Christmas Events in Chicago
Christmas Holiday Traditions in Chicago
Holiday Festivals in Illinois

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: an annual tradition produced by Goodman Theatre. Special group rates are available.

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival: a kick-off event for the holiday season featuring a procession that illuminates the trees along North Michigan Avenue. The lighting is preceded by a series of concerts, and followed by a fireworks show over the Chicago River.

Christkindlmarket Chicago: an annual German-American holiday market for families. The Christkindlmarket offers a unique shopping experience, German food and drinks and special entertainment, including choirs, bands and dancers. The "Vendors" section of the website mentions products such as ornaments, tea sets, pitchers, jewelry, lace, lacquer boxes, nutcrackers, alpaca wool sweaters and more.

Caroling at Cloud Gate: taking place on Friday nights throughout the holiday season at Millennium Park.

Skating at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink: located at Millennium Park.

Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo: watch ice carving demonstrations and enjoy scenery that is enhanced by more than one million holiday lights.

Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest: enjoy lights, family style attractions and hundreds of holiday trees.

Chicago Tap Theatre's Tidings of Tap: featuring dances to celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, and the winter season.

The Mayor's Holiday Sports Festival: demonstrations, tournaments and interactive zones.

Joffrey Ballet's Presentation of the Nutcracker: "The beloved story of Clara and the Nutcracker, all wrapped up in Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable music."