Plan your holiday season in Chicago Heights with our detailed event guide. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, this guide unlocks the holiday treasures of Chicago Heights.
One shining highlight of the festive season is the Christkindlmarket, where German traditions come alive through festive stalls, handcrafted goods, and seasonal treats. Features like dazzling light displays and family-friendly activities can be found at ZooLights, transforming the local zoo into a winter wonderland. And the Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering stunning waterfront views and vibrant holiday lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Chicago Heights
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- ZooLights (Chicago)
- Christmas Around the World at Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)
- Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Polar Express at Union Station (Chicago)
- Gallagher Way’s Winterland (Chicago)
- Candlelight Concerts (Chicago)
- Concerts Under The Stars (Chicago)
- Home for the Holidays at Rialto Square Theatre (Joliet)
See these and even more events listed below!
Chicago Heights Holiday Light Displays
ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with interactive elements and festive attractions.
Description:
Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights features over 3 million lights, including hundreds of LED displays and interactive elements, with attractions like the Ferris wheel and light tunnel, and special events like ice carvings and carolers.
Where: Chicago | More Info: ZooLights
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Dazzling outdoor light displays and heated Ferris Wheel.
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. Discover one-of-a-kind finds at local artisan markets and enjoy live music performances.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and handcrafted drinks along the trail.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated trail with dazzling installations, light, art, and music, creating a memorable winter experience.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Heights Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Authentic German holiday market with diverse vendors and festive events.
Description:
The Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style holiday market offering a unique shopping experience with international and local vendors, festive events, and family-friendly activities.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
Holiday Happenings in Downtown Tinley Park
What to Expect:
Heated tent with handmade crafts and live music.
Description:
Holiday Happenings in Downtown Tinley Park features unique handmade crafts, tasty treats, and live music by local groups and entertainers. Children can make holiday crafts, write letters for soldiers, and decorate cookies.
Where: Tinley Park | More Info: Holiday Happenings in Downtown Tinley Park
Holiday Craft Show at Founders Community Center
What to Expect:
Unique handmade crafts and decorations by local artisans.
Description:
The Holiday Craft Show at Founders Community Center in Frankfort, IL, features local artisans showcasing handmade crafts, decorations, and gifts. Visitors can explore a variety of unique items perfect for the holiday season.
Where: Frankfort | More Info: Holiday Craft Show at Founders Community Center
Chicago Heights Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Candlelight Concerts
What to Expect:
Live music in a candlelit setting with diverse genres.
Description:
Candlelight Concerts offer a unique musical experience featuring live performances in beautifully candlelit settings, showcasing a wide variety of themes and genres including classical, jazz, pop, and movie soundtracks.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Candlelight Concerts
Concerts Under The Stars
What to Expect:
Live jazz performances in star-lit settings.
Description:
Concerts Under The Stars offers a musical journey featuring world-class musicians performing timeless classics in beautiful star-lit venues, evoking a jazz-age vibe.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Concerts Under The Stars
Home for the Holidays at Rialto Square Theatre
What to Expect:
Diverse lineup of holiday entertainment options.
Description:
Home for the Holidays at Rialto Square Theatre features a lineup of family-friendly shows, including classic titles, holiday favorites, and well-known artists. The event includes entertainment options for the whole family, such as holiday shows, concerts, social gatherings, movies, and special events throughout the holiday season.
Where: Joliet | More Info: Home for the Holidays at Rialto Square Theatre
Santa Arrival Party & Tree Lighting at Orland Square
What to Expect:
Santa's arrival by firetruck and festive procession.
Description:
Join Santa at Orland Square for a festive celebration featuring a 30ft tree lighting, live reindeer, carolers, and a hot chocolate truck. Enjoy a procession with Santa and American Dance Center's performance.
Where: Orland Park | More Info: Santa Arrival Party & Tree Lighting at Orland Square
Chicago Heights Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Around the World at Museum of Science and Industry
What to Expect:
Unique global holiday traditions showcased in a single exhibit.
Description:
Explore rich holiday traditions from around the globe at the Museum of Science and Industry. This annual celebration features a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by more than 50 trees and displays decorated by volunteers to represent holiday traditions from cultures worldwide.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christmas Around the World at Museum of Science and Industry
Polar Express at Union Station
What to Expect:
Themed train ride with holiday snacks and Santa visit.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride at Union Station in Chicago is a beloved holiday event that brings the classic children's story to life. The train ride features themed cars, holiday snacks, and a visit to the North Pole where children can meet Santa Claus.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Polar Express at Union Station
Gallagher Way’s Winterland
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration inside historic Wrigley Field with various attractions.
Description:
Winterland at Gallagher Way transforms Wrigley Field into a vibrant holiday destination with attractions like the Gallagher Ice Rink, carnival rides, and Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville. Meet Santa, enjoy festive games, and savor holiday treats in a unique setting.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Gallagher Way’s Winterland
Veterans Day Ceremony at Palos Park
What to Expect:
Honoring American veterans with a solemn ceremony.
Description:
The Veterans Day Ceremony at Palos Park is a heartfelt tribute to honor the sacrifices and service of American veterans. The event features a solemn ceremony, including speeches, wreath-laying, and a moment of silence to recognize the bravery and dedication of those who have served.
Where: Palos Park | More Info: Veterans Day Ceremony at Palos Park
Tree Trim at Brookfield Zoo
What to Expect:
Decorate pre-lit trees with handmade or purchased ornaments.
Description:
Join Brookfield Zoo Chicago in gearing up for the Holiday Magic celebration by participating in Tree Trim. Sponsoring a tree is a beautiful way to support the zoo and celebrate the 43rd annual Holiday Magic. School groups, scout troops, families, and companies are all welcome to participate.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Tree Trim at Brookfield Zoo
Monee's 150th Birthday Party
What to Expect:
Commemorating 150 years of village history with diverse community events.
Description:
Monee's 150th Birthday Party celebrates the village's rich history and community growth with a variety of events and activities.
Where: Monee | More Info: Monee's 150th Birthday Party
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Park Forest (2 miles)
- Lansing (6 miles)
- South Holland (7 miles)
- Harvey (7 miles)
- Munster (8 miles)
- Oak Forest (9 miles)
- Tinley Park (9 miles)
- Dolton (9 miles)
- Calumet City (9 miles)
- Schererville (10 miles)
- Highland (10 miles)
- Blue Island (11 miles)
- Morgan Park (13 miles)
- East Chicago (13 miles)
- Orland Park (14 miles)
- Crown Point (15 miles)
- Oak Lawn (15 miles)
- Merrillville (16 miles)
- Gary (16 miles)
- Chatham (16 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (16 miles)
- South Chicago (17 miles)
- Homer Glen (17 miles)
- New Lenox (17 miles)
- Ashburn (17 miles)
- Burbank (17 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (18 miles)
- South Shore (18 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (19 miles)
- West Englewood (19 miles)
- Englewood (19 miles)
- West Lawn (19 miles)
- Woodlawn (19 miles)
- Hobart (20 miles)
- Hyde Park (20 miles)
- Gage Park (20 miles)
- New City (21 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (21 miles)
- Brighton Park (22 miles)
- Lockport (23 miles)
- Douglas (23 miles)
- Bridgeport (23 miles)
- Joliet (23 miles)
- South Lawndale (24 miles)
- Chicago (24 miles)
- Lower West Side (24 miles)
- Crest Hill (24 miles)
- Near South Side (24 miles)
- Cicero (24 miles)
- Portage (24 miles)
- Darien (24 miles)
- North Lawndale (25 miles)
- Berwyn (25 miles)
- Romeoville (25 miles)
- Bolingbrook (26 miles)
- Chicago Loop (26 miles)
- East Garfield Park (26 miles)
- Westmont (27 miles)
- West Town (27 miles)
- Woodridge (27 miles)
- Near North Side (27 miles)
- Oak Park (27 miles)
- Maywood (28 miles)
- Downers Grove (29 miles)
- Lincoln Park (29 miles)
- Logan Square (29 miles)
- Kankakee (29 miles)
- Melrose Park (30 miles)
- Valparaiso (30 miles)
- Avondale (30 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (30 miles)
- Lisle (30 miles)
- Plainfield (31 miles)
- North Center (31 miles)
- Irving Park (31 miles)
- Elmhurst (31 miles)
- Uptown (32 miles)
- Portage Park (32 miles)
- Villa Park (32 miles)
- Lombard (32 miles)
- Albany Park (32 miles)
- Lincoln Square (33 miles)
- Naperville (33 miles)
- Edgewater (33 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (34 miles)
- West Ridge (34 miles)
- Addison (35 miles)
- Rogers Park (35 miles)
- Wheaton (35 miles)
- Glendale Heights (36 miles)
- Park Ridge (36 miles)
- Niles (36 miles)
- Skokie (37 miles)
- Morton Grove (38 miles)
- Carol Stream (38 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (38 miles)
- Des Plaines (39 miles)
- Bloomingdale (39 miles)
- Oswego (39 miles)
- West Chicago (39 miles)
- Wilmette (39 miles)
- Aurora (39 miles)
- Glenview (40 miles)
- Roselle (40 miles)
- Michigan City (41 miles)
- Mount Prospect (42 miles)
- Batavia (42 miles)
- Hanover Park (43 miles)
- Geneva (43 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (44 miles)
- Northbrook (44 miles)
- Bartlett (44 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (44 miles)
- St. Charles (45 miles)