Welcome to the ultimate holiday guide for East Garfield Park! Discover the best festive activities and events. For those who call East Garfield Park home and those just visiting, this guide showcases the city's festive charm.
One highlight of the season is the Christkindlmarket, where a traditional German-inspired marketplace offers handcrafted gifts, delicious treats, and seasonal cheer. Featuring whimsical decorations and twinkling lights, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink provides a delightful experience for skaters and spectators alike. And the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Tree-Lighting Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it illuminates the city with festive displays and live entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around East Garfield Park
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (Chicago)
- Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Tree-Lighting Parade (Chicago)
- Light Up the Park (Rosemont)
- Winter Flower Show: Celebrating Silver (Chicago)
- Light Up the Lake (Chicago)
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
- Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs (Chicago)
- Jack Frost Christmas Holiday Pop-Up (Chicago)
- Skating in the Park (Rosemont)
See these and even more events listed below!
East Garfield Park Holiday Light Displays
Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Tree-Lighting Parade
What to Expect:
Largest nighttime parade in the U.S. with one million lights illuminating 200 trees.
Description:
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is a day-through-night holiday celebration featuring a mile-long extravaganza with over one million lights, a nighttime parade led by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, and various family-friendly activities along North Michigan Avenue.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and Tree-Lighting Parade
Light Up the Park
What to Expect:
Spectacular display of over 80,000 holiday lights.
Description:
Light Up the Park is a family-friendly event at Rosemont's Parkway Bank Park featuring ice skating, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free horse-drawn sleigh rides, carolers, and ice sculpting viewing. The event culminates with a spectacular display of over 80,000 holiday lights.
Where: Rosemont | More Info: Light Up the Park
Light Up the Lake
What to Expect:
Largest indoor holiday light display in Chicago.
Description:
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier is an indoor holiday light sculpture experience featuring over 600,000 twinkling lights, an Alpine ice rink, holiday-themed dining, and family-friendly activities.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Light Up the Lake
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and animal-themed displays.
Description:
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic features over two million twinkling LED lights, giant illuminated animals, and immersive light displays. Guests can explore indoor and outdoor habitats, meet Santa, and enjoy festive shopping and dining options.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
East Garfield Park Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Traditional German holiday market with international and local vendors.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a German-style Christmas market offering free admission, featuring over 50 vendors with unique shopping experiences, international and local foods, and festive events.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
East Garfield Park Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs
What to Expect:
Local choral groups lead festive holiday sing-alongs.
Description:
Join local Chicago choral groups in Millennium Park's Wrigley Square for a series of holiday sing-alongs, celebrating Chicago's diverse traditions with free admission and music starting at 6pm.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Alongs
Elf in Concert
What to Expect:
Live symphony performance of John Debney's score to the holiday classic "Elf."
Description:
Relive the heartwarming holiday classic "Elf" with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing John Debney's score live, accompanied by the film on a giant screen.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Elf in Concert
East Garfield Park Other Holiday Activities
McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Free ice skating with breathtaking city views.
Description:
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park offers free admission with online reservations required. Enjoy ice skating surrounded by the Chicago skyline and iconic landmarks like The Bean. Free skating lessons are available for beginners and intermediate skaters.
Where: Chicago | More Info: McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Winter Flower Show: Celebrating Silver
What to Expect:
Commemorating 25 years of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance with stunning silver foliage and vibrant poinsettias.
Description:
The Winter Flower Show: Celebrating Silver at Garfield Park Conservatory highlights the 25th anniversary of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance. Enjoy beautiful silver foliage, lush poinsettias in pink and white hues, and other winter flowers and plants.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winter Flower Show: Celebrating Silver
Jack Frost Christmas Holiday Pop-Up
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with festive lights and photo ops.
Description:
Jack Frost Christmas Holiday Pop-Up is a vibrant outdoor attraction in Fulton Market, Chicago, featuring a Christmas market, ice skating, bumper cars, axe throwing, and festive photo opportunities. Enjoy refreshing cocktails and holiday-themed activities amidst a light-filled Christmas tree walk.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Jack Frost Christmas Holiday Pop-Up
Skating in the Park
What to Expect:
Ice skating with a midnight firework display.
Description:
Skating in the Park offers a fun and festive ice skating experience with various session times throughout the day and evening, including a special midnight firework display on December 31.
Where: Rosemont | More Info: Skating in the Park
Pinkmas
What to Expect:
Interactive art installations with unlimited ice cream.
Description:
Indulge in unlimited ice cream and explore 14 interactive art installations, featuring exclusive treats and unforgettable memories.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Pinkmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- North Lawndale (2 miles)
- West Town (2 miles)
- South Lawndale (3 miles)
- Lower West Side (3 miles)
- Logan Square (3 miles)
- Chicago (3 miles)
- Chicago Loop (4 miles)
- Cicero (4 miles)
- Near North Side (4 miles)
- Bridgeport (4 miles)
- Lincoln Park (4 miles)
- Avondale (4 miles)
- Oak Park (4 miles)
- Brighton Park (4 miles)
- Near South Side (4 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (5 miles)
- Berwyn (5 miles)
- North Center (5 miles)
- Irving Park (5 miles)
- Douglas (5 miles)
- New City (6 miles)
- Gage Park (6 miles)
- Albany Park (6 miles)
- Portage Park (6 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (6 miles)
- Uptown (6 miles)
- Lincoln Square (7 miles)
- Maywood (7 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (7 miles)
- West Englewood (7 miles)
- Edgewater (7 miles)
- West Lawn (8 miles)
- Englewood (8 miles)
- Melrose Park (8 miles)
- Hyde Park (8 miles)
- West Ridge (8 miles)
- Woodlawn (9 miles)
- Rogers Park (9 miles)
- Ashburn (9 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (9 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (10 miles)
- South Shore (10 miles)
- Skokie (11 miles)
- Chatham (11 miles)
- Niles (11 miles)
- Burbank (11 miles)
- Park Ridge (11 miles)
- Morton Grove (12 miles)
- Oak Lawn (12 miles)
- Elmhurst (12 miles)
- South Chicago (12 miles)
- Wilmette (13 miles)
- Morgan Park (13 miles)
- Glenview (14 miles)
- Des Plaines (14 miles)
- Villa Park (15 miles)
- Addison (15 miles)
- Westmont (15 miles)
- Blue Island (15 miles)
- Lombard (16 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (16 miles)
- Darien (17 miles)
- Downers Grove (17 miles)
- Dolton (17 miles)
- Mount Prospect (18 miles)
- Northbrook (18 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (19 miles)
- Glendale Heights (19 miles)
- Harvey (19 miles)
- Orland Park (19 miles)
- Oak Forest (19 miles)
- Lisle (20 miles)
- South Holland (20 miles)
- Woodridge (20 miles)
- Bloomingdale (20 miles)
- Calumet City (20 miles)
- Roselle (21 miles)
- Wheaton (21 miles)
- East Chicago (21 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (21 miles)
- Wheeling (21 miles)
- Highland Park (21 miles)
- Tinley Park (22 miles)
- Carol Stream (22 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (22 miles)
- Bolingbrook (23 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (23 miles)
- Homer Glen (23 miles)
- Palatine (23 miles)
- Lansing (23 miles)
- Naperville (24 miles)
- Munster (24 miles)
- Hanover Park (24 miles)
- Romeoville (26 miles)
- West Chicago (26 miles)
- Bartlett (26 miles)
- Highland (26 miles)
- Chicago Heights (26 miles)
- Streamwood (26 miles)
- Park Forest (27 miles)
- Gary (27 miles)
- Lockport (27 miles)
- Vernon Hills (27 miles)
- New Lenox (29 miles)
- Crest Hill (30 miles)
- Schererville (31 miles)
- Mundelein (31 miles)
- Libertyville (31 miles)
- Geneva (31 miles)
- Plainfield (31 miles)
- St. Charles (31 miles)
- South Elgin (31 miles)
- Batavia (31 miles)
- Joliet (31 miles)
- North Chicago (32 miles)
- Elgin (32 miles)
- Aurora (33 miles)
- Carpentersville (33 miles)
- Hobart (33 miles)
- Merrillville (33 miles)
- Portage (34 miles)
- Gurnee (35 miles)
- Oswego (36 miles)
- Algonquin (36 miles)
- Wasco (36 miles)
- Grayslake (36 miles)
- Crown Point (36 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (38 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (39 miles)
- Zion (40 miles)
- Crystal Lake (40 miles)
- Huntley (42 miles)
- McHenry (43 miles)
- Michigan City (43 miles)
- Valparaiso (43 miles)