Explore the best 2025 holiday events in Chicago, markets, lights, shows, skating, and more in this essential guide to Chicago’s winter season.
Chicago never does the holidays halfway. When December arrives, the Windy City becomes a glowing, snow-kissed spectacle of world-class performances, iconic markets, architectural light displays, lakefront festivals, and seasonal experiences shaped by the city’s deep cultural layers.
In 2025, holiday events in Chicago are scaling up across every neighborhood—from downtown’s twinkling plazas to historic parks, vibrant ethnic enclaves, and the city’s legendary museums.
Whether you’re a Chicagoan who knows that winter is a personality trait or a visitor determined to see the city in its most magical state, these 2025 holiday events in Chicago will transform your season into something unforgettable.
Christkindlmarket Chicago
No holiday roundup is complete without the iconic Christkindlmarket, one of the nation’s most recognized German-style Christmas markets. With new vendors, expanded seating chalets, and specialty global holiday dishes, the 2025 holiday events in Chicago at Christkindlmarket promise a more immersive experience at all three locations: Daley Plaza, Wrigleyville, and Aurora.
“Chicago’s Christkindlmarket is not just a market—it’s a sensory memory people return to every year,” says longtime vendor Anna Weiss. “The smells, the lights, the music—it feels like home.”
Locations:
• Daley Plaza — 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL
• Gallagher Way — 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
• RiverEdge Park (Aurora) — 360 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL
Website: https://www.christkindlmarket.com/
Contact: info@christkindlmarket.com
Don’t leave without a souvenir mug of hot spiced glühwein.
ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
One of Chicago’s most beloved family-friendly traditions, ZooLights bathes Lincoln Park Zoo in millions of LED lights, themed zones, musical light tunnels, and seasonal displays. The 2025 season introduces expanded choreographed light shows and a new “Snowy Safari” experience featuring larger-than-life illuminated animal sculptures.
Location: 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.lpzoo.org/
Contact: (312) 742-2000
A mix of festive whimsy and city skyline beauty—don’t miss the photo ops.
Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon
Forget your typical ice rink—the Ice Skating Ribbon spirals through a winter wonderland with views of Millennium Park and the Chicago skyline. In 2025, themed nights return, including Silent Disco Skate, Ugly Sweater Night, and Chicago House Music Skate.
“Skating the Ribbon feels like gliding through a snow globe built just for Chicago,” says park director Jaylen Ortez.
Location: 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.maggiedaleypark.com/
Contact: (312) 742-3918
It’s one of the most photographed winter attractions in the Midwest.
The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet at the Lyric Opera House
The Joffrey Ballet’s reimagined Chicago-centric production of The Nutcracker continues to enchant audiences with its World’s Fair storyline, dazzling choreography, and jaw-dropping visuals. The 2025 holiday events in Chicago include updated set designs and new costume embellishments that elevate the spectacle.
Location: Lyric Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.joffrey.org/
Contact: (312) 386-8905
A cultural cornerstone—booking early is essential.
Millennium Park Holiday Tree and Winter Programming
The Millennium Park Christmas Tree remains a beloved Chicago tradition. In 2025, the park expands its programming with live choir performances, multicultural holiday celebrations, and extended hours for the nearby McCormick Tribune Ice Rink.
Location: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.chicago.gov/
Contact: info via city website
Stay for the skyline shots—nighttime is pure magic.
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
Chicago’s only indoor winter festival, Light Up the Lake offers rides, light displays, ice skating, a holiday market, and immersive art installations inside Navy Pier’s enormous Festival Hall. The 2025 season introduces new interactive LED sculptures and expanded local artisan booths.
Location: 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL
Website: https://navypier.org/
Contact: (312) 595-7437
Ideal for families—and a warm indoor option when winter really winters.
A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre
Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol has been running for nearly five decades and remains one of the most anticipated 2025 holiday events in Chicago. This year’s production introduces new lighting effects, immersive set updates, and a fresh cast bringing Dickens’ story into modern emotional resonance.
Location: 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.goodmantheatre.org/
Contact: (312) 443-3800
A timeless classic with Chicago heart and artistry.
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
One of the region’s most visually stunning holiday light experiences, Illumination transforms the Morton Arboretum’s wooded landscapes into a glowing fantasy of colors, patterns, soundscapes, and projection artistry. The 2025 edition debuts a “Symphonic Forest” where lights respond to orchestral compositions.
Location: 4100 IL-53, Lisle, IL
Website: https://www.mortonarb.org/
Contact: (630) 968-0074
It’s worth the short drive—dress warmly and wander slowly.
Winterland at Gallagher Way
Outside Wrigley Field, Winterland brings carnival rides, ice bumper cars, a holiday market, photo installations, and igloo lounges. The 2025 version expands with a reimagined light maze and a new holiday-themed mini golf course.
Location: 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
Website: https://www.gallagherway.com/
Contact: info@gallagherway.com
A lively, family-friendly hub with Cubs-branded holiday flair.
Why 2025 Holiday Events in Chicago Are More Magical Than Ever
Chicago thrives in the winter because it embraces what makes the city unique—its cultural diversity, its architectural drama, its performing arts legacy, and its deep-rooted neighborhoods. That’s why the 2025 holiday events in Chicago feel bigger, bolder, and more emotionally resonant. Every corner of the city hosts a celebration: classic markets that evoke European nostalgia, breathtaking artistic light shows that rival any major metropolis, theater productions that define the city’s creative identity, and outdoor activities that make the most of winter’s energy.
Chicago doesn’t just illuminate buildings—it illuminates community.
Conclusion: Why You Must Experience 2025 Holiday Events in Chicago
Make the Most of 2025 Holiday Events in Chicago
Whether you’re visiting the Windy City for a winter escape or planning your seasonal outings at home, the 2025 holiday events in Chicago offer unforgettable memories—from glowing parks to historic markets, world-class theater, and festive lakefront celebrations. Bundle up, explore widely, and let Chicago’s winter magic do what it does best: surprise you.
Explore the best 2025 holiday events in Chicago—markets, lights, shows, skating, and more in this essential guide to Chicago’s winter season.
