The exuberant seven-day African American tradition of Kwanzaa will be celebrated with seven days of free music, dance, culture and community at Malcolm X College on December 26, 2025-January 1, 2026. The annual Malcolm X College Kwanzaa Celebration honors the theme of … [Read more...] about Free Kwanzaa Celebration at Malcolm X College
family friendly
Free Tuba Christmas at the Palmer House
Enjoy the sounds of the holiday on the biggest scale ever at the 52nd annual Tuba Christmas at the historic Palmer House Hotel on December 20, 2025. Tuba players from around the world will descend upon the Grand and State Ballroom in the Plamer House to perform a spirited concert of holiday … [Read more...] about Free Tuba Christmas at the Palmer House
Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration and Marketplace
Chicago celebrates the seven-day, African American holiday of Kwanzaa with performances, plays, story-times and festivals throughout the city. Head to the Washington Park refectory for a free day of music, cultural experiences and a marketplace with the Pre-Kwanzaa Holiday Celebration and … [Read more...] about Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration and Marketplace
Skate in the Clouds at Peninsula Sky Rink
Ice skating is a beloved Chicago winter tradition with rinks all over the city but one of the most scenic skating experiences is at The Peninsula Chicago's Sky Rink, perched above the Magnificent Mile with sparkling lights and pine trees. The rink is open through February 16, 2026. Ride up to … [Read more...] about Skate in the Clouds at Peninsula Sky Rink
Ride the CTA Holiday Train
One of the things that makes the holidays in Chicago extra special is the CTA Holiday Train. For 34 years, a festive train carrying Santa and his reindeer runs through all of the CTA lines, carrying joy and food baskets to Chicago community organizations. The train runs through … [Read more...] about Ride the CTA Holiday Train
Garfield Park Conservatory Winter Flower Show
The Chicago holiday season is never complete without the natural beauty of the Garfield Park Winter Flower Show. This year's theme is Merry & Bright, celebrating the festive colors and foliage of the season through January 6, 2025. Stroll through the displays of boldly colored … [Read more...] about Garfield Park Conservatory Winter Flower Show
St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Celebrate the beautiful Swedish tradition of St. Lucia Day at the Swedish American Museum in the Andersonville neighborhood. The annual candlelit procession down Clark Street will take place on December 13, 2025. Starting at sunset around 4:45 pm, specially selected St. Lucia girls" wearing … [Read more...] about St. Lucia Festival of Lights
Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show
Lincoln Park Conservatory's beloved Winter Flower Show will explore the enchanting beauty of fireplaces and poinsettias with this year's show, "Fireside," which runs from November 26, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Cozy up at the enormous brick fireplace centerpiece and check out the thrilling … [Read more...] about Lincoln Park Conservatory Holiday Flower Show
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
One of Chicago's most iconic holiday traditions is viewing the holiday trees from around the world at the Christmas Around The World exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry. This year's display includes Holidays of Light, a celebration of global holidays that honor light … [Read more...] about Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Free Adler Planetarium at Night
Take your day to another dimension with a visit to Adler Planetarium on Wednesday nights. For Adler at Night, the planetarium is open late, from 4-10 pm so that visitors can experience the excitement of the sky and the cosmos at night. Illinois residents can explore the … [Read more...] about Free Adler Planetarium at Night
Jack Frost Fulton Market
Stroll under 100,000 holiday lights and dive into seasonal fun, including holiday pop-up shops, ice skating and bumper cars at the Jack Frost Holiday Pop-Up at Fulton Market, opening on November 15, 2025. Journey into the ultimate holiday adventure with a … [Read more...] about Jack Frost Fulton Market
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo $7 plus free nights
Lincoln Park Zoo's annual Zoo Lights is the highlight of Chicago's holiday season, with hundreds of lights twinkling across the grounds. Tickets are on sale now for the event, which opens on November 21, 2025. Stroll through the zoo and enjoy an illuminated holiday wonderland of animal … [Read more...] about ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo $7 plus free nights
