Organize your perfect festive season in North Chicago with our guide. We’ve gathered all the top holiday events for you. From North Chicago old-timers to fresh faces, this guide ensures a holiday experience to remember.
Popular Events: The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival transforms the city's skyline into a dazzling display of holiday lights, creating a magical backdrop for your festive outings. City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony attracts visitors with its iconic holiday tree and live performances, setting the stage for seasonal cheer. And the Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering a stunning performance that brings the classic tale to life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around North Chicago
- The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Chicago)
- City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Chicago)
- The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet (Chicago)
- Winterland at Gallagher Way (Chicago)
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
See these and even more events listed below!
North Chicago Holiday Light Displays
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
What to Expect:
Largest nighttime parade in the United States with over one million lights.
Description:
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is a day-through-night holiday extravaganza featuring a spectacular parade down North Michigan Avenue with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as grand marshals. The event includes giant helium balloons, marching bands, musical performances, and over 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
City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Illumination of a specially selected Christmas tree in Millennium Park.
Description:
The City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event where the official Christmas tree in Millennium Park is illuminated, marking the start of the holiday season. The tree, which must meet specific criteria, is chosen from nominations submitted by local residents. The ceremony includes live performances and festivities, and the tree remains lit through January 8.
Where: Chicago | More Info: City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music in a fully ADA-compliant path.
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 fires, marshmallow roasts, and snacks at concession tents, or dine at the Ginkgo Restaurant while viewing a laser light finale on Meadow Lake.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
North Chicago Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance inspired by Chicago's 1893 World's Fair.
Description:
The Joffrey Ballet's production of The Nutcracker is a holiday classic set in 1893 Chicago, featuring a celebrated creative team and Tchaikovsky's iconic score.
Where: Chicago | More Info: The Nutcracker by the Joffrey Ballet
North Chicago 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 activities including ice skating, carnival rides, and games. The event features Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville with international food and beverage options. Private chalets and igloos are available for special experiences.
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!
- Gurnee (4 miles)
- Libertyville (6 miles)
- Zion (8 miles)
- Mundelein (9 miles)
- Highland Park (10 miles)
- Vernon Hills (10 miles)
- Grayslake (10 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (13 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (13 miles)
- Wheeling (14 miles)
- Northbrook (14 miles)
- Pleasant Prairie (16 miles)
- Palatine (18 miles)
- Glenview (18 miles)
- Kenosha (18 miles)
- Wilmette (19 miles)
- Mount Prospect (19 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (19 miles)
- Morton Grove (20 miles)
- Des Plaines (20 miles)
- Skokie (21 miles)
- Niles (21 miles)
- Park Ridge (22 miles)
- McHenry (22 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (23 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (23 miles)
- Rogers Park (24 miles)
- West Ridge (24 miles)
- Crystal Lake (25 miles)
- Edgewater (25 miles)
- Lincoln Square (25 miles)
- Albany Park (25 miles)
- Carpentersville (26 miles)
- Algonquin (26 miles)
- Mount Pleasant (26 miles)
- Portage Park (26 miles)
- Irving Park (26 miles)
- Roselle (27 miles)
- Uptown (27 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (27 miles)
- Streamwood (27 miles)
- North Center (27 miles)
- Hanover Park (27 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (27 miles)
- Avondale (28 miles)
- Bloomingdale (28 miles)
- Addison (28 miles)
- Logan Square (29 miles)
- Bartlett (29 miles)
- Melrose Park (29 miles)
- Lincoln Park (30 miles)
- Elmhurst (30 miles)
- Elgin (30 miles)
- Oak Park (31 miles)
- Glendale Heights (31 miles)
- Maywood (31 miles)
- West Town (31 miles)
- Woodstock (31 miles)
- Villa Park (31 miles)
- Near North Side (31 miles)
- East Garfield Park (32 miles)
- Huntley (32 miles)
- Lombard (32 miles)
- Carol Stream (32 miles)
- Chicago Loop (32 miles)
- South Elgin (33 miles)
- North Lawndale (33 miles)
- Berwyn (33 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (33 miles)
- Cicero (33 miles)
- Caledonia (34 miles)
- Lower West Side (34 miles)
- South Lawndale (34 miles)
- Near South Side (34 miles)
- Chicago (34 miles)
- Wheaton (35 miles)
- Bridgeport (35 miles)
- West Chicago (36 miles)
- Brighton Park (36 miles)
- Douglas (36 miles)
- Downers Grove (37 miles)
- New City (37 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (37 miles)
- St. Charles (37 miles)
- Westmont (37 miles)
- Gage Park (37 miles)
- Lisle (38 miles)
- Geneva (38 miles)
- West Lawn (39 miles)
- Oak Creek (39 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (39 miles)
- Hyde Park (39 miles)
- West Englewood (39 miles)
- Englewood (39 miles)
- Wasco (39 miles)
- Woodlawn (40 miles)
- Franklin (40 miles)
- Darien (40 miles)
- South Milwaukee (40 miles)
- Naperville (40 miles)
- Ashburn (40 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (41 miles)
- Batavia (41 miles)
- Burbank (41 miles)
- South Shore (41 miles)
- Woodridge (41 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (41 miles)
- Chatham (42 miles)
- Oak Lawn (43 miles)
- Muskego (43 miles)
- South Chicago (43 miles)
- Greenfield (45 miles)
- Morgan Park (45 miles)
- Bolingbrook (45 miles)