Top 10 Kid-Friendly Holiday Events in Chicagoland

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

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

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

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.