The holiday season is in full swing, and there are an array of holiday and Christmas events for kids in Chicago! Whether you’re visiting the city for the holidays or are looking for something to do with your kids, we have some ideas for you!
There’s so much to explore, from Christmas shows to ice skating! Here’s where to discover the magic of the season and have a delightful holiday adventure with your little ones in Chicago!
Kids Cookie Decorating Workshop at The Table at Crate
The Table at Crate is hosting two festive Kids’ Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshops designed to add a sprinkle of magic to the season.
On Friday, December 20th, and Sunday, December 22nd, young chefs can put on their aprons and join in the fun from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a delightful time decorating holiday cookies. Children will have the opportunity to unleash their creativity as they decorate delicious cookies featuring a variety of colorful and festive toppings, including snowmen and reindeer.
After the workshop, families can continue the holiday celebration with a family lunch at the restaurant. Tickets are $15 per child and can be purchased here.
Attend The Nutcracker Ballet
Take your kids to see Joffrey Ballet’s critically acclaimed reimagined classic, The Nutcracker, by Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. One of the most coveted Chicago Christmas shows, Wheeldon’s American Tale relocates Marie and her immigrant family to the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, where Marie embarks on a whirlwind adventure with the Nutcracker Prince.
Experience Nordic-Inspired Holiday Magic at Loews Hotels in Chicago
This winter, Loews Chicago Hotel and Loews O’Hare Hotel are offering exclusive holiday suites that promise a magical seasonal escape. At Loews Chicago Hotel, guests can immerse themselves in the Nordic Night Lights package, featuring a suite decorated to evoke the Northern Lights. The Arctic Dreams package offers seasonal elements without the full suite decoration for those seeking a more budget-friendly option. Meanwhile, Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel presents the Eat, Drink & Be Cozy package in their lavishly decorated Presidential Suite, complete with festive amenities and airport shuttle service.
📍 Location: Chicago and Rosemount, Illinois
🗓️ Dates: Holiday season 2024
Check out Winterland at Navy Pier
The magic of the holidays is here, and you can celebrate that at Chicago’s newest festive experience this year! From November 21, 2024, through January 5, 2025, visit Winterland to feel like you’ve stepped into a Christmas dreamland. There’s a giant snow globe perfect for this year’s Christmas card, a 16-foot Polar Express-inspired train, massive Nutcracker soldiers, and so much more. Grab tickets now before it sells out! -Melissa Maynard
Go ice skating
From Maggie Daley Park’s quarter-mile skating ribbon to the McCormick Tribune ice rink, there are a ton of spots to take your kids this holiday season. It’s one of the essential winter activities to do with your kids that help combat the gloom of the season.
See the illuminating ZooLights
Lincoln Park Zoo’s much-loved annual ZooLights event has returned, and it’s the perfect spot for a family activity. From a one-of-a-kind light maze to an enchanted forest, this is one of the Christmas events for kids in Chicago that will not disappoint. They can meander among butterflies, flowers, mushrooms, and dripping lights with whimsical music and a magical ambiance—it’s sure to induce laughter and elation from your little ones.
Ride a holiday CTA train around Chicago
Santa’s holiday train trip around Chicago is always one of the most eagerly anticipated activities providing affordable fun for people all over the city. The Chicago Transit Authority’s train and bus are decorated inside and out with festive decorations and thousands of lights to make them glow as they glide and glimmer around Chicago.
Visit The Great Tree in Macy’s Walnut Room
Macy’s Walnut Room has become synonymous with the holidays with a towering 45-foot Great Tree over the years. The holiday setup changes every year but is always a bright spot during the season. The historic restaurant brings all the holiday cheer with an incredible setup, infusing the entire space with unbeatable magic.
Catch a festive Candlelight concert
Your little ones can experience unique holiday concerts that are both a feast for the eyes and the ears. The festive Candlelight Holiday series returns to Chicago just in time for the festive season with more tributes to iconic holiday tunes. From popular Christmas carols to “Jingle Bells” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” recreated in the classical form, these melodies embody Christmas’s spirit and make for great outings with the whole family.