December 2018
We recommend the best events, festivals, and fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois.
Christmas market
December 1 – 24, 2018
Christkindlmarket is an open-air European holiday market featuring traditional art, handmade gifts, German foods, choirs, and carolers on Daley Plaza.
Free.
Classic Christmas play
December 1 – 30, 2018
A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens’ holiday classic about Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and three Christmas ghosts.
- December 1to Dec. 30 – Goodman Theatre in Chicago
- December 1 to Dec. 24 – Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights
Nutcracker ballet
December 1 – 30, 2018
Joffrey Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker features brilliant costumes, fanciful scenery, entrancing storytelling, and Tchaikovsky’s famous score played by the Chicago Philharmonic at Auditorium Theatre.
It’s a Wonderful Life: radio play
December 1 – 30, 2018
It’s a Wonderful Life recreates a live radio play based on the film about a man seeking purpose in life at the Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview.
Christmas lights – Brookfield Zoo
December 1 – 31, 2018
Holiday Magic has a million twinkling lights, a train display, carolers, ice carvers, a magician, a talking tree, zoo chats, and singing to animals at the Brookfield Zoo. Dates in 2018: Dec. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 26-31.
Holiday train ride
Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019
Take a one-hour train ride through downtown Chicago as you drink cocoa on the Polar Express, which travels round trip from Union Station at Jackson Boulevard.
Christmas lights – Arboretum
Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 1, 2019
See colorful tree lights and projections on a one-mile walk at Illumination, with fire pits to warm you up along the way at Morton Arboretum. Closed Nov. 22, Dec. 24 & 25, and all Mondays except Dec. 31.
Winter WonderFest
December 1, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
Festival Hall at Navy Pier becomes an indoor Winter WonderFest for the holidays, with music, carnival rides, and entertainment. Closed Dec. 25. If younger than 18, you need a parent. If older, you need ID.
Christmas lights – Lincoln Park Zoo
Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
ZooLights at the Lincoln Park Zoo features millions of holiday lights, ice carving, music, carousel & train rides, food, and gift shopping (plus photos with Santa some days). Free. Closed Nov. 26 – 29; Dec. 24 – 25.
Holidays around the world
Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
See trees decorated to represent many cultures, plus weekend ethnic song-and-dance performances during Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science & Industry. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Holiday trains – Botanic garden
Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
Wonderland Express features trains running through an indoor garden past miniature buildings at Chicago Botanic Garden. See events schedule. Closed Dec. 25.
Holiday trains – Lincoln Park
Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 26, 2019
Model trains wind their way through a miniature village among poinsettias during the Holiday Flower Show at Lincoln Conservatory. Open daily. Free.
Wine & beer tasting
December 5, 2018
(6 to 8 p.m.)
Holiday Cheers! is a seasonal tasting of local spirits, wines, and winter brews surrounded by Wonderland Express train exhibits at Chicago Botanic Garden.
1920s party
December 6, 2018
(7 to 11 p.m.)
Come as a gangster or flapper to The Last Speakeasy, a Prohibition-era party with music, dancing, a casino, cocktails, and heavy hors d’oeuvres at the Chicago History Museum.
Beer at Zoolights
December 6, 2018
A ticket to BrewLights gets you a dozen samples of draft beer. You also can buy food for sale, take a photo with Santa, see the holiday lights, and visit animals in their exhibits at Lincoln Park Zoo for age 21+.
Christmas caroling
December 7 & 14, 2018
Bundle up and prepare to belt out holiday classics when asked to sing along with the choir at Caroling at Cloud Gate outdoors in Millennium Park. Free.
Jingle Ball concert
December 12, 2018
KISS FM radio 103.5 brings big-name music artists to the annual Jingle Ball at Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Ugly sweater swing dance
December 14, 2018
Wear your tackiest to Ugly Sweater Swing Class, which includes a beginner’s class, open dancing, mingling, and a costume contest at Duet Dance Studio for age 21+. BYOB.
Handel’s Messiah
December 15 – 16, 2018
It’s a holiday tradition to hear joyful Handel’s Messiah sung by the Apollo Chorus of Chicago at Harris Theater.
New Year’s party – a day early
December 30, 2018
Enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres buffet, a band, dancing, and a silent auction at the black-tie-optional charity benefit EVE of the EVE at The Merchandise Mart.
Austrian music & dance
December 30, 2018
(2:30 p.m.)
Costumed dancers and singers bring the waltzes of Strauss to life, as a full orchestra plays at Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert at the Symphony Center.
Fireworks at the lake
December 31, 2018
Welcome the new year with 15 minutes of New Year’s Eve Fireworks at Navy Pier on Lake Michigan. Gates may close if the crowd capacity is reached. Free.
New Year’s Eve – Navy Pier
December 31, 2018
(8:15 p.m.)
Join 3,000 people at Chicago Resolution Gala, which has multiple DJs, 30 bars, food stations, a champagne toast at midnight, and views of fireworks over the lake in the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier for age 21+.