With the weekends affording many of us time to take a break from our work lives, we must fill them with memories. Whether exploring the parks, spending valuable time with friends and family, or enjoying an event somewhere in Chicago, weekends are designed to be enjoyed! Luckily, in such a sensational city like Chicago, options are abundant. To ensure you can make your weekend fun, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend, December 13th–15th.
Andrew Bird’s Gezelligheid Holiday Concerts Return to Chicago
Grammy-nominated artist Andrew Bird is set to perform this weekend in Chicago. His annual Gezelligheid Holiday Concerts are returning to the Fourth Presbyterian Church for seven nights, featuring a mix of instrumental violin pieces, holiday classics, and fan favorites.
📍 Location: Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: December 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13
Head to Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake
Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake event returns with even more spectacular attractions this year. Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake event is set to return with its most impressive display yet, running from November 29 to January 5. This year’s celebration promises to be the biggest and brightest edition, featuring an immersive holiday light show against the stunning backdrop of Chicago’s skyline.
Visitors can look forward to an array of exciting attractions, including larger light displays, a first-ever holiday drone show, and fireworks. The event will also offer artisan vendors, Santa visits, ax throwing, diverse food and beverage options, and cozy bonfire pits.
While the holiday light display is free for all to enjoy, some attractions will require tickets. Those interested in participating in the ticketed events can purchase tickets online through Navy Pier’s official website.
📍 Location: Navy Pier, Chicago
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is back to memorize Chicagoans starting this weekend. Choreographed by two-time Tony Award® winner Christopher Wheeldon, the Joffrey Ballet performs the classic story of an immigrant family during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The Lyric Opera Orchestra will accompany the show, conducted by Scott Speck, Music Director of The Joffrey Ballet.
📍 Location: Lyric Opera House, 20 North Upper Wacker Drive, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: December 6–28, 2024
Festive Holiday Shopping in West Town
Of course, shopping is one of the best things to do this weekend! West Town Chamber of Commerce is set to launch its second annual “It’s a Wonderful West Town” holiday promotion from December 7th to December 24th. This expanded event celebrates local businesses and kicks off with a “Sip & Shop” extravaganza on December 7th. Shoppers can enjoy exclusive promotions and live carolers and enter to win giveaways by spending $25 at participating stores. Look out for snowflake vinyl decals and string lights marking the 25 participating businesses throughout the festive season.
📍 Location: West Town, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: December 7th – December 24th, 2024
Maggie Daley Park Ice Ribbon Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The Maggie Daley Park Ice Ribbon is set to open for its 10th winter season on November 15. This quarter-mile winding track, twice the length of an average ice rink, offers breathtaking views of Chicago’s lakefront and skyline. Skaters can bring their own skates or rent them on-site. To avoid long lines and secure your spot on this iconic Chicago winter destination, it’s recommended to make reservations in advance.
📍 Location: Maggie Daley Park, Downtown Chicago
🗓️ Date: November 15, 2024—until 2025
Attend a holiday brunch
Wonderverse has cooked up a festive brunch series to bring the entire family joy this season. From celebrating Mariah Carey’s iconic tunes to Santa’s magical brunch with Ms. Claus, this lineup is packed with holiday cheer!
📍 Location: Wonderverse Chicago
🗓️ Dates: December 8, 2024 to December 29, 2024
🎫 Tickets here
Chicago Botanic Garden’s Enchanting Lightscape Returns
The Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lightscape is back for its fifth year, offering a 1.3-mile illuminated trail filled with dazzling installations from around the world. This must-do winter bucket list activity immerses visitors in a world of light, color, and sound, featuring new works like the mesmerizing 5-foot illuminated lilies and the Sea of Light with thousands of LED balls. The beloved 110-foot Winter Cathedral also returns to delight visitors.
📍 Location: Chicago Botanic Garden
🗓️ Dates: November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Surround yourself in holiday magic at Winterland
The festive Winterland experience takes you into a magical winter wonderland just in time for the holiday season. From November 22, 2024, until January 5, 2025, be surrounded by the joy of Christmas at every turn at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Enjoy a Polar Express-themed train, large Nutcrackers, a snow globe, and so much more! Grab your tickets now! -Melissa Maynard
Address: Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL, USA, 60611
🗓️ Dates: November 22 – January 5
Sip cocktails at a speakeasy in a secluded lounge
We love the allure of a cool, hidden gem. While there are many spots in Chicago, you should check out upstairs at Nisos this weekend in Chicago/ The Lounge is an alluring, hidden cocktail lounge (hint: look for the bookshelf) tucked away on the second floor of Nisos Prime. The 2,000-square-foot room offers a wondrous, carefree late-night speakeasy full of animation and melody Wednesdays—Saturdays while transporting guests to the nightlife of the Mediterranean.
Check out the Hamptons of the Midwest
Chicago actually has its own romantic and bucolic destination: Harbor Country, haphazardly labeled “The Hamptons of the Midwest.” Harbor Country is a region in Southwestern Michigan. It’s a favored weekend getaway destination for those looking to relish in a tranquil retreat with beaches, bed and breakfasts, and wineries.
Have elegant high tea at Bar Pendry
Be pampered for the day and have an elegant tea experience at a luxury boutique hotel. Chicago’s Bar Pendry will add a seasonal touch to its Sunday tea service offerings, perfect for welcoming in the warmer weather.
Check out MSI’s James Bond exhibit
Chicago’s beloved Museum of Science and Industry has opened a temporary new James Bond exhibit adding to the wonderful array of exhibitions already taking place across the city.
The new exhibit, titled 007 Science: Inventing the World of James Bond showcases the science and technology behind the world’s longest-running movie franchise. Opened on Thursday, March 7th, it is now the first-ever official exhibition to focus on the world of history’s most famous fictional spy.
Read more about the Museum of Science and Industry’s James Bond exhibit.
Grab Bottomless Brunch
Chicago food is seriously on another level, and nothing makes that more apparent than the city’s endlessly delicious list of bottomless brunch options. This popular weekend activity typically involves breakfast delicacies, bottomless mimosas, and perhaps endless Bloody Marys if you feel extra spicy.
It’s one of the best things to do in Chicago this weekend, centered around festivity and fun. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up a few of the best spots to enjoy an exciting bottomless brunch in Chicago!
See ‘Harry Potter And The Cursed Child’
Potterheads rejoice! The world’s most famous wizard will be heading to a Chicago Broadway theater today!
The Tony Award-winning play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will embark on its first-ever North American tour, debuting in Chicago from September to February 2025. The play debuted at London’s Palace Theatre in 2016 and on Broadway in April 2018.
Escape the city to a charming town for a weekend getaway
The small town is a storybook setting with historic 1800s architecture that is dazzling as you stroll Main Street, coined “Helluva Half Mile,” which sprawls with more than 125 independently owned business shops. It will make you feel as if you have fallen straight into the scene of an Emily Henry novel.
Dine at one of the best new restaurants
Deciding where to dine on a Friday or Saturday night can be daunting. Whether you’re with a group of friends or having a date night, everyone is opinionated when selecting a restaurant. From arbitrary TikTok recommendations to Instagram reels, narrowing down the Chicago dining scene is easier said than done. That’s why we’ve done it for you with this unequivocal list of the best new restaurants in Chicago you need to try this weekend! Now, let’s hope there is a reservation open.