

Downtown
Closes December 1
The iconic Tony Award-winning musical returns to Chicago this holiday season with a limited three-week engagement at The Chicago Theatre. ANNIE is a heartwarming musical that for generations has reminded audiences that “the sun will come out tomorrow.” And now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production that celebrates family, optimism, and the American spirit as the ultimate cure for the hard knocks life throws your way.  READ MORE

Filament Theatre's FORTS: Build Your Own Adventure

Portage Park
Opens Saturday, November 30
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

Brunch with Santa at Impact Field

Rosemont
Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1
Create unforgettable memories with family and friends at Impact Field this holiday season. Enjoy an all-inclusive brunch, with bottomless mimosas, in the Rivers Stadium Club.  Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and create a stocking with your family to take home and hang on the fireplace. READ MORE

Orland Park Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting

Orland Park
Sunday, December 1
Orland Park's holiday parade will culminate in the lighting of the village Christmas tree! Live entertainment, reindeer and pictures with Santa will join the holiday market at Orland Park Civic Center. READ MORE
'Tis the season to hit the Chicago skating rinks. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
'Tis the season to hit the Chicago skating rinks. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

More Things To Do in Chicago this Season

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids in Chicago

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Top Christmas Tree Farms Near Chicago

Grab some hot chocolate and create a special afternoon picking out your tree at one of these farms near Chicago. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Trailside Museum of Natural History
Illinois Railway Museum
Elk Grove Town Center Village Green
Village of Niles Civic Center
Richardson Christmas Tree Farm