Halloween has passed us by, and Chicago is gearing up for another vibrant holiday season. From light shows to ice skating, our favorite festive activities are returning, setting the stage for a wonderful November in Chicago.
Whether it’s watching the greenery transition into shades of orange, celebrating Thanksgiving on an outdoor patio, or enjoying one of Chicago’s fantastic Christmas markets, here are the best things to do in Chicago in November.
Autumn Fest Weekends at Gallagher Way
Photo: Gallagher Way
Embrace the fall season at Gallagher Way’s Autumn Fest, a weekend-long celebration perfect for friends and family. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout October, visitors can enjoy a variety of seasonal activities and fun for all ages. From pumpkin patches to harvest-themed games, immerse yourself in the autumnal spirit at this festive community gathering.
📍 Location: Gallagher Way, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: Every weekend in October 2024; Fridays 4-9 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Mile High Cocktail Club Returns with World’s Best Bar Collaboration
Experience unparalleled luxury at the Four Seasons Hotel’s Mile High Cocktail Club, now featuring a collaboration with Handshake Speakeasy, the world’s #1 bar. This exclusive speakeasy on the 46th floor offers breathtaking views of the Magnificent Mile and a unique, handcrafted cocktail menu curated by mixology experts. Indulge in innovative drinks like the “Salt -N- Pepper” and “Butter Mushroom Old Fashioned” in an enchanting atmosphere of candlelight and plush velvet banquettes.
📍 Location: Four Seasons Hotel, 7th and 46th floors, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: November 14, 2024 – March 1, 2025
Have an adventure at the Forbidden Forest experience
Looking for a spellbinding escape this November? Just north of Chicago, at the wooded trails of Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience at YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside, you’ll step into an immersive night‑walk through the world of wizardry. As you stroll among the trees, magical creatures emerge from the shadows, bringing your favorite moments from the Wizarding World to life. Wave your wand, encounter unicorns and Hippogriffs, sip Butterbeer beneath the stars, and capture unforgettable photos. Don’t miss your chance to experience this enchanting trail…it’s only in town for a limited time! – Melissa Maynard
📍 Location: Ingleside, Illinois
🗓️ Dates: Until November 30, 2025
Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake Returns with Dazzling Holiday Spectacle
Experience the magic of the season at Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake, returning with its most spectacular edition yet. This year’s celebration features an immersive holiday light show, a first-ever holiday drone display, fireworks, and an array of festive attractions against the backdrop of Chicago’s stunning skyline. Enjoy artisan vendors, Santa visits, ax-throwing, and cozy bonfire pits for a complete winter wonderland experience.
📍 Location: Navy Pier, Chicago
🗓️ Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025
See everything from crystal caves to enchanted landscapes
Step into Wondra, a luminous new multi-sensory escape at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg. This isn’t your typical mall attraction — you’ll wander through glowing crystal caves and enchanted meadows that respond to your voice. Each room is inspired by nature’s wildest wonders, from bioluminescent seas to star-filled skies. Blending immersive tech with a joyful, natural design, Wondra is truly a dreamlike journey that’s fun for all ages.
📍 Location:Woodfield Mall
🗓️ Dates: Closes in January, 2025
Watch the Christmas Tree lights go on in Millennium 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 celebrate Christmas, but when Chicago’s “official” Christmas tree appears, few can do little but be imbued with festive cheer.
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.
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. But worry not; the 27th edition of the German-inspired annual Christmas market is back again on Friday, November 17th, 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.
Don’t miss the Magnificent Mile’s annual lights festival
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 free festival features a thoroughfare of booths and family activities, including photos with Santa Claus, a holiday DJ, and more.
Enjoy Chicago’s incredible array of light shows
Mind-blowing light shows are one of the best things to do in Chicago in November. Every year, more and more dazzling light shows appear in extraordinary locations 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
Snuggle up in a rooftop igloo at Godfrey Hotel
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 while enjoying the warmth from within a transparent igloo.
Chicago’s largest indoor-outdoor rooftop with a retractable roof can transform into any type of venue. This month, it will transform into a magical winter wonderland comprising heated igloos, fire pits, fire dancing, live DJs, s’mores, and, of course, themed cocktails.
Read more about Godfrey Hotel’s winter wonderland.
Head to Chicago’s Festive Holiday Markets
Chicago transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, offering a variety of festive markets for unique gift shopping. From the State Street Holiday Market in the Loop to the beloved Christkindlmarket, these markets showcase local artisans and small businesses. With over 85 vendors at some locations, visitors can find a wide range of items, from handmade crafts to gourmet foods, perfect for holiday gifting.
📍 Location: Various locations across Chicago
🗓️ Dates: Varies by market
Take to the ice at Maggie Daley Park
One of the best things to do in Chicago in November is to go winter skating. The ice skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is one of Chicago’s best winter-time activitie,s 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.
Send your senses soaring with a Dining-in-the-dark sushi experience
Take your date night to the next level or embark on a surreal adventure with friends by sitting down for a meal blindfolded, focusing on the exquisite tasting experience.
Dining in the Dark invites guests to engage their taste buds to the maximum in circumstances you’ve never experienced before, and now, for the first time, they’ve released a new sushi version of the iconic experience.
Omakase, as defined by the Michelin Guide, is a form of Japanese dining in which guests leave themselves in the hands of a chef and receive a meal that is seasonal, elegant, artistic, and crafted with the finest ingredients available.
This special 12-course menu will surprise you with its burst of flavors, encompassing the highest standards of Japanese cuisine, all while focusing on taste and smell alone.
Be captivated by a Candlelight Concert
Chicago’s sublime Candlelight Concert series is providing an array of breathtaking spectacles in the Windy City. Talented musicians will be performing at extraordinary venues all over Chicago, offering guests the chance to marvel at the enchanting combination of flickering candles and melodic sounds.
Sip under heat lamps on a patio this chilly season
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 a few better places to grab a drink this fall!
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 Chicago’s most unique sweeping panoramic views, 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.
Enter the Chicago Field museum for free
Free admission days are somewhat of a rarity during the summer months when Chicago’s tourism industry is thriving. Luckily though, as we enter the fall months many of our marvelous museums and attractions begin bringing back frequent free admission days.
This month Field Museum will be free on November 7, 10, 14, and 28.
Check out our full guide to free admission days at Chicago’s many museums and attractions.
Indulge your artistic side at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art
While not free, another standout museum from Chicago’s plethora of world-renowned museums is the Museum of Contemporary Art. This unique, grand structure houses exciting temporary and permanent exhibitions that are sure to leave you awestruck.
Make it a whole family day and prepare for an unforgettable experience in contemporary art or gather a group of friends and embrace your whimsical, artistic nature as you explore the fascinating collections. Filled with endlessly intriguing paintings, sculptures, and photos, this museum is always one for the books.
Get free entry to Adler Planetarium on a Wednesday
Another of Chicago’s famed attractions, The Adler Planetarium, underwent a huge revamp during a two-year Covid-19-induced hiatus and now boasts a brand new telescope in the Doane Observatory, which holds the title of the largest public telescope in the state.
As well as a new observation park, the planetarium has a shiny new roof giving the 80-year-old dome an iconic new glow. However, The best news is that upon its reopening, the planetarium announced that Illinois residents would be able to enter for free every Wednesday evening from 4-10 pm for the foreseeable future, provided they bring proof of residency.
Read more about the Adler Planetarium.
See Art on the MART’s fall projections
Of course, you don’t need to enter an exhibition to see extraordinary art in Chicago. 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 of the Merchandise Mart.
The new fall program features mesmerizing projections developed in response to humanity’s environmental crisis and the power of AI technologies which will be shown every night from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. through Friday, November 18.
Read more about Art on theMART’s fall schedule.
Peruse the magnificent street art murals of Chicago
Chicago’s street art and graffiti scene has continued to thrive in Chicago over the last decade. New pieces pop up all over the city every week, some of which 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.
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 must-see street art murals in Chicago is a rewarding experience any time of the year and luckily we’ve rounded up our top murals in the city so you can navigate your way around the best of the best and learn about the inspiration behind some of Chicago’s famous murals.
Brunch to your heart’s content
If you’re in need of an instant mood boost, searching for a group Sunday Funday activity, or looking to cure a hangover from the night before, brunch is the solution to all problems.
Luckily Chicago has an abundance of seriously good morning eats, and here we’ve compiled the best of the bunch!
Read our full list of the best brunch spots in Chicago.
Sample the best cocktails in Chicago
Whether you’re treating yourself to brunch in Chicago, kicking back on a Chicago patio, or enjoying drinks out at one of Chicago’s many bars and restaurants, you can be sure a finely-crafted cocktail is only seconds away.
From top-notch margaritas to more innovative cocktail concoctions and everything in between, the Windy City and its abundance of revered mixologists have the answers to whatever it is you’re after.
We’ve recently filtered through the noise to round up the best cocktail bars in Chicago based on our experiences at Secret Chicago, our reader’s most popular choices, and a scrupulous assessment of settings and drink quality.
Read our full list of the best places to buy cocktails in Chicago.
Kick back at a revered brewery
If craft beers are more your style than a fruity cocktail, worry not—Chicago has an abundance of internationally acclaimed breweries.
Frequently recognized as one of the best beer cities in the country, our seasoned and inventive beer scene has produced so many fantastic breweries and taprooms in Chicago that we’re spoilt for choice.
There are now over 200 breweries, big and small, across Chicagoland, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a finely crafted beer in a range of different environments, whatever the weather.
To ensure you’re checking out the best of the best, we’ve rounded up the 10 best breweries, brewpubs, and taprooms in Chicago. Cheers!
Chuckle away at Chicago comedy show
If you’re looking for a chuckle, there’s no place better for that than at a Chicago comedy show. Famous for its production of funny guys and girls. Chicago has some of the best places to see a comedy show in the country.
At Laugh Factory Chicago, some of today’s biggest names and local comedians are delivering something for every taste and style throughout the year.
Grab tickets to a show at Laugh Factory Chicago.
Go hiking near Chicago this fall
Every season offers new and different ways to enjoy nature, with spring splashing with the newly melted snow, summer peaking with an abundance of colors, fall trees bursting with warm red and golden hues, and winter bringing a clean slate of snow to remind us the year as come to a close.
No matter the time of year, there are plenty of great for hiking near Chicago but it is during fall that many offer a particularly unique spectacle.
As the autumnal hues set in across the Land of Lincoln, escape from the city for a day getaway by exploring nature and hiking at one of the esteemed parks near Chicago.
Head out of the city and see Illinois’ natural spectacles
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, we’ve rounded up the 7 natural wonders of Illinois that you can visit while they’re about to peak so you can plan an outing regardless of whether you want to hike or not.
Read our full breakdown of the 7 Natural Wonders of Illinois.
Stay in a Starved Rock Getaway cabin
One of the aforementioned spots, Starved Rock State Park, has recently 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.
One of our state’s most impressive natural spectacles, Starved Rock offers over 13 miles of hiking trails, numerous cascading waterfalls, and 18 canyons.
Discover the Windy City’s small pockets of Eden
Of course, Chicago is not far from nature, and there are many places all over the city where you can reconnect with Mother Nature. The Lakefront, lush parks, and incredible hiking trails offer great natural experiences, but Chicago also has numerous secret gardens hidden across the city.