Searching for what to do this weekend in Chicago? Below are the best things to do in Chicago this weekend (December 20-22, 2024) – from holiday events and activities to other fun weekend events.
This weekend is also officially the start of winter in Chicago.
(If you are planning ahead, you can also find the best things to do next weekend here.)
I suggest bookmarking this blog post as it is updated regularly with new events and activities.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission if you make a booking using my links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Best Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are the best weekend events in Chicago:
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along (previously “Caroling at Cloud Gate”) – Friday, December 20, 2024, 6pm | FREE
Chicago Cultural Center Winter Open House – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 1-6pm | FREE
Winter Fireworks Show at Navy Pier – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9pm | FREE
Hyde Park Handmade Artisan Bazaar – Sunday, December 22, 2024, 11am – 3pm | Free w/ RSVP
The Nut Tapper 25th Anniversary featuring Reggio “The Hoofer” McLaughlin (Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall) – Sunday, December 22, 2024, 4:30pm
A Mariachi Christmas | Old Town School of Folk Music – December 20-21, 2024
Vintage House Market – December 21-22, 2024
Wonderverse Holiday Brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus (Oak Brook) – Sunday, December 22, 2024
Merry, Merry Chicago! (Chicago Symphony Orchestra) – December 18-23, 2024
The 41st Annual Music Box Christmas Sing-A-Long & Double Feature – Through December 24, 2024
More Weekend Events in Chicago
Below are more events taking place this weekend in Chicago:
Violin Concert: Vivaldi The Four Seasons Timothy Chooi (Evanston) – Friday, December 20, 2024, 7pm
Free Blues Fridays featuring Downtown Charlie Brown at the Epiphany Center for the Arts – Friday, December 20, 2024, 7:30pm | FREE admission
Bridgeport Art Center Holiday Market – Friday, December 20, 2024, 6-10pm | FREE
The Honeycomb Friday Night Holiday Market – Friday, December 20, 2024, 7-10pm | FREE – Shop local BIPOC makers, vibe to live DJ sets, and sip on hot cocoa at the final pop-up and event of the year.
A Very Dead Inside Holiday Market (at Empty Bottle) – Friday, December 20, 2024, 9 pm | FREE
Tuba Christmas at Palmer House – Saturday, December 21, 2024 | FREE
Christmas with Tower Brass Concert at Fourth Presbyterian Church – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 5:00 pm | FREE but donation suggested
Photos with Santa on the CTA Holiday Bus at Navy Pier – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 1:50-2:50pm | FREE
The Ozinga Merry Mixer at Navy Pier – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 3-8pm | FREE
Baritone & the Live Jazz Ensemble at the Epiphany Center for the Arts – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 7:30pm
We call it Ballet: Sleeping Beauty in a Dazzling Light Show (Oak Park) – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 9pm
Cirques Experience: Enjoy the Season Show at Warren (Laurence) Park – Saturday, December 21, 2024, 5pm | FREE
34th Annual Winter Solstice Evening Concert – December 21 & 22, 2024, 8pm
Holiday Trolley/ El Aventón Navideño (Little Village) – December 21-22, 2024, 11am – 6pm | FREE
More Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend
In addition to the weekend events listed above, below are more of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend:
Winterland: An Immersive Holiday Experience
Winterland: An Immersive Holiday Experience is an indoor family friendly whimsical holiday wonderland filled with festive delights and sparkling lights.
Where: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: $15.00 for adults and $12.50 for children 12 and under. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier offers free outdoor holiday lights, as well as fun activities and attractions such as axe throwing and a new ice slide.
Where: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: Includes both free and ticketed activities. Single and pre-bundled tickets are available.
Ride the CTA Holiday Train (or Holiday Bus)
Both the CTA Holiday Train and Holiday Bus will be running this weekend. See transitchicago.com/holidayfleet for full details on dates, times and routes.
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Winterland at Gallagher Way is ending this weekend. This family friendly holiday experience offers music, Santa, seasonal food and drinks, carnival rides and bumper cars.
Where: Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
Cost: Admission to Gallagher Way is free and requires no tickets. Ride tickets are available on site for purchase.
Christkindlmarket
This is the last weekend of Christkindlmarket, the popular German-style outdoor market located at Daley Plaza. (Christkindlmarket is always very crowded on the weekends so it is best to visit on a weekday if your schedule allows.)
Where: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Cost: Admission is FREE.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ at Lincoln Park Zoo is a cheerful, family-friendly holiday event features hundreds of luminous LED displays and seasonal experiences, all under the glow of millions of lights.
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
Both the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink right in front of the Bean and skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park are open and require advance reservations. You can find more places to go outdoor ice skating here.
Take a Holiday Tour of Chicago
If you enjoy holiday attractions, holiday themed tours are a good way to see a few attractions in a short amount of time:
Festive Food & Walking Tour
Seasonal Stroll Walking Tour of Holiday Attractions
Guided Holiday Walking Tour and Food Sampling
Titanic: The Exhibition
Titanic: The Exhibition is ending its limited time run in the Chicago area in a few weeks. This interactive experience allows you to step inside recreations of the Titanic’s interior. Immerse yourself in the stories of its passengers, see hundreds of artifacts, and discover the tale of the design, creation, launch, maiden voyage, and tragedy of the historic ship.
Where: 4963 Old Orchard Shopping Center, Skokie, IL 60077 (about 17 miles from downtown Chicago)
Cost: Price varies. Click here for full prices and to purchase tickets in advance.
As you can see there are many things to do in #Chicago this weekend. If you are looking for more things to do in the Chicago area, you can find the best things to do in the suburbs here. If you are looking for things to do during the week, you can find more things to do in Chicago in December here.
