December 2019
We recommend the best events, festivals, and fun things to do in Chicago, Illinois.
Nutcracker ballet
December 1 – 29, 2019
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. This version by Christopher Wheeldon is set in 1892, with a World’s Fair theme.
Christmas market
December 1 – 31, 2019
Christkindlmarket is an open-air European holiday market featuring traditional art, handmade gifts, German foods, choirs, and carolers. Free.
- 15 to Dec. 24 – Daley Plaza
- 22 to Dec. 31 – Wrigleyville
Christmas lights – Brookfield Zoo
December 1 – 31, 2019
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 2019: Nov. 30; Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 26-31.
Christmas lights – Lincoln Park Zoo
December 1, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
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 Dec. 24 & 25.
Model trains & holiday flowers
Dec. 1, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Model trains wind their way among 700 poinsettias and a Christmas tree during the Holiday Flower Show at Lincoln Conservatory. Open daily. Free.
Holidays around the world
December 1, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
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.
Light show in the garden
Dec. 1, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
“The night comes alive with color, imagination, and sound, from a playful choir of singing trees to a spectacular waterfall of light” at new event Lightscape. You walk on a one-mile path that includes “an avenue of luminous linden trees” at Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.
Christmas lights – arboretum
Dec. 1, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
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 in Lisle.
Adult zoo night
December 5, 2019
(6:30 to 10 p.m.)
Leave the kids at home and head to Adults Night Out at Lincoln Park Zoo to experience unique animal chats and live entertainment. You must be age 18+ to attend, and age 21+ for the cash bars.
Christmas caroling
December 6, 13, 20, 2019
(Fridays 6 p.m.)
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.
Winter WonderFest
December 6, 2019 – Jan. 12, 2020
Festival Hall at Navy Pier becomes an indoor Winter WonderFest for the holidays, with music, skating, carnival rides, and entertainment. You need ID if you are age 18+, otherwise you need a parent. Children shorter than 3 feet are free. Closed Dec. 25.
Wine & beer tasting
December 11, 2019
(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.
Ugly sweater swing dance
December 13, 2019
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.
Jingle Ball concert
December 18, 2019
Jingle Ball brings big-name music artists every December to Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Fireworks at the lake
December 31, 2019
Welcome the new year with 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, 2019
(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+.
New Year’s at the zoo
December 31, 2019
See millions of holiday lights, watch artists carve blocks of ice, buy beer/wine/champagne, hear DJ music, play games, and visit the animals during Zoo Year’s Eve at Lincoln Park Zoo for age 21+.
Northerly Island adventure
December 2019
(undated)
See birds of prey and wolves, make “nature-inspired winter crafts,” walk on snowshoes (if there’s snow), and drink cocoa (while it lasts) at Polar Adventure Days on three dates in December, January, and February. Free except parking.
