Chicago does the holidays big. There’s a holiday market in Daley Plaza and another one next to Wrigley Field, millions of lights at two zoos, a Nutcracker set at the 1893 World’s Fair, a parade down Michigan Avenue and a Bears game on Christmas Day. If you’re visiting this November or December, or you live here and keep meaning to get out more, this is your list.
These are the ten events we’d actually plan a weekend around, in date order, with who each one suits and what to pair it with nearby. Every date was checked against the organizer’s or venue’s own website on October 14, 2026. If an event hadn’t posted its 2026 dates yet, it didn’t make the list, so a few favorites are missing for now. More on that at the end.
The quick version
| Event | Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light | Opens Sat, Nov 7 | Griffin Museum of Science and Industry |
| Chicago Bears home games | Nov 8, Nov 22, Dec 25 | Soldier Field |
| A Christmas Carol | Nov 13 – Dec 31 | Goodman Theatre |
| Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Market | Tree lighting Fri, Nov 20; market Nov 20–22 | Millennium Park |
| Christkindlmarket | Nov 20 – Dec 24 (Daley Plaza); Nov 20 – Dec 31 (Wrigleyville) | Daley Plaza and Gallagher Way |
| ZooLights | Nov 20 – Jan 3 | Lincoln Park Zoo |
| Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival | Sat, Nov 21 | North Michigan Avenue |
| Holiday Magic | Select dates, Nov 21 – Jan 3 | Brookfield Zoo Chicago |
| Wintrust Winter WonderFest | Nov 27 – Jan 3 | Navy Pier |
| The Nutcracker | Dec 4–27 | Lyric Opera House |
1. Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at Griffin MSI
Opens Saturday, November 7, 2026 · Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive · Exhibit details
Start the season at the museum long known as MSI. Its holiday exhibit features more than 50 trees and displays, each decorated by community volunteers who share their own family and cultural traditions. Mixed in among the trees are displays for celebrations of light from around the world, like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali. At the center stands the four-story Grand Tree.
The museum says the tradition started in 1942 with a single tree that stood for unity during World War II. It’s included in general admission, and the museum’s holiday events include a season kickoff with live performances and the lighting of the Grand Tree.
Our tip: give yourself time for the rest of the museum too. Our Museum of Science and Industry guide covers the highlights.
2. Chicago Bears home games
Sunday, November 8 · Sunday, November 22 · Friday, December 25, 2026 · Soldier Field · Schedule
If you want to see Chicago at full volume, go to a Bears game. Three home games stand out in these two months:
- Sunday, November 8, at 7:20 p.m. against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a Sunday night game on NBC
- Sunday, November 22, at noon against the New Orleans Saints, the day after the Lights Festival
- Friday, December 25, at noon against the Green Bay Packers, on Christmas Day
Bears–Packers on Christmas is about as Chicago as it gets. The team notes that dates and times can change under the NFL’s flex scheduling, so check the schedule before you book.
Our tip: Soldier Field sits on the lakefront next to the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. If you’re in town for a game, make a weekend of the Museum Campus.
3. A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre
November 13 to December 31, 2026 · Albert Theatre, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn Street · Tickets
The Goodman’s A Christmas Carol is a Chicago holiday ritual, and the theater says millions have seen it over the past five decades. This year Chicago favorite Tim Hopper makes his debut as Scrooge, in Tom Creamer’s adaptation directed by Malkia Stampley.
It runs right up to New Year’s Eve, with ASL-interpreted, audio-described, open-captioned and Spanish-subtitled performances on December 4 to 6, and a sensory-friendly show on Sunday, December 27, at 2 p.m. Children under 5 aren’t permitted in the theater.
Our tip: the Goodman is a block from Daley Plaza, so pair a matinee with an evening at the Christkindlmarket (number 5 on this list).
4. Christmas Tree Lighting and Millennium Park Holiday Market
Tree lighting Friday, November 20 · Holiday Market November 20–22, 2026 · Millennium Park, near N. Michigan Avenue and E. Washington Street · City announcement
The city’s official Christmas tree lights up in Millennium Park on Friday, November 20. The tree is chosen from trees submitted by people across Chicagoland.
The same weekend, the Millennium Park Holiday Market brings more than 40 local artisans and small businesses to the park’s North Promenade. It’s open Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 22, from noon to 5 p.m. The city says more holiday programming will be announced soon. The ceremony time hadn’t been posted when we checked.
Our tip: our Millennium Park guide covers the Bean and the rest of the park. Pair it with the Art Institute of Chicago or the Chicago Cultural Center, both right nearby.
5. Christkindlmarket Chicago
Daley Plaza: November 20 to December 24, 2026 · Wrigleyville: November 20 to December 31, 2026 · Daley Plaza details · Wrigleyville details
This is the one to plan your visit around. Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style holiday market, and it runs in two places in the city this year:
- Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street, November 20 to December 24. It’s open daily, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wrigleyville, at Gallagher Way, 3635 N. Clark Street, November 20 to December 31. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It opens at 11 a.m. on December 21 to 23 and 28 to 30, closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and is closed on Christmas Day.
The Wrigleyville market runs a week longer, so it’s the one to catch between Christmas and New Year’s.
Our tip: the Wrigleyville market sits right next to the ballpark. Our Wrigley Field guide has more on the neighborhood.
6. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027 · Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark Street · Dates and tickets
ZooLights is one of the city’s favorite holiday traditions. The zoo says more than 3 million lights and hundreds of LED displays take over the grounds, with a light tunnel to walk through, a Ferris wheel with views of the skyline, hot chocolate, churros and fire pits for s’mores. On select nights there are carolers and ice carvers too.
It’s open from 4:30 to 9 p.m., with last entry at 8 p.m. It’s closed on Thanksgiving, December 1, 8 and 15, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so check the calendar before you go. Santa is at the zoo through December 23, and carolers stroll the paths on Sundays through December 21. Tickets are required, and Monday tickets are released a week ahead at 11 a.m.
Our tip: come before dark to see the animals, then stay for the lights. Our Lincoln Park Zoo guide covers the zoo by day, and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is close by.
7. Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Saturday, November 21, 2026 · North Michigan Avenue · Festival details
The Lights Festival is the day Chicago officially switches into holiday mode. A parade heads south down North Michigan Avenue, lighting up the trees along The Magnificent Mile block by block, and the day ends with fireworks over the Chicago River.
The festival is on Saturday, November 21. The organizers say the 2026 lineup will be announced soon, so check their site closer to the date for the schedule and performers.
Our tip: stake out your spot early and dress warmly. Our Magnificent Mile guide covers the route, including the Chicago Water Tower.
8. Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Select dates, November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027 · Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield · Dates and details
Holiday Magic has been running for more than 40 years, and it’s a big night out for families. Expect themed areas with larger-than-life holiday displays, glowing tunnels, a maze and animal-themed light displays.
It runs from 3 to 9 p.m. on select dates: November 21 to 25 and 27 to 29, December 3 to 6, 10 to 13, 17 to 23 and 26 to 31, and January 1 to 3. Santa visits on many nights through December 23. There’s a sensory-friendly night on Thursday, December 3, with dimmed lights, softer music and fewer visual effects.
Our tip: the zoo is in the western suburbs, so plan for the drive. You can also rent a Holiday Igloo during Holiday Magic. Our Brookfield Zoo guide has more on visiting.
9. Wintrust Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027 · Festival Hall, Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue · Dates and tickets
Winter WonderFest turns Navy Pier’s Festival Hall into an indoor holiday destination with festive décor, seasonal attractions and family fun, and ice skating is included with every admission.
It opens the day after Thanksgiving, and opening day runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Note that it’s open only to pre-booked groups from November 30 to December 2 and closed to the public on those days.
Our tip: our Navy Pier guide covers the rest of the pier, and the Chicago Children’s Museum is right there too if you have young kids.
10. The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet
December 4–27, 2026 · Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive · Dates and tickets
The Joffrey’s Nutcracker is made for Chicago. Christopher Wheeldon’s version moves the story to the city in the 1890s, where Marie is swept away to the fairgrounds of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, all set to Tchaikovsky’s score.
Performances run from Friday, December 4, through Sunday, December 27, including shows on Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas.
Our tip: the Lyric Opera House sits on the river, a short walk from the Chicago Riverwalk. Go early and take a stroll before the curtain.
A few more worth a look
These didn’t make the top ten, but their dates are posted and they’re worth your time.
- Life Time Turkey Trot Chicago: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26. A 5K and 8K in Lincoln Park along the lake, plus a Kids’ Run. Details.
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker: November 24 to 29 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph Street. Tchaikovsky remixed with hip hop dance, with MC Da Brat. Details.
- Blue Man Group “A New Holiday Surprise”: November 24 to December 13 at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe Street. An all-new holiday show, recommended for ages 3 and up. Details.
- Mary Cassatt: After Impressionism: through January 3, 2027, at the Art Institute of Chicago. A ticketed exhibition of Cassatt’s paintings, pastels and prints. See our Art Institute guide. Details.
A few traditions we’re still waiting on
Some of Chicago’s best-loved holiday traditions hadn’t posted their 2026 dates with a year when we checked, so we left them off rather than guess. Keep an eye out for Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concerts, the opening of the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink and the Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon, and New Year’s Eve fireworks at Navy Pier. We’ll add them once the dates are official.
How to make the most of a Chicago holiday season
- Book the popular nights early. The Nutcracker, A Christmas Carol and timed light shows fill up closer to Christmas.
- Stack your days by neighborhood. The Loop has Daley Plaza, the Goodman, Millennium Park and the Lyric. The Museum Campus has the Field Museum, Shedd and Soldier Field. Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville make an easy North Side evening.
- Dress for the lake. It can feel much colder than the forecast near the lakefront and the river, especially after dark.
- Check before you go. Dates and times come from each organizer’s website and can change, so follow the links above for the latest.
That’s our list. From a Christmas market in the Loop to a Bears–Packers game on Christmas Day, Chicago packs a lot of holiday spirit into these two months. Which one are you most excited about?
Last checked: October 14, 2026.
