Plan your festive adventure in Near South Side with our comprehensive guide. Whether you call Near South Side home or are just visiting, this guide unlocks the best of the season.
Popular Events: Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with "Christmas Around the World" at the Museum of Science and Industry, where dazzling displays celebrate global traditions through enchanting decorations. You’ll also find yourself captivated by Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden, showcasing stunning light installations against the backdrop of beautiful winter landscapes. And the Christkindlmarket is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering authentic German fare and unique handcrafted gifts in a charming holiday market atmosphere. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Near South Side
- Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)
- Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Vintage Holidays in Long Grove (Long Grove)
See these and even more events listed below!
Near South Side Holiday Light Displays
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and live music along an illuminated trail.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated trail with dazzling installations, handcrafted drinks, and live music, creating a memorable winter experience.
Where: Glencoe | More Info: Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Dazzling outdoor light displays and ice-skating rink.
Description:
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier features dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays, an outdoor ice-skating rink, cozy firepits, and the enclosed Centennial Ferris Wheel. Skating is free if you bring your own skates.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
Near South Side Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
German-style holiday market with international and local vendors.
Description:
The Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style holiday market offering a wide array of international and local foods, unique shopping experiences, and festive music. Visitors can explore vendor products from around the world, participate in special events, and enjoy a cozy atmosphere filled with the smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and hot spiced wine.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
Near South Side Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry
What to Expect:
Unique celebration of global holiday traditions with over 50 decorated trees.
Description:
The Museum of Science and Industry's Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light exhibit features over 50 trees decorated by volunteers to represent holiday traditions from cultures around the globe. The event includes a four-story, floor-to-dome Grand Tree and explores rich holiday traditions while creating new ones with loved ones.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry
Vintage Holidays in Long Grove
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday activities in a charming small-town setting.
Description:
Vintage Holidays in Long Grove features a nostalgic holiday experience with quaint shops, old-world charm, and family memories. Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, festive holiday carolers, and merchant specials throughout the historic downtown area.
Where: Long Grove | More Info: Vintage Holidays in Long Grove
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)
- Douglas (2 miles)
- Bridgeport (2 miles)
- Chicago Loop (2 miles)
- Lower West Side (2 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (3 miles)
- Near North Side (3 miles)
- West Town (4 miles)
- New City (4 miles)
- East Garfield Park (4 miles)
- Hyde Park (5 miles)
- South Lawndale (5 miles)
- Brighton Park (5 miles)
- Lincoln Park (5 miles)
- North Lawndale (5 miles)
- Englewood (5 miles)
- Woodlawn (5 miles)
- Gage Park (6 miles)
- West Englewood (6 miles)
- Logan Square (6 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (7 miles)
- Cicero (7 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (7 miles)
- South Shore (7 miles)
- Avondale (7 miles)
- North Center (7 miles)
- West Lawn (8 miles)
- Uptown (8 miles)
- Chatham (8 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (8 miles)
- Oak Park (8 miles)
- Berwyn (9 miles)
- Ashburn (9 miles)
- Irving Park (9 miles)
- South Chicago (9 miles)
- Lincoln Square (9 miles)
- Edgewater (9 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (9 miles)
- Albany Park (9 miles)
- Portage Park (10 miles)
- West Ridge (10 miles)
- Rogers Park (11 miles)
- Maywood (11 miles)
- Burbank (12 miles)
- Morgan Park (12 miles)
- Oak Lawn (12 miles)
- Melrose Park (12 miles)
- Skokie (13 miles)
- Blue Island (14 miles)
- Niles (14 miles)
- Morton Grove (15 miles)
- Dolton (15 miles)
- Park Ridge (15 miles)
- Wilmette (16 miles)
- Elmhurst (17 miles)
- Glenview (17 miles)
- Harvey (17 miles)
- Calumet City (17 miles)
- East Chicago (17 miles)
- South Holland (18 miles)
- Des Plaines (18 miles)
- Westmont (19 miles)
- Oak Forest (19 miles)
- Villa Park (19 miles)
- Darien (19 miles)
- Addison (19 miles)
- Orland Park (20 miles)
- Lombard (20 miles)
- Downers Grove (20 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (20 miles)
- Lansing (21 miles)
- Munster (21 miles)
- Tinley Park (21 miles)
- Northbrook (21 miles)
- Mount Prospect (22 miles)
- Highland (23 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (23 miles)
- Glendale Heights (23 miles)
- Gary (23 miles)
- Woodridge (23 miles)
- Lisle (23 miles)
- Homer Glen (24 miles)
- Highland Park (24 miles)
- Chicago Heights (24 miles)
- Bloomingdale (24 miles)
- Wheaton (25 miles)
- Wheeling (25 miles)
- Roselle (25 miles)
- Bolingbrook (25 miles)
- Park Forest (25 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (25 miles)
- Carol Stream (27 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (27 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (27 miles)
- Naperville (27 miles)
- Palatine (27 miles)
- Schererville (28 miles)
- Romeoville (28 miles)
- Hanover Park (29 miles)
- Lockport (29 miles)
- Hobart (29 miles)
- New Lenox (30 miles)
- West Chicago (30 miles)
- Merrillville (30 miles)
- Portage (30 miles)
- Bartlett (30 miles)
- Streamwood (31 miles)
- Vernon Hills (31 miles)
- Crest Hill (32 miles)
- Joliet (33 miles)
- Crown Point (33 miles)
- Plainfield (34 miles)
- Libertyville (34 miles)
- Mundelein (34 miles)
- North Chicago (34 miles)
- Geneva (35 miles)
- Batavia (35 miles)
- St. Charles (35 miles)
- South Elgin (36 miles)
- Elgin (36 miles)
- Aurora (36 miles)
- Carpentersville (37 miles)
- Gurnee (38 miles)
- Michigan City (39 miles)
- Oswego (39 miles)
- Valparaiso (39 miles)
- Grayslake (40 miles)
- Algonquin (40 miles)
- Wasco (40 miles)
- Zion (42 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (43 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (43 miles)
- Crystal Lake (44 miles)