It’s almost Turkey Day! As the annual celebration approaches, here are a few fantastic ways to celebrate the holidays! Keep on reading for all the info on how to make the seasons gathering a fun one.
Watch Chicago’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy’s Thanksgiving parade is all fine and good, but wouldn’t you rather spend time with your fellow Chicagoans this year? Nearly half a million people show up to watch the parade’s floats, equestrian riders, dancers, and balloons as they travel down State St. Take a vacation from the TV and head downtown for a magnificent celebration at The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade. Check out our guide to the parade here.
Order out this year!
You don’t have to cook every single meal to make Thanksgiving special. Kick your feet up (not on the table, please) and let someone else take care of cooking this year. Many Chicago restaurants have special Thanksgiving pre fixe menus to feed your whole family. A few good options include Maple & Ash, Big Jones, and Prime & Provisions.
Let someone else do the heavy pastry lifting and order a pie to go.
Baking can be fun, but when you’ve got 20+ people to feed, it gets hectic fast. Give yourself a break this year by ordering an expertly made pie instead of making one. We recommend Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, Hoosier Mama Pie Company, or First Slice Pie Cafe. (We won’t tell if you want to pass it off as your own.)
Grab a dozen 6 oz cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth
The famous Levain Bakery is now open in West Loop. Famous for serving up gigantic 6 oz cookies, the delightful treats will surely make a wonderful addition to your dessert table.
Shop small at Small Business Saturday.
Help support local efforts by shopping at the annual Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce Small Business Saturday 5K. The annual event started virtually in 2020 and is hosting its second in-person event. Born out of the pandemic, this is a chance to support your local shops.
Participants in the 5k will get a race map, a Team Wicker Park or Team Bucktown race shirt, and coupons for participating local businesses. Hosted on Black Friday, take a guided run through the area and shop over 50 local entrepreneurs on a 14-mile stretch.
Support local artisans by shopping at the Christkindlmarket.
The annual Christkindlmarket features tons of local artisans and one-of-a-kind gifts you’ll never find in any Black Friday deal. Plus, there’s amazing food, fun events, and delicious hot chocolate to enjoy! This year both the Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza and the Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville are returning, along a Aurora location– all of which will again be welcoming guests into villages to peruse handmade gifts whilst enjoying German food and beverages beneath the snowflakes and glistening lights.
Go ice skating at Maggie Daley Park.‘
The ice ribbon at Maggie Daley Park has officially reopened, offering a unique skating experience. The ribbon loops over the rolling landscape in a circle and is twice the distance of a regular lap around a traditional skating rink. With the Chicago skyline in the background, guests can enjoy alpine skating in the middle of the city! Admission is free and skate rentals are available for $13-$15.
Or, try out any of the other skating rinks in the area.
From Hyde Park’s Midway Plaisance skating rink to the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, many of the seasonal skating rinks are already open for visitors. Take a spin around any of the fantastic winter wonderlands and read through the full list here.
Get in the holiday spirit with a trip to Millennium Park’s iconic Christmas tree
Christmas came early this year! After enjoying a meal with family and friends, bundle up and head over to see Millennium Park’s Christmas Tree in person. It’s a great way to get a head start on holiday cheer.
Head to a cozy bar for celebratory drinks
As winter continues to ramp up, warm up with a mulled wine or hot cider at a heated rooftop bar. There are so many great ones in the Chicagoland area. There are a bunch of igloos, ski lodges, fire pits, and many more to choose from, coming in all different shapes and sizes. Read the full list here.
[Featured photo via: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade]