Whether you’re looking to enjoy some holiday cheer this season, trying to find the next venue for your holiday party, or just want to check out a new space, here are 10 incredible holiday pop-ups and revamped bars to get your fill of festive fun! Keep reading for the full list!
1. Santa Baby Pop Up at Deuce’s Major League Bar
Wrigleyville’s favorite over-the-top Christmas pop-up is back in Chicago again this year. Known for its over the top decorations, the immersive Santa Baby Pop-Up has once again taken over Deuce’s Major League Bar covering the space head-to-toe and wall-to-wall with an exorbitant amount of Christmas decorations.
Guests can expect a spectacular explosion of Christmas decor and photo-ops galore alongside an equally impressive array of extraordinary themed drinks and snacks that make up a sublime Christmas menu.
More information can be found here.
2. Winter Wonderland at Jo Jo’s Shake Bar
Another place you can rely on for a magical seasonal pop-up is JoJo’s Shake Bar. Following the success of their yearly autumnal Pumpkin Patch Pop Up, JoJo’s Shake Bar is back at again to host an outdoor winter wonderland. Covering a 5,000-square-foot outdoor space in River North, and Naperville, offering an incredible food and beverage experience is a food fanatic’s Christmas paradise. Cookie flights, spiked ciders, towering hot chocolates, and exclusive The Winter Wonderland Shake, like the Peppermint Party Hot Chocolate: Snowflake Marshmallow, Chocolate S’more, Peppermint Pretzel, and Toasted Marshmallow are just a few of the sublime options down at JoJo’s Winter Wonderland.
More information can be found here.
3. Jack Frost Winter Fest
The annual Jack Frost Winter Village spans a 2-ace field on the historic Goose Island. Offering a 100% outdoor Christmas extravaganza from the same team who gave us Jack’s Pumpkin Patch. This time the field has been kitted out with over a million twinkling lights and hundreds of sprawling evergreen trees creating an exhilarating Christmas tree trail.
There are also fantastic photo opportunities and seasonal scenes so you can grab those memorable Instagram moments. As the largest, and only, evergreen Christmas tree trail in downtown Chicago, Jack Frost Winter Village provides the perfect family trip out. Open from December 3rd to January 1st, this years event features activities like axe throwing, winter tubing, ice skating and other joyous winter activities.
You can find out more information here.
4. The Nutcracker Pop-Up
Open through December 31st, this Gold Coast pop-up is filled with festive decorations, plenty of holiday music, and endless drinks (like a Christmas cocktail flight) available at two fully stocked bars. It does become a 21 and older spot after 6 PM but if you’re looking to enjoy a charcuterie board with the family, you can still grab a ticket and make a reservation at the decked-out bar before then.
Address: 100 E. Chestnut St.
5. Rudolph’s Rooftop at London House Chicago
Head to a one-of-a-kind Rudolph-themed hangout up on the rooftop of London House Chicago at the second-annual ‘Rudolph’s Rooftop’ winter experience. Located on the hotel’s elegant tri-level rooftop bar, the festive holiday event is now it’s back for a new winter wonderland experience.
Enjoy drinks and revelry high up on the 22nd floor at 85 East Upper Wacker Drive. In addition to some of the most unique sweeping panoramic views of Chicago over-the-top Christmas decor, there are also rentable outdoor igloos and holiday-themed cocktails waiting to be enjoyed.
More information can be found here.
6. 8 Crazy Nights at The Graystone Tavern
It’s not just Christmas-themed pop-ups you’ll find in Chicago. Back by popular demand, The Graystone Tavern has resurrected its 8 Crazy Nights: A Hanukkah Bar for 2022. The bright blue bar has emerged from the swarms of red and green with the objective of giving Wrigleyville’s festive season a vibrant new identity. The bar is commemorating the Jewish holiday in its spacious and enclosed new weatherproof patio with over 8,000 blue and white lights and Hanukkah ball lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
The food menu includes favorites like Latkes, Matzo Ball Soup, Brisket Platter, as well as decadent Boozy Jelly Donuts made with housemade vodka-infused jelly. Make sure to order the 18-foot giant menorah “shotski,” starting at $24, so all your friends can take a shot at once. There will also be a photo booth with Hanukkah Props where you can mark your crazy night out with hilarious snapshots.
More information can be found here.
7. Elf’d Up
Elf fans, this one is for you! Stretch Bar & Grill is transforming its space into an Elf fans dream come true. The restaurant will be filled with tributes to the iconic Christmas movie, complete with complimentary cookies, themed drinks (like the Angry Elf Martini), and menu items calling back to the movie–like Buddy’s Breakfast Pasta and many more surprises. Open now through January 1st, head on over before Buddy moves out.
Address: 3485 N. Clark St.
8. The Christmas Inn at the Hubbard Inn
The holiday season is alive and kicking and Hubbard Inn has fully transformed into The Christmas Inn to make your holidays on Hubbard Street merry and bright! Experience 3 levels of holiday bliss with festive cocktails, Instagrammable moments and live entertainment at this limited-time holiday pop-up!
Each floor has its own Christmas theme, with the classic magical Christmas on the first floor, 60’s ‘Kitchmas’ vibes on the second floor, and the third floor Christmas apocalypse.
From brunches and mixology classes to holiday trivia nights and paint and sip classes, there is entertainment scheduled throughout each week at Hubbard Inn this holiday season!
9. Winter Wonderland at The Godfrey Hotel
Another fantastic holiday pop-up exists at The Godfrey Hotel! The annual winter wonderland event taking place on the iconic indoor-outdoor rooftop has returned for its seventh year in a row. The hotel lounge’s large fourth-floor terrace has been transformed for another year, turning it into an astounding outdoor oasis. Guests can cozy up in one of the many heated, clear-domes igloos on the rooftop terrace or rent an extra-large igloo for a special winter wonderland experience. Outdoor firepits, patio heaters, s’mores, Christmas cocktails, and sensational views of the Chicago skyline offer a sensational way to celebrate the holiday season.
More information can be found here.
10. The Christmas Club
Known to all as the original Wrigleyville Christmas pop-up, the annual festive holiday pop-up, the Christmas Club is back again, taking over a total of two floors, three party rooms, and three bars. Enjoy themed holiday cocktails, and delicious snacks, along with a chance to meet Santa in person! A DJ keeps the party going with classic tunes, plus, the fun bar is already open for business this season!
Address: 3460 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL
[Featured image from Instagram.com / @santababybar]