Feel the holiday buzz in Lower West Side! Discover all the festive events and activities with our guide. Whether you're a Lower West Side native or a seasonal visitor, this guide helps you navigate the festive landscape.
In this vibrant season, the Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park stands out with its dazzling display of twinkling lights and joyful atmosphere. The beloved Christkindlmarket offers a taste of traditional German holiday cheer, featuring handcrafted gifts and delicious seasonal treats. And the Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a spectacular light display that brings the zoo to life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Lower West Side
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park (Chicago)
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield)
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
- The Nutcracker at Lyric Opera of Chicago (Chicago)
- Vintage Holidays in Long Grove (Long Grove)
- Light Up the Lake (Chicago)
- Willow Hill Lights (Northbrook)
See these and even more events listed below!
Lower West Side Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park
What to Expect:
Live performances and fireworks accompany the tree lighting.
Description:
The City of Chicago's official Christmas Tree in Millennium Park is a 45-foot Colorado Blue Spruce that will be illuminated on November 17 at 6 p.m. The event features live performances, fireworks, and Santa Claus. Visitors can also enjoy ice skating and explore the Chicago Christkindlmarket.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christmas Tree Lighting at Millennium Park
Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with giant illuminated animals.
Description:
Brookfield Zoo's Holiday Magic features over two million twinkling LED lights, giant illuminated animals, and immersive light displays. Guests can explore 300-foot light tunnels, visit Santa, and enjoy festive shopping and dining options.
Where: Brookfield | More Info: Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and handcrafted drinks.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated trail with dazzling light installations, handcrafted drinks, and music, making it a memorable winter experience.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized with music in the Grand Garden.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of The Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular light and sound display. The 2024 exhibition features 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. Enjoy immersive installations, warm fires, and delicious meals while strolling along a one-mile ADA-compliant path.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Winter WonderFest 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 the heated Centennial Ferris Wheel. Enjoy live music, local artisan markets, axe throwing, and award-winning fireworks on Saturdays.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
Light Up the Lake
What to Expect:
Dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays and ice-skating rink.
Description:
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier is the largest indoor and outdoor holiday experience in Chicago, featuring dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays, an outdoor ice-skating rink, cozy firepits, and the enclosed Centennial Ferris Wheel.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Light Up the Lake
Willow Hill Lights
What to Expect:
2.5-mile drive-through light display with synchronized music.
Description:
Willow Hill Lights is a premier drive-thru holiday lights show featuring over one million LED lights, a 2.5-mile journey, and festive displays including dinosaurs, Toy Land, and holiday favorites.
Where: Northbrook | More Info: Willow Hill Lights
Holiday Magic in Motion
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday decor experience with augmented reality.
Description:
Holiday Magic in Motion at The Promenade Bolingbrook features vibrant open-air retail and entertainment with sparkling lights, augmented reality, and interactive elements. Visitors can stroll through twinkling lights, see illuminated displays, and encounter Santa. The event includes local entertainment, photos with Santa, and vendors selling food, coffee, and sweets.
Where: Bolingbrook | More Info: Holiday Magic in Motion
Chicago’s BYOB Party Bus Holiday Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Boozy twist on a holiday lights tour with express entry to top attractions.
Description:
Join Chicago's exclusive BYOB Party Bus Holiday Lights Tour for a 4.5-hour journey through the city's top holiday attractions. Enjoy express entry into the Christkindlmarket and Zoo Lights, along with complimentary apps, drink deals, and souvenir Santa hats. The tour includes visits to The Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park Christmas Tree, State Street, and Macy's Holiday Display, all while enjoying music playlists provided by DJ Tecknique.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Chicago’s BYOB Party Bus Holiday Lights Tour
Winter Lights at Aurora
What to Expect:
Illuminated parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Winter Lights in downtown Aurora features a festive parade, tree lighting, and fireworks display, along with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event includes food vendors, costumed characters, and musical entertainment, making it a fun-filled evening for the entire family.
Where: Aurora | More Info: Winter Lights at Aurora
Lower West Side Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
German-style holiday market with free admission and diverse shopping and dining options.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style holiday market offering a variety of international and local foods, unique shopping experiences, and festive events. Visitors can explore vendor products, participate in special events, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
Lower West Side Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker at Lyric Opera of Chicago
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance blending historical and fantastical elements.
Description:
The Nutcracker at Lyric Opera of Chicago is a holiday ballet performance by the Joffrey Ballet, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon. Set to Tchaikovsky's classic score, it takes inspiration from Chicago's 1893 World's Fair, featuring a celebrated creative team and a whirlwind journey through dreamlike fairgrounds.
Where: Chicago | More Info: The Nutcracker at Lyric Opera of Chicago
Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
What to Expect:
Narrated tour highlighting local history and legends.
Description:
Embark on a scenic trolley tour through historic downtown Utica and the Starved Rock Visitor center, learning about the National Historic Landmark known as Starved Rock State Park Lodge.
Where: Utica | More Info: Christmas Lights Trolley Tour
Lower West Side Other Holiday Activities
Vintage Holidays in Long Grove
What to Expect:
Horse-drawn carriage rides through historic downtown Long Grove.
Description:
Vintage Holidays in Long Grove features a classic holiday small town experience with quaint shops, old-world charm, and family memories. The event includes a new Holiday Walk, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa in the village, and caroling around town. Merchants will offer decorations, specials on merchandise, seasonal food, and drinks.
Where: Long Grove | More Info: Vintage Holidays in Long Grove
Caroling at the Carillon
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with caroling and festive activities.
Description:
Gather around a roaring bonfire at the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon in Springfield, Illinois, to sing Christmas carols accompanied by the beautiful music of the carillon. Enjoy family-friendly holiday activities, including crafts, photo opportunities, and visits with Santa, along with complimentary snacks and drinks.
Where: Springfield | More Info: Caroling at the Carillon
Lunch with Santa on the Train
What to Expect:
Unique dining car experience with Santa visit and kid-friendly meal.
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 Deluxe Dining Car experience includes a turkey sandwich from Subway, chips, a cookie, water, and a commemorative keepsake.
Where: Monticello | More Info: Lunch with Santa on the Train
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Chicago (1 miles)
- Bridgeport (1 miles)
- Near South Side (2 miles)
- South Lawndale (3 miles)
- Chicago Loop (3 miles)
- East Garfield Park (3 miles)
- North Lawndale (3 miles)
- West Town (3 miles)
- Douglas (3 miles)
- Brighton Park (3 miles)
- New City (3 miles)
- Near North Side (4 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (4 miles)
- Gage Park (4 miles)
- Cicero (5 miles)
- Lincoln Park (5 miles)
- Logan Square (5 miles)
- Englewood (5 miles)
- West Englewood (5 miles)
- Hyde Park (6 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (6 miles)
- Woodlawn (6 miles)
- Avondale (6 miles)
- West Lawn (6 miles)
- Oak Park (6 miles)
- Berwyn (7 miles)
- North Center (7 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (7 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (8 miles)
- Ashburn (8 miles)
- Uptown (8 miles)
- Irving Park (8 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (8 miles)
- South Shore (8 miles)
- Chatham (8 miles)
- Albany Park (8 miles)
- Lincoln Square (8 miles)
- Portage Park (9 miles)
- Edgewater (9 miles)
- Maywood (9 miles)
- South Chicago (10 miles)
- West Ridge (10 miles)
- Burbank (10 miles)
- Melrose Park (10 miles)
- Rogers Park (11 miles)
- Oak Lawn (11 miles)
- Morgan Park (11 miles)
- Skokie (13 miles)
- Niles (13 miles)
- Blue Island (14 miles)
- Park Ridge (14 miles)
- Morton Grove (14 miles)
- Elmhurst (14 miles)
- Dolton (15 miles)
- Wilmette (15 miles)
- Glenview (16 miles)
- Westmont (16 miles)
- Des Plaines (17 miles)
- Villa Park (17 miles)
- Harvey (17 miles)
- Darien (17 miles)
- Addison (17 miles)
- Lombard (18 miles)
- South Holland (18 miles)
- Oak Forest (18 miles)
- Calumet City (18 miles)
- Downers Grove (18 miles)
- Orland Park (18 miles)
- East Chicago (18 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (19 miles)
- Mount Prospect (20 miles)
- Tinley Park (20 miles)
- Northbrook (21 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (21 miles)
- Glendale Heights (21 miles)
- Lansing (21 miles)
- Woodridge (21 miles)
- Lisle (21 miles)
- Munster (22 miles)
- Homer Glen (22 miles)
- Bloomingdale (23 miles)
- Wheaton (23 miles)
- Roselle (23 miles)
- Bolingbrook (23 miles)
- Highland (24 miles)
- Highland Park (24 miles)
- Wheeling (24 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (24 miles)
- Chicago Heights (24 miles)
- Gary (24 miles)
- Carol Stream (24 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (25 miles)
- Park Forest (25 miles)
- Naperville (25 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (25 miles)
- Palatine (26 miles)
- Romeoville (26 miles)
- Hanover Park (27 miles)
- Lockport (27 miles)
- West Chicago (28 miles)
- Schererville (28 miles)
- New Lenox (28 miles)
- Bartlett (28 miles)
- Streamwood (29 miles)
- Vernon Hills (30 miles)
- Crest Hill (30 miles)
- Hobart (31 miles)
- Merrillville (31 miles)
- Joliet (31 miles)
- Portage (32 miles)
- Plainfield (32 miles)
- Geneva (33 miles)
- Libertyville (33 miles)
- Mundelein (33 miles)
- Batavia (33 miles)
- St. Charles (33 miles)
- South Elgin (34 miles)
- North Chicago (34 miles)
- Crown Point (34 miles)
- Elgin (34 miles)
- Aurora (34 miles)
- Carpentersville (36 miles)
- Oswego (37 miles)
- Gurnee (38 miles)
- Wasco (38 miles)
- Algonquin (39 miles)
- Grayslake (39 miles)
- Valparaiso (41 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (41 miles)
- Michigan City (41 miles)
- Zion (42 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (42 miles)
- Crystal Lake (43 miles)
- Huntley (45 miles)