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Hanukkah, St. Lucia, and More Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids

Celebrate Hanukkah with a fun play. Photo courtesy of Straw Dog Theatre
Celebrate Hanukkah with a fun play. Photo courtesy of Straw Dog Theatre
12/10/25 - By Maureen Wilkey

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

The holidays of light are kicking off this weekend! St. Lucia Day is Saturday, and of course you can celebrate in Andersonville. And eight nights of Hanukkah kick off on Sunday. You can honor this holiday with a showing of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins in Rogers Park or a menorah lighting in Wilmette. Families can also commemorate the abscence of light with a winter solstice festival at North Park Village Nature Center. If you want to see Second City's new holiday favorite Rudolph Runs Wild... before Christmas, this weekend is your last chance. Next weekend's shows are sold out!

Looking for a way out of hosting Christmas dinner? Check out one of our favorite family-friendly restaurants open on December 25. This is the first time there's been this much snow in December in our kids' lifetimes, so take advantage of it by doing some of the activities on our Winter Bucket List and checking out our Best Sledding Hills. 

 And want to keep the kids entertained without breaking the bank? Don’t forget to look for the deals link at the top of the calendar to filter for special offers and the free filter to see only free activities!

More Things To Do in Chicago This Week With Kids

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Best Things To Do This Weekend in Chicago With Kids

Evanston Children's Choir Holiday Concert

Evanston
Friday, December 12
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

Mrs. Claus! A Holiday Musical at Stahl Family Theatre

Belmont Cragin
Opens Thursday, December 11
Chicago Kids Company’s Holiday Classic returns for the 26th Year!  Our biggest and most colorful show will put you in the Holiday Spirit in no time.  Join the new Elf Class of 2025 as they try to find the missing “list” in time for Christmas. READ MORE

Passport to Santa

Downtown
Saturday, December 13- Sunday, December 14
Passport to Santa is an interactive holiday adventure that sends children on a journey to the North Pole. Along the way, they can sign the Naughty or Nice List with Mrs. Claus, build toys in Santa’s Workshop, train with Rudolph, race in the Gingerbread Tower Challenge, test their strength in Nutcracker Kingdom, dunk the Grinch, and write wishes with the Christmas Angel. READ MORE

Santa at the Driehaus Museum

Gold Coast
Saturday, December 13
The Driehaus Museum hosts visits with Santa so kids can tell him if they are naughty or nice and take a selfie. New for this year! A professional photographer will be present to take your digital photo with Santa! In addition, on December 6th, families can explore our Drie-cember Market featuring seasonal treats, unique gifts, and festive kids’ activities. On December 13th, enjoy holiday music performed by talented students from Music Institute of Chicago from 9:30-11:30am. Tickets are required and are sold in 15 minute increments. READ MORE

St. Lucia Celebration

Andersonville
Saturday, December 13
Follow the Swedish tradition of St. Lucia with Lucias from Swedish organizations throughout Chicagoland as they perform a candlelit procession from the temporary location of the Nordic House at the Wrigley Building to the Swedish American Museum to Andersonville Winter Market. The Lucia candidates will also perform at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. READ MORE

Winter Solstice Festival at North Park Village

North Park- FREE
Saturday, December 13
Welcome winter at North Park Village Nature Center. Enjoy star gazing, a bonfire, nature walks, tasting chestnuts and more. After, warm up inside with The Emily Kuhn Quintet and a festive bird craft sponsored by Chicago Bird Alliance. READ MORE

Rudolph Runs Wild...

Old Town
Saturday, December 13- Sunday, December 14
Share silliness this holiday season with Rudolph Runs Wild… a jolly extravaganza for kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and reindeer of all ages! Featuring a fun and festive blend of family-friendly songs and sketches from The Second City’s rich comedy archives, fresh new material written specifically for young audiences, and – of course – the ridiculous improv hijinks The Second City is world famous for. Brighten your winter with this one-of-a-kind interactive theatrical experience offering audience members, young and old, the chance to enjoy the comedy fun both from their... READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at The Community House Hinsdale

Hinsdale
Saturday, December 13
Eat breakfast and meet Santa! The buffet will include scrambled eggs, French toast, hash browns, pancakes, danish, juice, and coffee. Dress for a picture with St. Nicholas. READ MORE

Frosty Fest

Wheaton- FREE
Saturday, December 13
Unwrap holiday magic with Elsa, Olaf, the Grinch and more! Strolling carolers, complimentary hot cocoa, and giveaways round out the fun.   READ MORE

Movie with Santa at Hollywood Boulevard

Woodridge
Saturday, December 13
Families can enjoy a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!​ with Santa Claus. Kids can write a letter to Santa and receive a response, enjoy holiday decorations, and have a professional photo taken with Santa. READ MORE

The Cozy Cabin Tales

North Center
Opens Saturday, December 13
Theatre for Young Audiences @ Corn presents its newest show, perfect for young ones and the entire family!​ The Cozy Cabin Tales is a series of wintry fables and folktales, as told by a group of friends waiting out a snowstorm in their cabin with only a small fire to keep them warm. To pass the time, they bring their fantastical tales to life, while learning some real-life lessons along the way. Pour yourself a cup of cocoa and cozy up to the fire for this heartwarming series of vignettes that's sure to be fun for the whole family.​ READ MORE

Spring Road Winter Fest

Elmhurst- FREE
Saturday, December 13
Decorated reindeer sculptures make an appearance at Spring Road and the Prairie Path in Elmhurst. Kids can also enjoy a sleigh ride (if there's snow) or a wagon ride (if there's not),free cocoa and cookies, and a visit with Santa. Choir groups from the Student Choir from Immaculate Conception HS and the Acappellago Group will perform. READ MORE

Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins at the Raven Theatre

Rogers Park
Saturday, December 13- Sunday, December 14
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

Wilmette Menorah Lighting

Wilmette
Sunday, December 14
Brave the cold and share in a beautiful community tradition! Chabad of Wilmette, in partnership with the Chamber, invites the community to the annual Menorah Lighting at Village Hall on Sunday, December 14 at 5:30 PM. Enjoy festive music by the Wilmette Junior High Choir, remarks from village dignitaries and community partners, hot cocoa, a 12-foot menorah lighting, songs, and even a visit from a stilt walker! READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Harry Caray's Navy Pier

Navy Pier
Sunday, December 14
Santa visits Navy Pier for brunch at Harry Caray's, where families can interact with him and Mrs. Claus while enjoying a holiday themed buffet. READ MORE

Do-It- Yourself Nutcracker

Lincoln Square
Sunday, December 14
Join us for this magical event as student dancers on stage for a re-telling of this holiday classic where you become the star. Wear your tights, slippers, and holiday finest for this unique and fun-filled interactive holiday dance event. Don't miss the chance to relive the magic of the Nutcracker. READ MORE

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