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Winter in Chicago might be chilly loaded up with snow, yet Christmas in Chicago makes it worth the visit. With regards to real unique festivals, Chicago is constantly preposterous. All late spring the city runs hard and fast with significant firecrackers shows, while amid the winter the Windy City is enlightened, and the stores have great window shows. There is something extraordinary about Christmas in Chicago. Apart from visiting the locations with Christmas events and displays, there are a lot more things to do in Chicago at Christmas. So, this Christmas season pack your bags and head to Chicago.

Top 9 Ways To Celebrate Christmas In Chicago

The various Chicago Christmas events and customs please the senses and add excitement to your holiday calendar. Commend this vivid season with Chicago’s Christmas events 2022 and welcome the season with the proper cheer:

1. Christkindlmarket

Christkindlmarket

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If you are looking for things to do in Chicago on Christmas day then head to Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago which turns into a beautiful European Christmas town loaded up with red-and-white hovels canvassed in twinkling Chicago christmas lights and wreaths. The market includes numerous sellers flaunting handmade decorations, cuckoo-tickers, nutcrackers, toys, and significantly more. The Festival Tents and The Grand Timber House give guests a place to warm up, take a seat, and appreciate delectable sustenance and beverages such as potato hotcakes, German lager, and spiced wine. This 37-day great occasion enables you to enjoy live bands, Children’s Lantern Parade. Experience this one of a kind occasion scene in the core of downtown Chicago. This custom will commend 23 years in 2022 will be enlivened by the Nuremberg German Christmas market in Chicago.

Dates: November 18th to December 24th, 2022
Time: 11 am to 8 pm (Sunday to Thursday) and 11 am to 9 pm (Friday to Saturday)

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2. The Mile Lights Festival

The Mile Lights Festival

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This festival offers family-accommodating exercises for two days free of charge. The festival comes full circle in a night tree-lighting march along North Michigan Avenue. The fascinating event of this festival is the presence of Mickey and Minnie Mouse that lead the procession. The celebration starts at Lights Festival Lane on Friday evening and proceeds for the day on Saturday. Group top choices the Cheesecake Company, Eli’s, Garrett Popcorn, and more will return on Christmas in Chicago 2022, along with the Santa Claus.

Dates: November 16 to November 17, 2022
Time: 4 pm to 8 pm (Friday) and 11 am to 4 pm (Saturday)

3. City of Chicago Christmas Tree

City of Chicago Christmas Tree

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A 48-year-old, 60-foot Christmas tree weighing 8200 pounds is the City of Chicago’s 105th Christmas tree given by Deborah Orth and her family. You will find the Christmas tree location in Chicago at the Millennium Park where the City of Chicago’s commemoration of Christmas Tree Lighting will occur. This exceedingly foreseen occasion draws individuals of any age to see the sparkling tree set among Chicago’s shimmering horizon and the notable craftsmanship and design of Millennium Park. The function will begin at around 6 pm with the Chicago Christmas lights at Washington Street and Michigan Avenue.

Dates: November 16, 2022
Time: At 6 pm

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4. Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo

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The 24th release will enlighten the grounds with more than two million lights, including overwhelmingly lit up structures. This unique festival changes Lincoln Park’s zoo into a winter fairyland famous all over the USA. Occasion artworks and exercises, and, apparently, sweet treats, round out the good times. Make sure to go to the Helen Brach Primate House to make a visit to Santa Claus. You can also enjoy a ride on the Lionel Train Adventure through the snowy woods and jagged ravine. Or on the other hand, go ice skating past goats and horses at the Farm in the Zoo.

Dates: November 23 to January 06, 2022
Time: 4.30pm to 9pm


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5. St. Lucia festival of lights

St. Lucia festival of lights

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Chicago’s Andersonville was first settled as a Swedish cultivating network after the 1871 Great Fire when Swedish enclaves on the close north side of Chicago moved further to the north side Today, Andersonville still distinctions its Swedish conventions, while facilitating a lively, different network with numerous societies. In this festival, a candlelight parade is conducted at the North Side of Andersonville along Clark Street initiating from the Swedish American Museum. This parade is based on Swedish culture and roots. The extraordinarily picked “Lucia Girls” drive the parade wearing white robes and embellished with lovely crowns of candles, they sing “The Lucia Song” and welcome people to participate in their walk. A while later, celebrate at the gallery with family-accommodating amusement and many Christmas activities in Chicago

Dates: December 12, 2022
Time: 4:45pm to 7:00pm

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6. Winter WonderFest

Winter WonderFest

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It is one of Chicago’s coolest, most significant and best indoor play areas. Stuffed with family fun, Fifth Third Bank Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier is a dearest yearly Chicago winter occasion. This year it will be the 17th yearly celebration including 170,000 square feet of fair rides, merry go around, occasion themed activities, Ice Skating, huge slides, and the stylistic layout is similarly as staggering as the perspectives. Monstrous snowflakes and a large number of icicle lights dangle from the roof. Come and experience the city’s most magnificent and best indoor winter play area and join the massive number of families who have made it a piece of their yearly occasion custom!

Dates: November 30, 2021, to January 06, 2022
Time: From 10 am daily

7. Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic

Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic

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Celebrating its 37th year, Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic is the Chicago’s biggest lights celebration including one million twinkling lights all through the rural zoo. You will find energized light shows and a video light show, creature displays that stay open into the night, as will zoo eateries and gifts shops. Appreciate a full calendar of live diversion, singing to the creatures, proficient ice-cutting exhibitions, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, magic and train shows, a 38-foot talking tree, costumed characters, and a model train show. Visitors can encounter lights all through the zoo while visiting their most loved creatures, as well.

Dates: December 01 to December 31, 2022
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

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8. One of a Kind Holiday Show

One of a Kind Holiday Show

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It is an exciting option in contrast to customary retail and is a fun place to discover one of a kind presents for everybody on your vacation list. It is currently in its eighteenth year and one of the most beloved Christmas store in Chicago. More than non-mainstream 600 specialists from North America bring their creative, handcrafted things to the mart. Prepare to peruse an extensive variety of media and classes including earthenware kitchenware; adornments reused paper; home enrichments; vast amounts of design from warm fleece caps to travel roused scarves in big prints, gourmet treats, furniture, children’s stuff, gems, pet items, painting and much more. Talk with the craftsmen and see craftsman showings, watch design shows and tune in to unrecorded music.

Dates: December 06 to December 09, 2022
Time: 11am to 8pm

9. Macy’s Christmas Windows

Macy's window

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Macy’s window displays are the exciting and festive window displays which are an amusement to the people during the festive season. Other than the Chicago christmas lights, it is these window displays that are one of Chicago’s Christmas events of 2022 that people look forward to. Christmas shopping in Chicago can be done here too as Macy’s chocolate shop has the best treats to give away as holiday gifts.
When: November 1, 2021 – January 5, 2022
Where: 111 N State Street
Cost: Free

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With seasonal happiness spread over each region, road, and building, it is really magical to celebrate Christmas in Chicago. It is the primary season when you can taste a cup of spiced wine underneath the Picasso statue, sing hymns and visit the Walnut Room tree at Macy’s. You can follow the above guide and fill your vacation to the USA with the season’s warmth and joy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Chicago

What is Chicago known best for?

If you are visiting Chicago for the first time, some of the things that this city has to offer are Chicago-style hot dogs and deep-dish pizza along with a great jazz music scene that you can explore.

What is there to do in Chicago in December?

One can see the Zoolights at the Lincoln Park Zoo and go ice skating at the Millennium Park in Chicago in December.

Does it snow in Chicago in December?

Chicago experiences icy winds and snow in December.

Are museums free in Chicago?

Alike other places to visit in the USA, the museums in Chicago are free for members of the US Armed Services, Chicago Fire Department, Chicago Police Department, and Illinois teachers.

Is the Skydeck free?

The Skydeck in Chicago is not free. You need to pay INR 2,348.08 for adults whereas the same for kids above the age of 3 years will be charged INR 996.24.


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Category: Chicago, Events And Festivals

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