Get thrilled for the holidays, South Chicago! Check out our guide for all the best events and activities. For those who call South Chicago home and those just visiting, our guide is your festive companion.
Popular events include the Christkindlmarket, where you can experience a blend of festive crafts, delicious food, and the charm of a traditional German holiday market. Another highlight is the City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring live entertainment and the stunning illumination of a massive tree in the heart of the city. And the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a dazzling display of lights along Michigan Avenue. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around South Chicago
- Magnificent Mile Lights Festival (Chicago)
- City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Chicago)
- Christkindlmarket (Chicago)
- Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle)
- Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe)
- Winterland at Gallagher Way (Chicago)
- Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier (Chicago)
- Chicago Thanksgiving Parade (Chicago)
See these and even more events listed below!
South Chicago Holiday Light Displays
City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Iconic tree lighting ceremony with live performances and fireworks.
Description:
The City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a festive event where Chicago's official Christmas tree is illuminated in Millennium Park. The ceremony includes live performances, multiple viewing locations with screens and concessions, and a main stage on Washington Street. It is a significant holiday tradition that marks the start of the festive season.
Where: Chicago | More Info: City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
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 with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, giant helium balloons, marching bands, and musical performances. Over 200 trees along North Michigan Avenue are illuminated with one million lights, culminating in the Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular over the Chicago River.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden
What to Expect:
Dazzling light installations and live music.
Description:
Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden features an illuminated trail with dazzling installations, light, art, and music, creating 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 and immersive winter wonderland experience.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of The Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular display of color, light, and sound. The event features 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter, including a secluded glade strung with fairy lights and kinetic LED tall grasses honoring Midwest native species. Enjoy interactive light displays, warm fires, and delicious meals while experiencing one of the nation's most well-known holiday light displays.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
What to Expect:
Dazzling outdoor light displays and ice-skating rink with breathtaking Lake Michigan views.
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, artisan markets, and award-winning fireworks on Saturdays.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier
South Chicago Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Traditional German-style Christmas market with unique souvenirs and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style Christmas market offering a variety of unique souvenirs, international and local foods, and festive events. Visitors can explore vendor products, 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
South Chicago Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade with diverse entertainment and giant helium balloons.
Description:
The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade is a cherished holiday tradition that kicks off the holiday season with a colorful procession along State Street in downtown Chicago. The event features top marching bands, live music, festive floats, acrobats, equestrians, cultural performances, and larger-than-life helium balloons.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
South Chicago Other Holiday Activities
Winterland at Gallagher Way
What to Expect:
Private chalets and beach-themed igloos with tropical dessert towers.
Description:
Wintrust Winterland at Gallagher Way offers a festive holiday experience with more rides, games, and family-friendly activities. Enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, warm fireplaces, and unparalleled views in private chalets and beach-themed igloos. Snap photos with Santa and explore Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville.
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!
- South Shore (2 miles)
- Chatham (3 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (3 miles)
- Woodlawn (4 miles)
- Hyde Park (4 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (5 miles)
- Englewood (5 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (6 miles)
- West Englewood (6 miles)
- Morgan Park (7 miles)
- New City (7 miles)
- Douglas (7 miles)
- Dolton (7 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (8 miles)
- Ashburn (8 miles)
- Gage Park (8 miles)
- Bridgeport (8 miles)
- Blue Island (9 miles)
- East Chicago (9 miles)
- Calumet City (9 miles)
- Near South Side (9 miles)
- West Lawn (9 miles)
- Chicago (9 miles)
- Brighton Park (9 miles)
- Lower West Side (10 miles)
- South Holland (10 miles)
- Harvey (10 miles)
- Oak Lawn (11 miles)
- Chicago Loop (11 miles)
- South Lawndale (11 miles)
- Burbank (12 miles)
- Near North Side (12 miles)
- North Lawndale (12 miles)
- Lansing (12 miles)
- Munster (12 miles)
- West Town (12 miles)
- East Garfield Park (12 miles)
- Cicero (13 miles)
- Lincoln Park (13 miles)
- Oak Forest (14 miles)
- Highland (14 miles)
- Berwyn (15 miles)
- Logan Square (15 miles)
- Gary (15 miles)
- Oak Park (16 miles)
- Avondale (16 miles)
- North Center (16 miles)
- Uptown (16 miles)
- Tinley Park (17 miles)
- Chicago Heights (17 miles)
- Orland Park (17 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (17 miles)
- Irving Park (17 miles)
- Maywood (18 miles)
- Lincoln Square (18 miles)
- Edgewater (18 miles)
- Albany Park (18 miles)
- Park Forest (18 miles)
- Portage Park (19 miles)
- Schererville (19 miles)
- Melrose Park (19 miles)
- West Ridge (19 miles)
- Rogers Park (19 miles)
- Hobart (21 miles)
- Merrillville (21 miles)
- Darien (22 miles)
- Homer Glen (22 miles)
- Westmont (22 miles)
- Skokie (22 miles)
- Portage (23 miles)
- Elmhurst (23 miles)
- Niles (23 miles)
- Park Ridge (24 miles)
- Morton Grove (24 miles)
- Downers Grove (24 miles)
- Crown Point (24 miles)
- Wilmette (25 miles)
- Villa Park (25 miles)
- Lombard (25 miles)
- Woodridge (26 miles)
- Glenview (26 miles)
- Addison (26 miles)
- Des Plaines (26 miles)
- New Lenox (26 miles)
- Bolingbrook (27 miles)
- Lisle (27 miles)
- Lockport (28 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (28 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (28 miles)
- Romeoville (28 miles)
- Glendale Heights (29 miles)
- Wheaton (30 miles)
- Mount Prospect (30 miles)
- Northbrook (30 miles)
- Naperville (31 miles)
- Crest Hill (31 miles)
- Bloomingdale (31 miles)
- Joliet (31 miles)
- Valparaiso (31 miles)
- Roselle (32 miles)
- Carol Stream (32 miles)
- Highland Park (33 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (34 miles)
- Wheeling (34 miles)
- Michigan City (34 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (34 miles)
- Plainfield (34 miles)
- West Chicago (35 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (35 miles)
- Hanover Park (35 miles)
- Palatine (36 miles)
- Bartlett (37 miles)
- Streamwood (38 miles)
- Aurora (40 miles)
- Vernon Hills (40 miles)
- Batavia (40 miles)
- Geneva (40 miles)
- St. Charles (41 miles)
- Oswego (41 miles)
- South Elgin (42 miles)
- Elgin (43 miles)
- Libertyville (43 miles)
- Mundelein (43 miles)
- North Chicago (43 miles)
- LaPorte (44 miles)
- La Porte (44 miles)
- Carpentersville (45 miles)