Searching for what to do in Chicago this December? Here are the best things to do in Chicago this December (from a local) – from the top attractions to festive holiday events and activities.
December is one of the best months to visit Chicago. Even though the weather is getting colder, it is still comfortable and there are so many fun and festive Christmas and holiday activities and events that take place.
Things to Do in Chicago This December
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Below are the top things to do in Chicago in December including the best December 2024 events.
Go Outdoor Ice Skating
There are several places to go outdoor ice skating in Chicago in December. One of the best and instaworthy places to go ice skating in downtown Chicago is the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink right in front of The Bean. Another picture perfect spot is the nearby skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park which has a path twice the length of a lap around a traditional skating rink.
Attend a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s Candlelight Concerts is a series of special classical music concerts that take place in beautiful venues bathed in candlelight. Some of the concerts taking place this December include:
A Tribute to Coldplay on Strings
A Tribute to Tracy Chapman
The Best of Bollywood and Tollywood on Strings
Best of Bridgerton on Strings
Holiday Special featuring “Silent Night, “Jingle Bells,” and More
You can find the full list of candlelight concerts in Chicago here.
Visit an Authentic German-Style Christmas Market
Christkindlmarket is an authentic German-style outdoor market. Visitors can shop for Christmas ornaments and products from around the world and try various German food and drinks such as roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and hot spiced wine. You can purchase a limited edition souvenir mug to remember your visit.
When: Through December 24, 2024.
Where: Daley Plaza (50 W Washington Street)
When: Hours vary see the website for more details
Cost: Admission is FREE.
Take a Holiday Tour
If you enjoy guided tours, join a holiday tour that focuses on Chicago’s holiday attractions:
Holiday Hike: Festive Food & Walking Tour
Seasonal Stroll Walking Tour of Holiday Attractions
Winterland: An Immersive Holiday Experience
Winterland: An Immersive Holiday Experience is a whimsical holiday wonderland filled with festive delights and sparkling lights. This immersive 45 minute journey takes place indoors at Navy Pier during the entire month of December.
Where: Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Cost: $15 for adults and $12.50 for children 12 and under. Click here to purchase tickets in advance.
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
During the entire month of December, Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier features free outdoor holiday lights and other 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.
Watch Free Winter Fireworks and Drone Shows Over Lake Michigan
Watch free winter fireworks and drones shows at Navy Pier in December. For the first time this year, Navy Pier will also have two new holiday-themed drone shows this December. You don’t have to visit Navy Pier to enjoy the fireworks, you can also see them from the lakefront or from a fireworks cruise.
When: Fireworks shows will take place every Saturday night (9:00 pm – 9:10 pm) from December 7-21, 2024 and midnight on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Drones shows will take place on Friday, December 6 and 13, 2024 from 9:00 pm – 9:10 pm.
Cost: Free.
See the Crèche and Wreathed Lions at the Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States and is frequently found on lists of the top museums in the world.
During the entire month of December, you can see the lions decked with their evergreen wreaths as well as the spectacular 18th-century Neapolitan crèche, or Nativity scene, telling the story of Jesus Christ’s birth through more than 200 painted terracotta figures staged in an elaborate environment inspired by 18th-century Naples.
Hours: Monday and Friday–Sunday from 11 a.m.– 5 p.m. Thursdays from 11 a.m.– 8 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays.
Where: 111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Cost: Varies. Click here to buy a skip the line ticket if you want to avoid long lines. There are discounts for Chicago and Illinois residents.
Watch Digital Art at Art on the Mart
Art on theMART is the largest permanent digital art projection in the world, projecting contemporary artwork across the 2.5-acre river-façade of theMART. December is the last chance to see this outdoor show before it goes on hiatus for the winter months.
Where: The Merchandise Mart, 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654. Spectators can watch the show from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk on Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Franklin Street.
When: 30-minute program of projections are shown two times every evening.
Cost: Free.
See the City of Chicago Christmas Tree
The City of Chicago Christmas tree can be seen at Millennium Park during the entire month of December.
Make sure to stop by The Bean – a must on any Chicago bucket list. The Bean is located a few feet away from the tree and can even take photos of The Bean with the Christmas tree in the background.
Where: Millennium Park, near the intersection of Michigan Ave. and Washington St.
Cost: Free.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ at Lincoln Park Zoo is a cheerful, family-friendly holiday event in the heart of the city. Zoolights features hundreds of luminous LED displays and seasonal experiences, all under the glow of millions of lights.
Where: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL
Cost: $7–$10 (free admission on select Mondays)
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
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The Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry annual celebration began in 1942 and features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree, surrounded by a forest of more than 40 trees and displays which represent the holiday traditions from cultures around the globe.
Where: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (5700 S Lake Shore Drive).
Cost: Included in regular museum admission. Click here to purchase a skip the line ticket.
Tip: If you are visiting a few museums and indoor attractions, consider purchasing a Chicago CityPASS or Go Chicago Card to save money on entrance fees.
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs (previously “Caroling at Cloud Gate”)
Join the Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along (previously “Caroling at Cloud Gate”) to sing out and celebrate Chicago’s diverse holiday traditions on Friday evenings in December.
Where: Millennium Park
When: Fridays, December 6, 13 and 20, 2024, 6pm
Cost: Free.
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Winterland is back at Gallagher Way this December with music, Santa, seasonal food and drinks, carnival rides and bumper cars.
Where: Gallagher Way, 3635 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
When: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 6-22, 2024
Cost: Admission to Gallagher Way is free and requires no tickets. Ride tickets will be available on site for purchase.
See The Winter Flower Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of the largest and most stunning botanical conservatories in the US.
During the entire month of December, you can see this year’s Winter Flower Show “Snowflakes” exhibit which celebrates the beauty of snow with more than 25 macro images of snow crystals hanging above the annual display of poinsettias and lighted conifer trees.
Where: 300 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60624
Hours: Wednesday 10am-8pm; Thursday – Sunday 10am-5pm; Closed Monday and Tuesday. Visitors are encouraged to make a reservation online in advance.
See Flowers inside the Lincoln Park Conservatory
Lincoln Park Conservatory is always green and lush year round, offering visitors a tropical experience within its four display houses: Palm House, Fern Room, Orchid House and Show House.
During the entire month of December, visitors can also enjoy “Champagne Toast,” the 2024 Winter Flower Show at the Lincoln Park Conservatory. The display features poinsettia varieties such as ‘Autumn Leaves’, ‘Jubilee Pink’, ‘Ice Crystal’, and ‘Maren’, all of which capture the theme in unique shades of apricot, gold and pink. Fresh cut fir trees adorn the room and hanging baskets of dichondra float like chandeliers.
Hours: Open Wednesdays – Sundays from 10 am – 5 pm. Timed entry reservation is required.
Where: 2391 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Cost: Free.
Titanic: The Exhibition
Titanic: The Exhibition is only in the Chicago area for a limited time. 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.
Go Holiday Shopping (or Window Shopping)
Chicago is a great city for shopping with every type of store you can imagine. Many shopping centers and departments stores have holiday decorations and attractions to put you in a festive mood. Make sure not to miss Macy’s State Street (formerly Marshall Fields) – the building is a National Historic Landmark and it is known for its holiday window displays.
The major shopping areas in downtown Chicago include State Street (where you can find Macy’s, Target and many smaller stores) and The Magnificent Mile (where you can find large shopping centers and departments stores, luxury stores and other popular brands).
If you are looking for unique and/or handmade items, check out there markets for your holiday shopping: Chicago Artisan Market (Ravenswood) (December 1, 2024), One of a Kind Show (December 5-8, 2024), Winter Market at Gallagher Way (December 6-8, 2024), Sauced Night Market Before Xmas (December 13-14, 2024), Randolph Street Holiday Market (December 14-15, 2024) and Chicago Artisan Market (Fulton Market) (December 15, 2024).
Ride the CTA Holiday Train and Bus
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The CTA Holiday Train is a holiday tradition unique to Chicago. As the train pulls into each station, Santa waves to riders from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar carrying his reindeer and decorated holiday trees. Each car of the train is wrapped with holiday and seasonal images. Thousands of twinkling lights outline the shape of the train and windows, with even more lights running across the tops of the cars. (The video above is from one of my favorite Chicago photo spots.)
The CTA Holiday Bus is 60-foot bus turned into a winter wonderland with holiday music playing and Santa waving and from the roof-hatch of the bus. The exterior of the bus features Chicago’s skyline one snowy evening with “Ralphie the Reindeer” leading the way, his nose aglow and Santa’s sleigh in tow. Festive strings of lights outline the bus and its windows, along with sparkling snowflakes that light-up at night.
When: See transitchicago.com/holidayfleet for full details on dates, times and routes.
Cost: Regular CTA fare. See transitchicago.com for prices.
Drink Glogg at Simon’s Tavern
Drinking the signature glögg (mulled wine) at Simon’s Tavern is a holiday tradition for Chicagoans.
The long standing neighborhood dive bar in Andersonville is packed every year in December.
Where: Simon’s Tavern at 5210 N Clark St, Chicago, IL
See Christmas and Holiday Lights Around Chicago
There are many places to see Christmas and holiday light shows in Chicago and the suburbs. There are several drive thru holiday lights shows in the Chicago area or you can also drive through neighborhoods known for their holiday lights. Here are the best places to see Christmas and holiday lights in and around Chicago.
Chicago December 2024 Events
In addition to the activities mentioned above, other Chicago December 2024 events include: Chicagoland Toys For Tots Motorcycle Parade (December 1, 2024), Holiday Party with The Dredge at the Chicago History Museum (December 4, 2024), Deck The Hall at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (December 5-7, 2024), Winterland Tree Lighting Ceremony (December 6, 2024), Santa Hustle 5K (December 7, 2024), A Very Sinatra Christmas Special at Teatro ZinZanni (December 10, 2024), Adults Night Out: Holidaze (December 12, 2024), Saint Lucia (December 13, 2024), TBOX (Twelve Bars of Christmas) Bar Crawl (December 14, 2024), Latin American Christmas (December 13-15, 2024), Tuba Christmas (December 21, 2024), Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert (December 29, 2024), New Year’s Eve 5K (December 31, 2024), NHL Winter Classic (December 31, 2024) and New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier (December 31, 2024).
For more December 2024 events, bookmark this post about the best weekend events which is updated every week.
As you can see there are many fun things to do in Chicago in December this year.
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