Top 10 Kid-Friendly Holiday Events in Chicagoland

Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with these family-friendly holiday events in Chicago and the suburbs.

Celebrate the holidays in Chicagoland with the whole family. You and your kids can enjoy the magical winter season with Christmas and holiday shows, holiday lights, holiday markets and more.

We highly recommend you get tickets to these popular experiences before they sell out! Here are some of our favorite holiday events, but find even more events on our calendar.

This article was recently updated Nov. 1, 2024, by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding holiday events to the ChicagoParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best holiday events in Chicagoland. Questions? Please reach out to kari@chicagoparent.com.

ZooLights

zoolights
Photo credit: Lincoln Park Zoo

Nov. 15, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025

  • Address: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago
  • Cost:$7-$10/Tuesdays-Sundays, free/Mondays; fees for additional encounters and activities

Enjoy a twinkling winter wonderland complete with festive activities, such as visits with Santa, a holiday pop-up bar, sweet treats of all kinds and more.

Lightscape

Nov. 15, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025

Lightscape
Photo credit: Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lightscape for the Holiday Season

  • Address: Chicago Botanical Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
  • Cost: $30-$34/adults, $17-$19/ages 3-12, free/2 and under

See thousands of twinkling lights while walking through the Winter Cathedral and a reimagined fire garden.

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Nov. 16, 2024-Jan. 5, 2025

  • Address: Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
  • Cost: Free with museum admission

This Chicago tradition began in 1942 with a single tree. Now, the museum features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by 40 other trees and displays. Each surrounding tree is decorated to represent holiday traditions in other cultures around the world.

Illumination: Tree Lights

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum
Photo credit: Illumination – Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

Nov. 16, 2024-Jan. 4, 2025

  • Address: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
  • Cost: Prices vary by date

Surround yourselves with color while walking on the one-mile paved pathway. Enjoy seasonal music, captivating light designs and roasting s’mores on a fire at this outdoor event.

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Nov. 22-Dec. 24, 2024

  • Address: Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago
  • Cost: Free admission

Enjoy one of Chicago’s most beloved shopping traditions in-person and online with treats and gifts from Germany and beyond.

Christkindlmarket Aurora

Nov. 22-Dec. 24, 2024

  • Address: RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway, Aurora
  • Cost: Free 

Enjoy live entertainment, a unique shopping experience, family-friendly events and intercultural activities.

The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Photo credit: Vito Palmisano

Nov. 23, 2024 

  • Address: Michigan Avenue, Chicago 
  • Cost: Free

See Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World illuminate more than one million lights on over 200 trees along the parade route at this annual holiday event.

Christmas Express 2024

Dec. 7-8, 2024

  • Address: New Lenox Train Station, 300 N. Church St., New Lenox
  • Cost: $45

Enjoy a ride on the Christmas Express to Tinley Park with songs and entertainment. Tickets include a visit with Santa, breakfast or lunch, plus many activities.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Hip Hop Nutcracker
Photo Credit Timothy Norris

Dec. 10-15, 2024

  • Address: Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago 
  • Cost: $35-plus

This holiday performance is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic and features hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together.

Home for the Holidays in Oak Park

Home for the Holidays and Winterfest
Photo credit: Downtown Oak Park

Dec. 21, 2024

  • Address: Downtown Oak Park, Lake Street and Marion Street, Oak Park
  • Cost: Free

Enjoy free sleigh rides, visits with Santa, hot cocoa and musical entertainment. Also, enjoy a free film at Lake Theater.


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Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano
Kari Zaffarano is a mom of one and Chicago Parent's Content Writer. She tracks down the best events every week and shares the inside scoop with families online. She enjoys reading, traveling and exploring new places with her son.
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