Embark on an exciting holiday adventure in Grand Boulevard with our guide. Discover all the best festive happenings. Whether Grand Boulevard is your backyard or a new adventure, our guide reveals the top holiday events.
One highlight of the season is The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet, a delightful performance that brings the classic tale to life with stunning choreography and vibrant costumes. Another captivating experience is the Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park, where the joy of the holidays is palpable as the massive tree illuminates the evening sky. And the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a brilliant display of lights and festive cheer throughout the iconic shopping district. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Grand Boulevard
- The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Chicago)
- Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park (Chicago)
- The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet (Chicago)
- Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights (Chicago)
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
- Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Winterland at Gallagher Way (Chicago)
See these and even more events listed below!
Grand Boulevard Holiday Light Displays
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Largest nighttime parade in the United States.
Description:
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is a day-through-night holiday extravaganza featuring a spectacular parade down North Michigan Avenue, led by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. The event includes giant helium balloons, marching bands, musical performances, and one million lights illuminating 200 trees. It culminates with the Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular over the Chicago River.
Where: Chicago | More Info: The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park
What to Expect:
Iconic tree lighting ceremony with live performances and fireworks.
Description:
The City of Chicago's official Christmas Tree in Millennium Park will be illuminated during the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring live performances, fireworks, and festive activities.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Immersive light and music installations highlighting tree beauty.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of the Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular light, sound, and color display. The one-mile path is fully ADA compliant, featuring 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Enjoy warm beverages, snacks, and meals at concession tents and the Ginkgo Restaurant while viewing a laser light finale on Meadow Lake.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights features over 3 million lights, including hundreds of luminous LED displays and festive seasonal experiences. Guests can enjoy a thrilling holiday light tunnel, ride the 65-foot Ferris wheel, and indulge in hot chocolate and roasted s'mores by an open fire. The event also includes professional ice carvers and Victorian carolers on select nights.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Lincoln Park Zoo's ZooLights
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Dazzling outdoor light displays and ice-skating with Lake Michigan as a backdrop.
Description:
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier features dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays, an outdoor ice-skating rink, cozy firepits, and the heated Centennial Ferris Wheel. Discover unique finds at local artisan markets and enjoy live music every weekend.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
Grand Boulevard 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 tradition set in Chicago's 1893 World's Fair, featuring Christopher Wheeldon's choreography and Tchaikovsky's classic score. The story follows Marie and her mother as they celebrate Christmas Eve with a surprise visit from the Great Impresario, leading to a whirlwind journey through the fairgrounds. This production showcases a celebrated creative team, including Tony Award-winning designers and puppeteers.
Where: Chicago | More Info: The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet
Grand Boulevard Other Holiday Activities
Winterland at Gallagher Way
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities with unique private event options.
Description:
Winterland at Gallagher Way offers a variety of rides, games, and international food options, including Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville. Enjoy private chalet rentals and beach-themed igloos for a unique holiday experience.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winterland at Gallagher Way
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Douglas (1 miles)
- Hyde Park (2 miles)
- New City (2 miles)
- Bridgeport (2 miles)
- Woodlawn (3 miles)
- Englewood (3 miles)
- Near South Side (3 miles)
- Chicago (3 miles)
- West Englewood (4 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (4 miles)
- Lower West Side (4 miles)
- South Shore (4 miles)
- Brighton Park (4 miles)
- Gage Park (4 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (5 miles)
- Chicago Loop (5 miles)
- Chatham (5 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (5 miles)
- South Lawndale (5 miles)
- Near North Side (6 miles)
- South Chicago (6 miles)
- North Lawndale (6 miles)
- West Lawn (6 miles)
- West Town (6 miles)
- East Garfield Park (6 miles)
- Ashburn (7 miles)
- Cicero (7 miles)
- Lincoln Park (8 miles)
- Logan Square (9 miles)
- Morgan Park (9 miles)
- Berwyn (9 miles)
- Avondale (10 miles)
- Oak Park (10 miles)
- Burbank (10 miles)
- Oak Lawn (10 miles)
- North Center (10 miles)
- Uptown (11 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (11 miles)
- Blue Island (11 miles)
- Irving Park (11 miles)
- Lincoln Square (12 miles)
- Edgewater (12 miles)
- Albany Park (12 miles)
- Dolton (12 miles)
- Maywood (12 miles)
- Portage Park (13 miles)
- West Ridge (13 miles)
- Rogers Park (14 miles)
- Melrose Park (14 miles)
- Harvey (14 miles)
- Calumet City (14 miles)
- East Chicago (15 miles)
- South Holland (15 miles)
- Oak Forest (16 miles)
- Skokie (16 miles)
- Niles (17 miles)
- Orland Park (18 miles)
- Elmhurst (18 miles)
- Lansing (18 miles)
- Morton Grove (18 miles)
- Park Ridge (18 miles)
- Munster (18 miles)
- Westmont (18 miles)
- Wilmette (19 miles)
- Tinley Park (19 miles)
- Darien (19 miles)
- Glenview (20 miles)
- Villa Park (20 miles)
- Highland (20 miles)
- Downers Grove (20 miles)
- Des Plaines (20 miles)
- Lombard (21 miles)
- Gary (21 miles)
- Addison (21 miles)
- Chicago Heights (21 miles)
- Homer Glen (22 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (22 miles)
- Park Forest (22 miles)
- Woodridge (23 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (24 miles)
- Lisle (24 miles)
- Mount Prospect (24 miles)
- Glendale Heights (24 miles)
- Northbrook (24 miles)
- Bolingbrook (25 miles)
- Schererville (25 miles)
- Wheaton (25 miles)
- Bloomingdale (26 miles)
- Roselle (27 miles)
- Romeoville (27 miles)
- Hobart (27 miles)
- Highland Park (27 miles)
- Merrillville (27 miles)
- Naperville (27 miles)
- Carol Stream (27 miles)
- Lockport (28 miles)
- New Lenox (28 miles)
- Wheeling (28 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (28 miles)
- Portage (28 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (29 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (29 miles)
- Palatine (30 miles)
- Hanover Park (30 miles)
- Crown Point (30 miles)
- West Chicago (31 miles)
- Crest Hill (31 miles)
- Joliet (31 miles)
- Bartlett (32 miles)
- Streamwood (32 miles)
- Plainfield (33 miles)
- Vernon Hills (34 miles)
- Geneva (36 miles)
- Batavia (36 miles)
- St. Charles (36 miles)
- Aurora (36 miles)
- Libertyville (37 miles)
- Mundelein (37 miles)
- South Elgin (37 miles)
- Valparaiso (37 miles)
- North Chicago (37 miles)
- Elgin (37 miles)
- Michigan City (38 miles)
- Oswego (39 miles)
- Carpentersville (39 miles)
- Gurnee (41 miles)
- Wasco (41 miles)
- Algonquin (42 miles)
- Grayslake (43 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (45 miles)