The Ultimate Guide of Things to do in Chicago: 12 Days of December 2022
- Morgan Lukert
- Nov 30, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2022
By Morgan Lukert
Photograph: Shutterstock
Although Chicago is not known for its wonderful winter weather, it is known for its many winter and holiday activities. Whether you are visiting Chicago or going on your 10th holiday season in the windy city, here are some of my favorite events around the city. Make sure to bundle up for some, while others will warm you up after being outside in the cold December nights.
#1: The Nutcracker
Photograph: The Joffery Ballet
As a previous dancer myself, one of my favorite ways to ring in Christmas is the classic story of The Nutcracker. You can enjoy the beautiful and enchanting production put on by the Joffery Ballet and the Civic Opera House. Performances run all December long. Get your tickets before they sell out!
#2: Ice Skating at Maggie Daley Park
Photograph: Courtesy of Maggie Daley Park
Out of all the ice skating rinks in Chicago, this one wins in creativity. Winding around the park along the skating Ribbon, you can take in the Chicago sky line from a whole new perspective. Make sure to make a reservation in advance! The rink is open throughout the winter, and closes around March depending on the weather. Entry is free Monday-Thursday, $5.00 for Friday-Sunday and Holidays, and $16.00-$22.00 if you need to rent skates.
#3: Lincoln Park Zoo Lights
Photograph: Christoper Bijalba/Lincoln Park Zoo
Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ, runs from November 19th-January 1st at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Enjoy walking around the zoo, while admiring the exhibits and light displays. Grab your spiked hot chocolate, hot toddy, or mulled wine above the gift shop and head down to watch the live ice carving across from the sea lion exhibit. Entry is free on Mondays (but still requires a ticket) and only $5.00 Tuesday-Sundays. Entry begins at 4:30pm and closed at 10:00pm. Brewlights is hosted on Dec. 1st and Adults Night Out on Dec. 15th.
#4: Winterglow
Photograph: Sandra Steinbrecher
New to Chicago this year is the Winterglow holiday market and beer garden at the newly renovated Salt Shed. Winterglow will be held over the weekend of December 2nd-4th and December 10th-11th. Browse the wide array of venders to pick out the perfect gifts for your loved ones including jewelry, clothes, home goods, and more. While you shop enjoy or beer or hot drink from the beer garden. If you need to warm up you can enjoy S'mores by the fire. Get your ticket before hand online or at the ticket counter the day of.
#5: Lightscape
Photograph: Alex Hewitt
Experience one of the most beautiful light shows while walking through the Lightscape show featured at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Including whimsical light structures, music, light shows, fire, and clots of decorated trees, this is a light show you DO NOT want to miss. Open through January 8, 2023 from 4:30pm-10:00pm. Tickets for adults are $32, tickets for children 3-12 are $16, and entry is free for children under 3. Tickets usually sell out fast, so make sure to get your tickets early and in advance so you don't miss out!
#6: Reindeer Room at Tack Room
Photograph: Courtesy 16 on Center
Looking to try a new, cozy spot with friends for a night out? Check out the Reindeer Room at Tack Room located within Thalia Hall. The piano bar is open Thursday-Sunday offering holiday inspired cocktails and live music every night. My personal favorite is the Winter Margarita! Enjoy sing-along-Saturday's and jazz all weekend long without a reservation or cover required.
#7: Christmas Around the World
Photograph: Heidi Peters
Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights is an annual event hosted by the Museum of Science and Industry. This year they are celebrating its 80th anniversary! This exhibit features 50 Christmas trees highlighting the holiday customs and traditions celebrated around the world. In the center is the Grand Tree, a four-story, floor-to-dome Christmas Tree. While you're there, plan to take your photo with Santa and check out the holiday LEGO sculptures. This event runs through Sunday, January 8, 2023. Event is included with normal museum entry.
#8: Christkindlmarket
Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas
Maybe the most popular holiday event: Christkindlmarket! This famous German Christmas Market is a safelocated in Chicago, Wrigleyville, and Aurora. Make sure to come hungry and thirsty to enjoy all of the German food venders and all the spiced wine you can drink! My personal favorite will always be the fresh soft pretzels! This is also the perfect place to get your Christmas shopping done. Browse the venders offering ornaments, German chocolate, and more. Admission is free, so come and stay a while!
#9: Light Up the Lake
Photograph: Spectra
Experience Navy Pier like never before with their one of a kind indoor Christmas lights experience and ice skating. If you prefer to stay out of the cold, this is the event for you. Enjoy the many lift displays, ice skating under a canopy of lights, journey through Winter Wonderfest Forest, and meeting Santa. Admission is $15.00 for adults and children. Get your tickets ahead of time for a full day of holiday fun at Navy Peir!
#10: Immersive Nutcracker Exhibit
Photograph: Valdimir Kevorkov
Step into the world imagined by Pyotr Ilyick Tchailkovsky to join Clara, the Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy and many others in a new way. Located at the Lighthouse Artspace Chicago, you can immerse yourself in the whimsical storyline while the iconic "March of the Toys" and "The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" play around you. This is a great experience for people of all ages! You can grab your tickets ahead of time below now through January 8th!
#11: Harry Potter: Magic at Play
Photograph: Shutterstock
Come join the magic of Harry Potter at the interactive, pop-up experience at Water Tower Place on Michicgan Ave. Follow Harry's journey navigating the wizarding world starting from Private Drive to Platform 9 3/4. Once you arrive at Hogwarts, explore the Great Hall and try on the Sorting Hat. Then Joing Harry in class studying Charms, Divination, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. After class is a time for a little fun at Quitddach practice. Finally end the night with a stroll past Hagrid's Hut, through the Forbidden Forest, and practicing your Patronus charm. Tickets are available at the link below!
#12: Amaze Light Festival
Photograph: Courtesy of Amaze Light Festival
Last but not least, explore the light displays at Amaze Light Festival in Tinley Park. Surrounded by larger-than-life worlds holding different themes throughout the park. Enjoy tasty treats, warm drinks, and cocktails as you walk through the twinkling displays. Bring out the kid in you while taking a ride on the Arctic Express Train and tubing down the icy slopes of Zing's Thrill Hill. Open through January 8th from 4pm-10pm. Get your tickets below!
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