Celebrate the season with the Avondale community! Discover all the festive happenings in our guide. Whether you're an Avondale veteran or a rookie, this guide ensures you don't miss a moment of holiday magic.
One highlight this season is the enchanting Christkindlmarket, which transports visitors straight to a European-style market brimming with handcrafted gifts and delicious seasonal treats. Another notable experience is the Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier, featuring dazzling light displays and a variety of winter-themed activities for all ages. And the magical performance of The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing the beauty of this beloved holiday classic. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Avondale
Avondale Holiday Light Displays
Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Largest indoor and outdoor holiday experience in Chicago.
Description:
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier features dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays, an outdoor ice-skating rink, cozy firepits, and a heated Centennial Ferris Wheel. The event includes local artisan markets, axe throwing, live music, and award-winning fireworks on Saturdays.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
Wonderland Express & Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
"Synchronized light and sound show amidst botanical gardens"
Description:
The Chicago Botanic Garden's Wonderland Express & Lightscape features a spectacular display of lights and botanical beauty, transforming the garden into a vibrant and immersive experience.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Wonderland Express & Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Avondale Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Authentic German-style holiday market with international vendors and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style holiday market offering a unique shopping experience with international and local vendors, festive music, and a variety of seasonal foods.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
Avondale Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance inspired by Chicago's 1893 World's Fair.
Description:
The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet is a holiday performance set in 1893 Chicago, featuring Christopher Wheeldon's choreography and Tchaikovsky's classic score. The story follows Marie and her mother as they celebrate Christmas Eve, only to be swept away by the Nutcracker Prince to the dreamlike fairgrounds of the World’s Columbian Exposition.
Where: Chicago | More Info: The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Logan Square (1 miles)
- Irving Park (2 miles)
- North Center (2 miles)
- Albany Park (2 miles)
- Lincoln Square (3 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (3 miles)
- Portage Park (3 miles)
- Lincoln Park (3 miles)
- Uptown (4 miles)
- West Town (4 miles)
- Edgewater (4 miles)
- East Garfield Park (4 miles)
- West Ridge (4 miles)
- Near North Side (5 miles)
- Oak Park (5 miles)
- Rogers Park (5 miles)
- North Lawndale (5 miles)
- Chicago Loop (6 miles)
- Lower West Side (6 miles)
- South Lawndale (7 miles)
- Skokie (7 miles)
- Cicero (7 miles)
- Chicago (7 miles)
- Near South Side (7 miles)
- Niles (7 miles)
- Berwyn (7 miles)
- Bridgeport (8 miles)
- Morton Grove (8 miles)
- Melrose Park (8 miles)
- Maywood (8 miles)
- Park Ridge (8 miles)
- Brighton Park (8 miles)
- Douglas (9 miles)
- Wilmette (9 miles)
- New City (10 miles)
- Glenview (10 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (10 miles)
- Gage Park (10 miles)
- Des Plaines (11 miles)
- West Englewood (11 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (11 miles)
- West Lawn (11 miles)
- Englewood (11 miles)
- Hyde Park (12 miles)
- Elmhurst (12 miles)
- Woodlawn (12 miles)
- Ashburn (13 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (13 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (14 miles)
- South Shore (14 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (14 miles)
- Addison (14 miles)
- Northbrook (14 miles)
- Mount Prospect (15 miles)
- Chatham (15 miles)
- Burbank (15 miles)
- Villa Park (15 miles)
- Lombard (16 miles)
- Oak Lawn (16 miles)
- South Chicago (16 miles)
- Westmont (17 miles)
- Morgan Park (17 miles)
- Highland Park (17 miles)
- Wheeling (18 miles)
- Downers Grove (18 miles)
- Glendale Heights (18 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (18 miles)
- Darien (19 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (19 miles)
- Bloomingdale (19 miles)
- Roselle (19 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (19 miles)
- Blue Island (20 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (20 miles)
- Palatine (20 miles)
- Wheaton (21 miles)
- Lisle (21 miles)
- Dolton (21 miles)
- Carol Stream (22 miles)
- Woodridge (22 miles)
- Orland Park (23 miles)
- Hanover Park (23 miles)
- Harvey (23 miles)
- Oak Forest (23 miles)
- Vernon Hills (24 miles)
- South Holland (24 miles)
- Calumet City (24 miles)
- East Chicago (25 miles)
- Bartlett (25 miles)
- Streamwood (25 miles)
- Bolingbrook (25 miles)
- Naperville (25 miles)
- Tinley Park (26 miles)
- West Chicago (26 miles)
- Homer Glen (26 miles)
- Libertyville (27 miles)
- Mundelein (27 miles)
- Lansing (27 miles)
- North Chicago (28 miles)
- Munster (28 miles)
- Romeoville (28 miles)
- Highland (30 miles)
- Lockport (30 miles)
- Elgin (30 miles)
- South Elgin (30 miles)
- Chicago Heights (30 miles)
- Gary (30 miles)
- Carpentersville (31 miles)
- Geneva (31 miles)
- St. Charles (31 miles)
- Park Forest (31 miles)
- Gurnee (31 miles)
- Batavia (32 miles)
- New Lenox (32 miles)
- Grayslake (33 miles)
- Crest Hill (33 miles)
- Plainfield (33 miles)
- Aurora (34 miles)
- Algonquin (34 miles)
- Schererville (34 miles)
- Joliet (34 miles)
- Zion (36 miles)
- Wasco (36 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (36 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (36 miles)
- Hobart (37 miles)
- Merrillville (37 miles)
- Portage (37 miles)
- Crystal Lake (37 miles)
- Oswego (37 miles)
- McHenry (39 miles)
- Huntley (40 miles)
- Crown Point (40 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (44 miles)
- Michigan City (45 miles)
- Kenosha (45 miles)