Chicago Holiday Guide: Things to Do in November & December
Chicago takes on a different character during the holiday season. Lights illuminate downtown streets and neighborhood displays, seasonal markets return, ice rinks open, theaters stage holiday favorites, and restaurants, hotels, and cultural attractions embrace the celebrations.
From Christkindlmarket and ZooLights to Millennium Park skating, festive performances, holiday shopping, seasonal treats, and neighborhood traditions, November and December offer some of Chicago’s most memorable experiences. This guide will help you decide what to see, where to explore, and how to make the most of the holiday season in Chicago.
Visiting later in winter? Explore our Winter in Chicago guide for things to do throughout December, January, and February.
What the Holiday Season Is Like in Chicago
Chicago’s holiday season begins taking shape in November and reaches full stride from Thanksgiving through December. Downtown landmarks, neighborhood commercial districts, parks, hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions add seasonal displays and programming, while markets and outdoor attractions bring festive activity to several parts of the city.
December generally feels more wintry than November, so the experience changes as the season progresses. Earlier visits may combine fall-like conditions with the first holiday attractions, while later December brings colder weather and the possibility of snow. Building a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences into your itinerary makes it easier to enjoy the celebrations regardless of the weather.
Holiday Weather & What to Pack
Chicago weather changes considerably between November and December. November can bring relatively mild days alongside colder stretches, while December typically feels much more like winter. Wind can make temperatures feel colder, particularly downtown and near Lake Michigan, so dressing in layers is important when your plans include outdoor markets, lights, skating, or neighborhood exploring.
Bring a warm coat, comfortable boots with good traction, and layers that can be adjusted as you move between outdoor attractions and heated indoor spaces. A hat, gloves, and scarf become increasingly important as temperatures fall, and hand warmers can be useful for longer outdoor activities.
Typical Holiday-Season Temperatures
November: 40s–50s°F
December: 20s–40s°F
Best Holiday Things to Do in Chicago
Explore Christkindlmarket
Christkindlmarket is one of Chicago’s signature holiday traditions, bringing European-inspired market stalls, seasonal food and drinks, ornaments, gifts, and festive atmosphere to the city. It can become especially busy on weekends, so visiting earlier in the day can make for a more relaxed experience.
Experience ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
ZooLights transforms Lincoln Park Zoo with illuminated displays, seasonal installations, music, and holiday activities. It’s one of Chicago’s longest-running festive traditions and an easy way to combine a holiday experience with time in Lincoln Park.
Go Ice Skating at Millennium Park
Skating beneath Chicago’s downtown skyline is a classic holiday-season experience. Combine time on the ice with Millennium Park, nearby holiday attractions, shopping, dining, and other Loop destinations.
See Chicago Dressed for the Holidays
Downtown Chicago takes on a festive character with illuminated streets, decorated buildings, seasonal displays, and holiday activity around the Loop and Michigan Avenue. An evening walk offers an easy way to experience the atmosphere while moving between attractions, restaurants, and shopping.
See Macy’s Holiday Windows & Great Tree
The holiday windows and Great Tree at Macy’s on State Street are longstanding Chicago traditions. They’re especially easy to incorporate into a downtown itinerary alongside Millennium Park, Christkindlmarket, shopping, dining, and other Loop attractions.
See a Holiday Show or Performance
Holiday productions become part of Chicago’s cultural calendar throughout November and December, including seasonal theater, ballet, concerts, and family performances. Programming changes each year, so check current schedules when planning your visit.
Visit a Holiday Pop-Up Bar
Holiday-themed bars and seasonal cocktail experiences appear throughout Chicago during November and December, from elaborate pop-ups to decorated hotel lounges and neighborhood bars. Explore our Chicago Cocktail guide for more ideas for an evening out.
Warm Up with Hot Cocoa & Dessert
Hot chocolate, pastries, and seasonal desserts are an easy addition to a cold-weather day. Explore our Chicago Desserts guide and Chicago Bakeries guide for places worth adding to your holiday itinerary.
Holiday Events & Seasonal Traditions
November and December bring seasonal programming to attractions and venues across Chicago, from illuminated outdoor experiences and holiday markets to museum programming, performances, and neighborhood celebrations. Dates and offerings can change each year, so confirm current schedules before planning your visit around a particular event.
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Lightscape transforms the Chicago Botanic Garden with an illuminated outdoor trail featuring artistic light installations, music, and seasonal displays. Because it is a ticketed experience with scheduled entry times, advance planning is especially helpful during popular holiday periods.
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Gallagher Way beside Wrigley Field becomes a seasonal destination with winter activities and festive programming. Offerings can vary from year to year, so check the current schedule before making it part of your holiday itinerary.
Holiday Fireworks at Navy Pier
Seasonal fireworks over Lake Michigan can add another memorable experience to a holiday visit. Dates and times vary, so confirm Navy Pier’s current schedule before heading to the lakefront specifically for a fireworks display.
Holiday Programming at Chicago Museums
Chicago’s museums and cultural institutions often add seasonal exhibitions, displays, performances, and special programming during November and December. The Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium can also provide excellent indoor options on colder days.
Find Current Holiday Events
Holiday schedules change every year, so use our Chicago Events guide to find current markets, performances, light displays, family activities, cultural celebrations, and other seasonal happenings during your visit.
Best Chicago Neighborhoods to Explore During the Holidays
The Loop
The Loop is the center of many classic Chicago holiday experiences, making it easy to combine Christkindlmarket, Millennium Park, Macy’s holiday traditions, seasonal displays, shopping, museums, and dining in one area. It’s especially convenient for visitors who want to experience several holiday attractions without traveling far between stops.
Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park combines ZooLights with neighborhood restaurants, cafés, shops, and winter scenery around the park. It’s a good choice for turning a single holiday attraction into a longer neighborhood outing away from the downtown crowds.
Andersonville
Andersonville’s independent shops, cafés, bakeries, and neighborhood character make it particularly appealing during the holiday season. Its Scandinavian heritage also adds another dimension to the neighborhood’s seasonal traditions and makes it a strong destination for local holiday shopping.
Holiday Dining, Cocktails & Seasonal Treats
Dining becomes part of the holiday experience in Chicago, whether you’re warming up after an outdoor market, planning a festive dinner, stopping for something sweet, or ending the evening with a seasonal cocktail.
Plan a Festive Meal
Holiday outings pair naturally with a memorable lunch or dinner, from intimate neighborhood restaurants to steakhouses, Italian dining, and special-occasion destinations. Browse our Chicago Dining guide to explore restaurants by cuisine, occasion, neighborhood, and dining style.
Find a Holiday Cocktail
November and December bring seasonal menus, decorated lounges, and holiday-themed bars throughout Chicago. For year-round recommendations beyond temporary pop-ups, explore our Chicago Cocktail guide for classic institutions, intimate lounges, and creative modern drinks.
Make Room for Something Sweet
Hot chocolate, pastries, cookies, and seasonal desserts are an easy addition to a holiday day out. Explore our Chicago Bakeries guide and Chicago Desserts guide for more places to warm up and enjoy something sweet.
Planning Your Chicago Holiday Visit
Chicago’s holiday season can be busy, particularly on weekends and during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. If Christkindlmarket, ZooLights, Lightscape, holiday performances, or other ticketed experiences are priorities, check schedules and make reservations in advance when available.
Grouping activities by neighborhood can make your visit easier in colder weather. Downtown holiday attractions can often be combined in one outing, while Lincoln Park and other neighborhoods work well as separate experiences. Leave some flexibility in your itinerary for weather, crowds, and the simple pleasure of stopping for a warm drink, meal, or unexpected holiday display along the way.
Explore More Chicago
Continue planning with our Winter in Chicago guide for things to do throughout December, January, and February, or browse the Chicago Events guide for current holiday markets, performances, light displays, and seasonal happenings.
Explore our Things to Do guide for attractions and experiences across the city, the Neighborhoods guide for more places to discover, the Dining guide for restaurants and local favorites, or our Visitor Guide for transportation, where to stay, and practical trip-planning advice.
