Make it a November to remember!
Halloween has passed us by and the big holiday season is revving up for a festive time in Chicago. After Covid-19 mitigation measures hindered our holiday fun the last couple of years, this year feels like the first time we’ll be able to enjoy everything with maximum enthusiasm once again.
Our favorite festive activities are coming back bigger and better paving the way for an extra special November in Chicago. Whether it’s watching the greenery turn different shades of orange, celebrating Thanksgiving at an outdoor patio, or enjoying one of Chicago’s excellent light shows, here are our top November activities to do in and around Chicago!
1. Watch the Christmas Tree lights go on in Millenium Park
First of all, if there is one date to have in your diary it is the day Millenium Park begins to embrace the Christmas spirit. Yes, some will still complain that November is too early to be celebrating Christmas but when Chicago’s “official” Christmas tree appears few can do little but be imbued with festive cheer.
Every year, the City of Chicago puts up a huge Christmas tree in Millenium Park with thousands of twinkling lights and ornaments. This year the lights go on at 6:30 pm on Friday, November 18. This year’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will once again be an in-person event with various viewing locations on huge screens throughout the park.
More information can be found here.
2. Get in the Christmas spirit at Chicago’s cherished Christkindlmarket
During the winter months, those annual traditions like Christkindlmarket are our shining lights in times of darkness. As Chicago’s notorious winter sweeps through the city the festive season counters it with jubilance and cheer. Which made the absence of sipping Glühwein in Daley Plaza during times of Covid all the harder to swallow. But worry not, the 26th edition of the German-inspired annual Christmas market is back again on Friday, November 18th, and plans to be as big as ever!
Prepare for the smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, hot spiced wine, and the magic of festive music and glistening lights all in the coziest of atmospheres.
More information can be found here.
3. Don’t miss the Magnificent Mile’s annual lights festival
The following day, Saturday, November 19th is the day that over one million lights will begin illuminating The Magnificent Mile for the holiday season. The stretch of Michigan Avenue between Wacker Drive and Oak Street is one of the most magical places to embrace the festive cheer with more than 200 glistening trees offering a phenomenal spectacle in the heart of Chicago.
According to the festival’s Chairman Gail Spreen the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival “is the third-largest parade in the country, televised in over 91 percent of the United States.
The event-filled Saturday begins at 11:00 am starting at Lights Festival Lane (401 North Michigan Avenue) with a free-admission outdoor festival. A festive thoroughfare of booths and family activities, including photos with Santa Claus, a holiday DJ, and more will be taking place for any crowds that come out to embrace the festive cheer before the fun-filled day culminates in the iconic Tree-Lighting Parade which will take off down North Michigan Avenue at 5:30 pm.
More information can be found here.
Potterheads, prepare for a first-of-its-kind Harry Potter™ interactive experience that will inspire your inner wizard from Friday, November 11 onwards!
Wizards of all ages will be enthralled with this hands-on adventure. There will be plenty of magical moments to enjoy in a massive 30,000-square-foot space when Harry Potter™: Magic at Play unveils at the Water Tower Place at 835 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, at the corner of North Michigan Avenue and East Pearson Street.
5-9. Enjoy Chicago’s incredible array of light shows
Talking of magic, November is the month that many, many mind-blowing light shows begin illuminating various parts of Chicagoland. Every year more and more dazzling light shows pop up in extraordinary locations all around Illinois. Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Gardens, and Lincoln Park Zoo are just a few that guarantee an extra special festive spectacle. Gorgeous natural backdrops, cutting-edge light art installations, and festive cheer all combine providing some magical multi-sensory events like nothing else. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
- ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
- Let It Shine at Northbrook Court
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Head to our list of 10 magical must-see light shows in and around Chicago for more.
10. Immerse yourself in The Art of the Future at Holographic Art Gallery
Another incredible November event taking place this month can be found at Navy Pier. At Verse: The Art of the Future art and technology come together allowing you to step right into the metaverse in a digital art exhibition featuring augmented reality holograms and artwork by top-selling artists from the burgeoning world of NFTs.
With the help of an AR headset, smartphone, or tablet, each guest will experience their own reality in the same activation area (like a silent disco for holograms!). Verse provides an introduction to the people, technology, and stories that are shaping this disruptive evolution of the art world.
Get your tickets for Verse: The Art of the Future in Chicago here!
11. Immerse yourself in the mind of Vincent Van Gogh
Have you ever dreamt of stepping into a painting? Though a little out of the way in Michigan’s Grand Rapids, we can’t help but strongly suggest you take the short drive and do just that.
At Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience guests can take an awe-inspiring journey into the incomparable universe of one of the greatest artistic geniuses of the 19th century. Explore his life, his work, and his secrets as never before through cutting-edge 360-degree digital projections, a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a uniquely atmospheric light and sound show.
This unique experience brought to you by Exhibition Hub has already thrilled 2 million visitors in the USA, in New York, Atlanta, Washington DC, and Boston, among other cities like London. Become completely immersed in the works of art around you, and feel the shift in reality as you dive deep into the world created by Van Gogh’s brush strokes.
Grab tickets to Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience here.
12. Take to the ice at Maggie Daley Park
Back in the heart of Chicago, there’s no better way to glide into winter than with some winter skating. The ice skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is one of Chicago’s best winter-time activities offering skaters the chance to experience “alpine in the city” skating around a quarter-mile rink in Millennium Park.
The winding ribbon of ice curves up and down around a 40-foot climbing wall with the city’s stunning skyline in the backdrop. It’s a must for your winter bucket list. Reservations cost $5 for those who have skates and $16-$20 for those who rent depending on the date.
More information can be found here.
13-16. Be captivated by a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s sublime Candlelight Concert series offers breathtaking spectacles throughout the year but this fall there are some extra special concerts taking place in extraordinary venues all over the city.
Flickering candles and melodic sounds combine phenomenally to create magnetic atmospheres in some of Chicago’s most unique spaces with surreal acoustics. Here are some of our favorite Candlelight concerts taking place this month:
- Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer at Music Box Theatre on November 9
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyoncé at Stan Mansion on November 10
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Stan Mansion on November 17
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More at Theater on the Lake on November 26
See the full list of candlelight concerts taking place in Chicago here.
17. Check out the interactive multisensory ‘Prince’ experience
Music lovers, casual fans, and superfans of legendary musician Prince can now rejoice in the dynamic, multisensory, first-of-its-kind immersive experience, making its worldwide debut in Chicago right now through January.
Superfly and The Prince Estate are collaborating to present Prince: The Immersive Experience, a multi-faceted musical universe revolving around the iconic artist, inviting guests to be completely immersed in the exhilarating, singular talent of a superstar who brought us hits like “When Doves Cry,” “Raspberry Beret,” and “Purple Rain.”
More information and tickets for Prince: The Immersive Experience can be found here.
18. Revel in the raucous The Roar: A Prohibition Era Speakeasy
If Prince has you recalling your bygone days, go back in time even further to Chicago’s Prohibition Era at The Roar on Rush! A lively Speakeasy that lights the way to a hidden 4-room cocktail experience where you will meet vibrant figures from the elaborate web of a Roaring Twenties bootlegging operation. Each room tells a story and is paired with a cocktail tasting from Prohibition times! Afterwards, take a seat in the Speakeasy for more cocktails, food, and live music with special performances. Break out your best flapper dresses and linen jackets, this cocktail party at The Roar is not to be missed!
19-21. Head down to the Grand Cabaret After Dark speakeasy
If you really want a buzz we suggest you head down to Porkchop’s speakeasy “Grand Cabaret After Dark” in West Loop this month for a roster of rip-roaring revelry.
On Fridays’s STRIPPED provides a decadent and debaucherous night of burlesque while on Saturdays the dynamic burlesque performances continue courtesy of BimBamBoom for Peep Show Burlesque.
Both action-packed shows are no-holds-barred adult fun that makes for the weekend night adventure and then Boozy BBQ Drag Brunches on Sundays are there to help you soothe the Sunday scaries.
Check out all the chaos going on at Porkchop’s Grand Cabaret After Dark here!
22. Revel in the pandemonium of a Drunk Shakespeare show
Another brilliant experience comes in the form of a live Drunk Shakespeare show. Taking place on a stage in a hidden speakeasy located behind the Chicago Theater, guests will find a glam cocktail bar and library with over 10,000 books. Five classically-trained actors meet as members of “The Drunk Shakespeare Society”. One of them has had at least 5 shots of whiskey and then they (quite over-confidently) attempt to perform a major role in a Shakespearean play!
Hilarity and mayhem ensue while the four sober actors try and keep the script on track. Every show is different depending on who is drinking… and what they’re drinking!
Grab tickets to a Drunk Shakespeare show here.
23. Chuckle away at Chicago comedy show
We could all do with a chuckle after the tumultuous last couple of years and luckily there’s no place better for that than at a Chicago comedy show.
At Laugh Factory Chicago some of today’s biggest names and local comedians are delivering something for every taste and style throughout November.
Grab tickets to a show at Laugh Factory Chicago here.
24. Enjoy an intimate live jazz show at Le Piano
When it comes to live music, few places offer a better jazz experience than Chicago. There are so many wonderful places to see live jazz in its rawest form here in the Windy City. Alongside esteemed venues like South Loop’s The Jazz Showcase, and Uptown’s Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, Le Piano has emerged as a phenomenal new jazz hideout.
In the middle of Le Piano sits a magnificent grand piano where some of Chicago’s most talented pianists and jazz performers come to play. Here you will find a mind-blowing musical experience merging dinner and intimate performances. Immersive Live Jazz & Dinner for Two and Immersive Live Jazz & Cocktails both ensure memorable nights of fine dining and drinking cocktails in a truly vivacious venue.
Grab tickets for Immersive Live Jazz & Dinner for Two here and Immersive Live Jazz & Cocktails here.
25. Drink cocktails at the new 360 CHICAGO bar up in the clouds
Talking of cocktails, a new bar has opened 1,000 feet above Chicago up on the 94th floor of the former John Hancock Center. European design meets Chicago’s neighborhoods at 360 CHICAGO’s CloudBar. The 18-seat lounge bar celebrates the 77 boroughs with a locally inspired menu, and illustrations from renowned Chicago street artist— Lauren Asta.
Sip on an Orange Line or opt for the Gold Coast Manhattan and take in the breathtaking views at the $2 million lounge this month.
26. See out patio season at Chicago’s largest patio
Back down at ground level, another place to grab a drink this fall is West Loop’s Recess. Despite winter on the horizon, it’s still very much patio season in Chicago and you’ll likely agree Chicago doesn’t play around when it comes to patio season. Rain or shine, if a patio is opened somewhere in the Windy City, guaranteed Chicagoans are out there clinking drinks. We’ve rounded up the very best patios and beer gardens in and around Chicago to give you an essential range of options but if there is one that’s ideal for soaking up the last of the sunshine it has to be Recess’s gigantic patio bar.
Nestled within 30 shipping containers on a West Loop corner, Recess is home to a cozy amalgamation of bars, food stands, and cabana houses within a 14,500 -square-foot space that holds the title of the largest patio in Chicago. The stacked shipping containers give it an unusual reclaimed industrial vibe while the fusion of plant life and vibrant murals make it a brilliant hideout all year round. There are few better places to grab a drink this fall!
27. Snuggle up in a rooftop igloo at Godfrey Hotel
Whilst Chicago’s largest patio certainly offers a unique experience, once the weather turns it might be time to seek refuge in a cozy den. At The Godfrey Hotel’s rooftop you can enjoy being outdoors on an open rooftop whilst enjoying the warmth from within a transparent igloo.
Chicago’s largest indoor-outdoor rooftop with a retractable roof has the versatility to transform into any type of venue it desires. Luckily that means that retracting the roof officially makes it an outdoor space where fine dining and extraordinary views can be enjoyed. Heated igloos of various sizes have been erected for a winter wonderland that includes fire pits, fire dancing, live DJs, s’mores, and, of course, themed cocktails.
More information about Godfrey Hotel’s winter wonderland can be found here.
28. Head up to London House Chicago’s famed 22nd-level terrace
The luxury hotel’s elegant tri-level rooftop bar will once again be decked out with excessive holiday décor for its over-the-top Rudolph’s Rooftop experience from Friday, November 18.
In addition to some of the most unique sweeping panoramic views of Chicago, guests will find rentable outdoor igloos and an ice bar selling holiday-themed cocktails awaiting them on the famed 22nd-level terrace.
Extra-special photo ops in front of the stunning vistas of the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue offer the chance to snap some unforgettable holiday season memories while reveling in the iconic winter wonderland.
More information can be found here.
29. See Art on the MART’s fall projections
The same day Christmas events like Rudoph’s Rooftop start to open for the holiday season, many magical fall experiences come to a close. One of these is the fall schedule of projections on Merchandise Mart. Holding the title of the “largest permanent digital art projection in the world”, Art on theMART attracts thousands to the Riverwalk and Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago every week from spring through fall by transforming the 2.5-acre river façade.
Taking place nightly at 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm, 34 digital projectors will be displaying the fall schedule with ‘Trap Moulin Rouge’ by Jasmin Taylor and ‘Love Letters’ by Yuge Zhou through Friday, November 18. Both shows are presented in alignment with the City of Chicago’s 2022 Year of Chicago Dance.
30. Peruse the magnificent street art murals of Chicago
The consequence of a thriving artistic community in Chicago does not stop at its many museums and visual creations like Art on the MART. Today the street art and graffiti scene in Chicago is alive and kicking more than ever before with new pieces popping up all over the city every week. Some of these are so esteemed that they’ve embedded themselves in the very fabric of Chicago and are now part and parcel of the Windy City’s identity.
With more formality and respect from the local community street art has thrived in Chicago over the last decade and with the events of the last two years many, many, astounding new murals have gone up of late. Today murals do more than just provide an extraordinary spectacle for our eyes. They pay homage to icons, fight for racial equality, celebrate different heritages, and honor the essential workers of our societies during turbulent times.
Hunting down the many masterpieces in our great city is a rewarding experience any time of the year. Many of these wonderful murals reside in West Town in the mile-long street art corridor in Chicago’s Fulton Market meatpacking district known as the B_Line. With the West Town Street Art Walking Tour run by Tours By Native you can enjoy an immersive tour that will engage the senses like never before!
Grab tickets to the West Town Street Art Walking Tour here.
30-32. Savor sensational food samples on a food tour
For foodies who prefer to sample tasty delicacies over perusing extraordinary street art, there is a range of fantastic food tours for all manner of foodies.
Taste all of Chicago’s classic eats on a four-hour guided bicycle tour courtesy of America’s longest-running city bicycle tour company with Bikes, Bites, and Brews: Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour. The journey is 14 miles in total (traversed at a nice leisurely pace) and includes a slice of deep-dish pizza, a gourmet brownie, a Chicago-style hot dog, and a few samples of Chicago’s legendary craft beer!
Alternatively, you can sign up for the ultimate foodie adventure in Chicago’s historic River North with Lonely Planet Experiences: River North Historical Food Tour. Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems and the best spots for some of the city’s best-loved dishes. This tour will leave you filled with delicious local foods as well as some insider knowledge of the city’s culinary history and culture.
Despite having a kaleidoscopic food scene offering all manner of savory and sweet treats, nothing in Chicago has truly celebrated donuts in all their glory, until now. The Underground Donut Tour is Chicago’s first-ever donut tour and was born to give those who truly enjoy donuts the perfect excuse to sample the Windy City’s very best. Tours include such favorites as Do-Rite Donuts, Firecakes, Stans, and Doughnut Vault as well as some lesser-known spots.
Grab tickets to the Bikes, Bites, and Brews tour here.
Grab tickets to a River North Historical Food Tour here.
Grab tickets to a donut tour here.
33. Head out of the city and see Illinois’ natural spectacles
If you’re one who enjoys leaving town once in a while to be surrounded by nature then heading out to the quiet of Illinois’ natural beauty during fall makes for an unforgettable experience.
Though our state may not boast wonders with the universal magnitude of the Grand Canyon nor the grandiose reputation of Niagra Falls, Illinois is teeming with diverse ecological landscapes that transform into incredible spectacles this time of the year.
From monolithic marvels to cascading waterfalls, here are 7 natural wonders of Illinois that you can visit while they’re about to peak:
- Garden of the Gods: Saline County
- Wildcat Canyon in Starved Rock State Park: La Salle County
- Cache River State Natural Area: Johnson County
- Cave-In-Rock: Hardin County
- The Pomona Natural Bridge: Jackson County
- Cascade Falls in Matthiessen State Park: La Salle County
- Bork Falls in Ferne Clyffe State Park: Johnson County
More information can be found here.
34. Stay in a Starved Rock Getaway cabin
One of the aforementioned spots, Starved Rock State Park, has just opened a selection of minimalistic cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing guests to wake up fully immersed in the wilderness.
Located in lush landscapes and with minimalistic yet comfortable designs, they offer the perfect escape for those wanting to disconnect from busy city lives with restorative stays in the middle of nature.
Undoubtedly one of our state’s most impressive natural spectacles, Starved Rock offers over 13 miles of hiking trails, numerous cascading waterfalls, and 18 different canyons.
35. Catch a glimpse of the Leonids Meteor Shower
Talking of mother nature’s creations, The Leonids are one of the many natural wonders to light up the sky each year and this year the Leonid meteor shower will peak in the dark hours between November 17 and November 18.
The Leonid meteor showers occur every year in November. Earth’s orbit crosses the orbit of Comet Tempel-Tuttle, leaving behind a trail of debris that vaporizes in the atmosphere. Stargazers can expect to see fireballs, which are bigger, brighter, and last longer than the average meteor, as well as earth grazers, low-flying meteors with long colorful tails that traverse close to the horizon.
36. Gaze at the stars at the Adler Planetarium for free on a Wednesday
If you’re in awe of all things astronomy the Adler Planetarium, which reopened this year after a two-year hiatus, now boasts a brand new telescope in the Doane Observatory holding the title of the largest public telescope in the Chicago area.
As well as a new observation park, guests will notice the planetarium’s shiny new dome roof which has been restored with brand-new copper tiles giving the 80-year-old dome an iconic new glow. The best news, however, is that Illinois residents can enter for free every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm provided they bring proof of residency.
More information and tickets can be found at adlerplanetarium.org.
37. Discover the Windy City’s small pockets of Eden
Or course, Chicago is no far friend from nature and there are many places you can get back in touch with Mother Nature all over Chicagoland. The Lakefront, lush parks, and incredible hiking trails offer great natural experiences but Chicago also has numerous secret gardens hidden across the city. With Chicago about to transition from autumn to winter our city’s many parks are offering a stunning array of colors at the moment.
Read our full article on 10 of the best spots around the city to stop and smell the roses here.
38. Try a mystery picnic in Chicago
To spice up any park or garden experience in the city you can book an exciting mystery picnic experience. This self-guided food adventure is the perfect way to explore Chicago’s best neighborhoods and avoid the crowds! Starting with a picnic basket, have fun solving personally curated clues and riddles sent to your smartphone that’ll take you on a journey to collect your special gourmet picnic food bit by bit.
Each clue you solve will lead you closer to your next picnic food pickup and even closer to your final stunning secret picnic spot. You can expect a 3-4 hour all-inclusive stress-free date with this fantastic picnic experience.
Grab tickets and select the date here and everything will be planned for you.
39. Try an indoor skydiving experience
If you’re the outdoorsy type who likes a thrill you might be the type who would be interested in testing your skydiving skills in one of Chicago’s state-of-the-art indoor skydiving centers. With an iFly Indoor Skydiving Center in Lincoln Park and another iFly Indoor Skydiving Center in Rosemont, there are two conveniently located cutting-edge centers to choose from. Kids and adults can both experience the same sensation you’d get 12,000 feet up in the sky and if you feel you have what it takes, you can test your vertigo above Chicago’s iconic skyline at Skydive Chicago, one of the world’s largest skydiving resorts.
40. Hit up the largest outdoor adventure park in America
For even more taste of the action, take a short drive down to Lemont, where The Forge: Lemont Quarries offer an all-around day of fun. From mountain biking and climbing walls to yoga to a tactical laser tag course, the 300-acre park is packed with everything you can think of with something for everyone!
[Featured Image from Shutterstock]