Welcome to the ultimate guide for holiday fun in Edgewater! Discover all the best festive events and attractions. Whether Edgewater is your home or your holiday stop, our guide showcases the top seasonal events.
This season, experience the stunning sights at the Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park, where a magnificent tree and vibrant decorations create a festive atmosphere for all. With a lively ice skating rink nearby, Winterland at Gallagher Way offers family-friendly attractions, including holiday markets and beautiful light displays. And the enchanting Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring dazzling light installations and a festive atmosphere by the water. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Edgewater
- Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park (Chicago)
- Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
- Winterland at Gallagher Way (Chicago)
- Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Christkindlmarket Aurora (Aurora)
- Christmas Lights Trolley Tour (Utica)
- Caroling at the Carillon (Springfield)
- Lunch with Santa on the Train (Monticello)
See these and even more events listed below!
Edgewater Holiday Light Displays
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Largest indoor and outdoor holiday experience in Chicago with over 600,000 twinkling lights.
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. Interactive light displays, local artisan markets, and live music add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park
What to Expect:
Towering, preferably Norway Spruce or Fir tree.
Description:
The Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park is a towering, 45-foot or taller tree, preferably a Norway Spruce or Fir, that will be illuminated on November 22 at 6 PM. The tree will remain lit through January 8, 2025, serving as the centerpiece of the city's beloved holiday traditions.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Chicago Christmas Tree in Millennium Park
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized light and animal displays.
Description:
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic features over two million twinkling LED lights, giant illuminated animals, and immersive light displays. Guests can stroll through 300-foot light tunnels, visit Santa, and enjoy seasonal attractions like the Carousel and virtual reality experiences.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light and art installations along a 1.3-mile trail.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden is an illuminated trail featuring dazzling installations, light, art, and music, showcasing nature's beauty in a festive setting.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays and an outdoor ice-skating rink.
Description:
Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier features dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays, an outdoor ice-skating rink, and cozy firepits, making it a premier holiday experience in Chicago.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
Edgewater Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket Aurora
What to Expect:
Traditional German market with diverse vendors and festive activities.
Description:
Christkindlmarket Aurora is a German-style outdoor market at RiverEdge Park, featuring international and local vendors offering unique shopping, live entertainment, and original food and beverages.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Christkindlmarket Aurora
Edgewater Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Caroling at the Carillon
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with caroling and activities.
Description:
Gather around a roaring bonfire to sing Christmas carols accompanied by the beautiful music of the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon. Enjoy family-friendly holiday activities, crafts, photo ops, and Santa visits. Complimentary snacks and drinks are provided, including apple cider and cookies.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Caroling at the Carillon
Edgewater Other Holiday Activities
Winterland at Gallagher Way
What to Expect:
Unique blend of rides, games, and festive food options.
Description:
Winterland at Gallagher Way offers a variety of rides, games, and family-friendly activities, including ice skating and festive food options. The event features private chalets and igloos for special experiences, and admission to Gallagher Way activities is free.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winterland at Gallagher Way
Lunch with Santa on the Train
What to Expect:
Personalized Santa visits and kid-friendly meal options.
Description:
Join us for Lunch with Santa on the Train at the Wabash Depot in Monticello, Illinois. Enjoy a train ride, individual visit with Santa, and a kid-friendly sack lunch. The event offers both coach tickets and a Deluxe Dining Car experience with turkey sandwiches, chips, cookies, and commemorative keepsakes.
Where: Monticello | More Info: Lunch with Santa on the Train
Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
What to Expect:
Narrated trolley tour with scenic boat ride.
Description:
A guided trolley tour through Starved Rock State Park, featuring historic and legendary stories of the area, followed by a scenic boat ride on the new river boat "The Eagle I" to view the beautiful fall foliage.
Where: Utica | More Info: Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Uptown (1 miles)
- Lincoln Square (1 miles)
- Rogers Park (2 miles)
- West Ridge (2 miles)
- North Center (2 miles)
- Albany Park (3 miles)
- Avondale (4 miles)
- Irving Park (4 miles)
- Lincoln Park (4 miles)
- Logan Square (5 miles)
- Skokie (5 miles)
- Portage Park (5 miles)
- Near North Side (6 miles)
- West Town (6 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (6 miles)
- Wilmette (7 miles)
- Chicago Loop (7 miles)
- Morton Grove (7 miles)
- East Garfield Park (7 miles)
- Niles (8 miles)
- Glenview (9 miles)
- Lower West Side (9 miles)
- North Lawndale (9 miles)
- Near South Side (9 miles)
- Oak Park (9 miles)
- Chicago (9 miles)
- Park Ridge (9 miles)
- South Lawndale (10 miles)
- Bridgeport (10 miles)
- Douglas (11 miles)
- Cicero (11 miles)
- Berwyn (11 miles)
- Melrose Park (11 miles)
- Brighton Park (12 miles)
- Maywood (12 miles)
- Des Plaines (12 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (12 miles)
- New City (12 miles)
- Northbrook (13 miles)
- Gage Park (13 miles)
- Hyde Park (14 miles)
- Englewood (14 miles)
- West Englewood (14 miles)
- Woodlawn (14 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (14 miles)
- West Lawn (15 miles)
- Mount Prospect (15 miles)
- Elmhurst (15 miles)
- Highland Park (15 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (16 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (16 miles)
- South Shore (16 miles)
- Ashburn (16 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (17 miles)
- Chatham (17 miles)
- Addison (17 miles)
- Wheeling (17 miles)
- South Chicago (18 miles)
- Villa Park (18 miles)
- Burbank (18 miles)
- Lombard (19 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (19 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (19 miles)
- Oak Lawn (19 miles)
- Morgan Park (20 miles)
- Westmont (21 miles)
- Palatine (21 miles)
- Glendale Heights (21 miles)
- Roselle (21 miles)
- Bloomingdale (21 miles)
- Downers Grove (22 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (22 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (22 miles)
- Blue Island (23 miles)
- Darien (23 miles)
- Vernon Hills (23 miles)
- Dolton (24 miles)
- Wheaton (24 miles)
- Lisle (25 miles)
- Carol Stream (25 miles)
- Hanover Park (25 miles)
- North Chicago (25 miles)
- Libertyville (25 miles)
- Woodridge (26 miles)
- Harvey (26 miles)
- Mundelein (26 miles)
- East Chicago (26 miles)
- Orland Park (26 miles)
- Calumet City (26 miles)
- Streamwood (27 miles)
- South Holland (27 miles)
- Oak Forest (27 miles)
- Bartlett (27 miles)
- Naperville (28 miles)
- West Chicago (29 miles)
- Bolingbrook (29 miles)
- Tinley Park (29 miles)
- Gurnee (29 miles)
- Lansing (30 miles)
- Munster (30 miles)
- Homer Glen (30 miles)
- Gary (32 miles)
- Grayslake (32 miles)
- Highland (32 miles)
- Elgin (32 miles)
- Romeoville (32 miles)
- Carpentersville (32 miles)
- South Elgin (32 miles)
- Chicago Heights (33 miles)
- Zion (33 miles)
- St. Charles (33 miles)
- Geneva (34 miles)
- Lockport (34 miles)
- Park Forest (34 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (35 miles)
- Batavia (35 miles)
- Algonquin (35 miles)
- New Lenox (36 miles)
- Schererville (36 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (37 miles)
- Aurora (37 miles)
- Crest Hill (37 miles)
- Plainfield (37 miles)
- Hobart (38 miles)
- Portage (38 miles)
- Crystal Lake (38 miles)
- Wasco (38 miles)
- Joliet (38 miles)
- Merrillville (39 miles)
- McHenry (39 miles)
- Oswego (41 miles)
- Huntley (41 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (42 miles)
- Crown Point (42 miles)
- Kenosha (42 miles)
- Michigan City (44 miles)