Are you planning on spending Christmas in Chicago? As a native Chicagoan myself, there’s nothing quite like the bite of chilly air as you stroll down Michigan Avenue where the holiday lights twinkle at Macy’s. Just imagine as you stroll with hot cocoa and gaze upon the Millennium Park Christmas tree in Chicago downtown and the Chicago Christmas Train brought to you by Allstate and the CTA.
Just writing about this brings a smile to my face and I hope you get to experience the beauty of Christmas in one of my favorite cities on this planet. If you’re wondering where to see Christmas lights in Chicago, as always, your girl Gina Bear has got you covered.
Table of Contents
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Map Of Christmas Lights in Chicago
1. Chicago Christkindlmarket
When: November 17, 2023 – December 24, 2023
Without further adieu, may I present the fabulous Christmas Chicago market back for its 29th anniversary. The Chicago Christkindlmarket is a Chicagoland favorite and it doesn’t quite feel like Christmas without a visit here. There’s two locations in the city—Wrigleyville and downtown Chicago. Inspired by the 16th century Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany, the Christkindlmarket is well-known for its vendors’ high quality gifts and food, holiday cheer, and for being the ideal place for families to make unique memories. For more information on the Chicago Christkindlmarket, you can check out their official website here.
2. CTA Holiday Train
When: Late November 2023 – Late December 2023
Did you know 2023 is the 32nd year the CTA holiday train has made an appearance? You don’t want to miss this gorgeous display of holiday cheer on the Christmas train Chicago. Check out more information on the CTA Holiday train here.
3. Chicago Water Tower
The Water Tower may be one of the most haunted places in Chicago, but that doesn’t stop them from getting decked out with the ultimate holiday cheer and specials. This year, Chicago Water Tower Place is hosting Santa pictures with the kids and your beloved fur babies. Fun fact, this building was built in 1869 and and is one of the very few buildings to have survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
4. Holiday Magic at the Brookfield Zoo
When: November 24-26, 30 and December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23, 26-31, 2023
Alas, Chicago is my kind of town for a reason. Chicagoans love their city despite it getting “God doesn’t love you cold.” You’ll find us toughing it out and braving the below freezing temperatures for some holiday cheer. Holiday Magic at the Brookfield Zoo has returned for their 42nd year in a row! The event is Chicagoland’s longest-running lights festival featuring over two million twinkling LED lights! For more information and tickets for the Holiday Magic Event at the Brookfield Zoo, click here.
5. Macy’s On State Street
When: November 4, 2023 – December 24, 2023
Macy’s on State Street is inviting all you kids from 1 to 92 to visit the busiest man of the year. Santa will be at Macy’s on State Street. Reservations are required to visit the Holiday Celebrations. Reservations can be made up to five days in advance & open each day at 6:30am. Maximum capacity per reservation is nine people. You can make a reservation for Christmas at Macy’s on State Street here. Of course, don’t forget to marvel at all the gorgeous Christmas lights and decorations.
6. Millennium Park Christmas Tree
When: November 17, 2023
This is another popular tree in Chicago that has become so iconic throughout the years. This year marks the city’s 110th Christmas tree, After all, this is the official city of Chicago Christmas tree. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will start at 6pm and is always followed by fireworks and a special performance. It is free for all to attend.
7. McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park
When: November 2023 – March 2024
During the winter season, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park becomes one of Chicago’s largest outdoor ice skating rinks drawing more than 100,000 skaters annually and is free (not inclusive of skate rental) and open to the public, weather permitting. Free ice skating lessons are offered each weekend, as well as during Chicago Public Schools winter break and on selected winter public holidays.
8. Sparkle Light Festival at Impact Field
When: November 17, 2023 – December 31, 2023
There’s a reason the Amaze Light Festival at Impact Field in Rosemont always gets the crowds talking…it’s simply that stunning. This festival really takes the Christmas cheer up a notch by making you feel like you stepped into Santa’s realm in the North Pole. The event sells out quite quickly so you can book your tickets here. Tickets cost $24 for adults and $18 for children.
9. Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
When: November 18, 2023
Returning for its 32nd year, the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is a feast for the eyes. The event begins at 11:00 am starting in Lights Festival Lane (401 North Michigan Avenue) with a festive thoroughfare of booths and family activities, including photos with Santa Claus, until 4:00 pm. Best of all, Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse himself and his wifey Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will also be making an appearance. Gotta love that Disney magic, am I right? For more information about the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, click here.
10. Jack Frost Winter Village Pop Up
When: December 3, 2023 – January 2024
Following Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up in Autumn, we now have the Jack Frost Winter Village Pop Up in Winter. They offer visitors an ice skating rink, plenty of photo opportunities, tasty seasonal drinks and games.
11. ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
When: November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
This year’s ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ will include new and exciting displays, photo ops, and interactive programming all bundled up in the nostalgia of your favorite holiday tradition. There’s free admission on Monday nights and weeknights are $7. Book your tickets to Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo here.
12. Lightscape Chicago Botanic Garden
When: November 10, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Just outside Chicago, the Chicago Botanic Garden is bringing back the Lightscape experience for its fifth year, featuring both brand new works and crowd favorites. The display is set along a mile-long path where visitors can admire multi-sensory light installations by artists from around the world.
13. Light Up The Lake
Light Up The Lake is Navy Pier’s take on Christmas illuminations. You can brighten your winter season with Chicagoland’s biggest indoor, temperature-controlled light garden, featuring large-scale light-sculpture displays; an Alpine ice rink, authentic holiday beer garden, kiddie train rides, gift market, Merry Main Street. Tickets for adults are $21 and tickets for children are $19 during the week. You can book your tickets to Light Up The Lake at Navy Pier here.
Dates: November 2023 – January 2, 2024
14. MOSAI Christmas Around The World
When: November 18, 2023 – January 2024
As a kid, some of my fondest memories were visiting Chicago’s world class museums. This year, one of my favorites, the Museum of Science and Industry is presenting Christmas Around The World. For all my Korea lovers still reading the blog, Korea’s tree is covered in paper ornaments (종이접기), which is one of the country’s popular crafts. You can purchase your tickets here.
15. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
When: November 18, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Explore 50 acres of the Morton Arboretum’s majestic trees during this one-of-a-kind spectacle of color, light, and sound. You will be awed and delighted to see returning favorites and surprising new sights, including a special Human+Nature display and an experience featuring 150 colorful lanterns. Get your tickets to Tree Lights at the Morton Arboretum here.
16. World of Illumination: Arctic Adventure Six Flags Great America
When: November 17, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Like all amusement parks in America, we go all out for Christmas. Each section of Six Flags Gurnee is exquisitely decorated with its own vibe and color palette. Some rides are still open although most of them are closed. Don’t let this stop you as they have tasty seasonal treats and a bunch of Christmas shows to help you be merry. Purchase tickets and see the holiday schedule here.
Now you know where to spend Christmas in Chicago 2023. This list is Gina Bear’s top picks of Christmas activities in Chicago. I seriously am sad to be missing the Christkindlmarket especially, but the show must go on! Hopefully this list will inspire you of where to see the best Christmas lights in Chicago.
This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!
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