Discover the best holiday events in Highland Park! Explore all the must-see festive highlights with our guide. Whether Highland Park is your everyday reality or your dream destination, our guide brings holiday magic to life.
One of the most anticipated seasonal attractions is the Christkindlmarket, where the spirit of a traditional German Christmas market comes alive with handcrafted goods and delicious seasonal treats. Another highlight is the Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, where the dazzling display of lights marks the official start of the holiday season. And the Holiday Lighting is an event you definitely don't want to miss, featuring stunning decorations that illuminate the town. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Highland Park
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Chicago)
- The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet (Chicago)
- Holiday Lighting
- One of a Kind Holiday Show (Chicago)
- Cookie & Cocoa Crawl
- Stews & Brews
See these and even more events listed below!
Highland Park Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lighting
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday lighting in a historic downtown setting.
Description:
The annual Holiday Lighting event in Highland Park, IL, is a cherished City-sponsored tradition that illuminates Port Clinton Square with festive lights and decorations. The event series continues with holiday activities throughout Downtown Highland Park, offering a variety of seasonal activities.
Where: Highland Park | More Info: Holiday Lighting
Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting ceremony with fireworks.
Description:
The Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event where the city's official Christmas tree is illuminated in Millennium Park. The ceremony includes a main stage on Washington Street with traditional tree lighting, followed by fireworks. Families can enjoy multiple viewing locations with screens and concessions across the park.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Highland Park Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Authentic German holiday market with over 50 vendors and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a traditional German 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
One of a Kind Holiday Show
What to Expect:
Unique, handmade gifts from over 600 artists and makers.
Description:
The One of a Kind Holiday Show brings together over 600 exceptional artists, designers, and makers, offering thousands of handmade products across 20 categories. This premier holiday shopping destination in Chicago features unique, handmade gifts for everyone on your list.
Where: Chicago | More Info: One of a Kind Holiday Show
Highland Park 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 Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker is a holiday spectacle 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
Highland Park Other Holiday Activities
Cookie & Cocoa Crawl
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with cocoa and cookies in a historic neighborhood.
Description:
The Cookie & Cocoa Crawl in the Ravinia District of Highland Park is a festive event where families and children can enjoy cocoa and cookies. It takes place on December 7 from 11:30 AM to 1 PM, offering a delightful holiday experience in a charming neighborhood setting.
Where: Highland Park | More Info: Cookie & Cocoa Crawl
Stews & Brews
What to Expect:
Hearty comfort foods paired with live blues music.
Description:
Stews & Brews is a free, all-ages event offering an array of cold weather comfort foods like chili, pozole, lamb stew, beef stroganoff, Hungarian goulash, potpies, and a variety of soups. Attendees can pair their dishes with dozens of unique brews including craft beers, spiced wine, hot toddies, and mulled ciders. The event features live blues music with performances by Mississippi Heat and Chicago blues master Wayne Baker Brooks.
Where: Highland Park | More Info: Stews & Brews
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Northbrook (4 miles)
- Wheeling (7 miles)
- Glenview (8 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (8 miles)
- Wilmette (9 miles)
- Vernon Hills (10 miles)
- Morton Grove (10 miles)
- North Chicago (10 miles)
- Libertyville (10 miles)
- Mount Prospect (11 miles)
- Skokie (11 miles)
- Des Plaines (11 miles)
- Niles (11 miles)
- Mundelein (12 miles)
- Park Ridge (12 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (13 miles)
- Palatine (13 miles)
- West Ridge (14 miles)
- Rogers Park (14 miles)
- Gurnee (14 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (15 miles)
- Albany Park (15 miles)
- Lincoln Square (15 miles)
- Edgewater (15 miles)
- Portage Park (16 miles)
- Irving Park (16 miles)
- Grayslake (17 miles)
- Uptown (17 miles)
- North Center (17 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (17 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (17 miles)
- Avondale (17 miles)
- Zion (18 miles)
- Logan Square (19 miles)
- Lincoln Park (20 miles)
- Melrose Park (20 miles)
- Roselle (20 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (20 miles)
- Addison (20 miles)
- Oak Park (21 miles)
- Elmhurst (21 miles)
- West Town (21 miles)
- Maywood (21 miles)
- Bloomingdale (21 miles)
- Near North Side (21 miles)
- East Garfield Park (21 miles)
- Hanover Park (22 miles)
- Streamwood (22 miles)
- Chicago Loop (22 miles)
- Villa Park (22 miles)
- North Lawndale (23 miles)
- Berwyn (23 miles)
- Glendale Heights (23 miles)
- Cicero (23 miles)
- Lombard (23 miles)
- Bartlett (24 miles)
- Lower West Side (24 miles)
- South Lawndale (24 miles)
- Carpentersville (24 miles)
- Chicago (24 miles)
- Near South Side (24 miles)
- Bridgeport (25 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (25 miles)
- Carol Stream (25 miles)
- Algonquin (25 miles)
- Brighton Park (26 miles)
- Douglas (26 miles)
- McHenry (26 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (27 miles)
- Elgin (27 miles)
- Crystal Lake (27 miles)
- New City (27 miles)
- Wheaton (27 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (27 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (27 miles)
- Gage Park (27 miles)
- Kenosha (28 miles)
- Downers Grove (28 miles)
- Westmont (28 miles)
- South Elgin (28 miles)
- West Lawn (29 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (29 miles)
- West Englewood (29 miles)
- Hyde Park (29 miles)
- Englewood (29 miles)
- West Chicago (29 miles)
- Woodlawn (30 miles)
- Lisle (30 miles)
- Ashburn (30 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (31 miles)
- Burbank (31 miles)
- Darien (31 miles)
- South Shore (31 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (31 miles)
- Chatham (32 miles)
- St. Charles (32 miles)
- Huntley (32 miles)
- Oak Lawn (33 miles)
- Naperville (33 miles)
- Woodridge (33 miles)
- Geneva (33 miles)
- South Chicago (33 miles)
- Woodstock (34 miles)
- Morgan Park (35 miles)
- Batavia (35 miles)
- Wasco (35 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (36 miles)
- Bolingbrook (36 miles)
- Blue Island (37 miles)
- Orland Park (38 miles)
- Dolton (39 miles)
- Aurora (39 miles)
- Romeoville (40 miles)
- Oak Forest (40 miles)
- Harvey (40 miles)
- Homer Glen (41 miles)
- South Holland (41 miles)
- East Chicago (41 miles)
- Calumet City (42 miles)
- Tinley Park (42 miles)
- Lockport (43 miles)
- Plainfield (44 miles)
- Caledonia (44 miles)
- Oswego (45 miles)
- Lansing (45 miles)