Experience the heart of the holidays in West Town! Let our guide lead you to all the community events and activities. Whether you're intimately familiar with West Town or just getting acquainted, this guide maximizes your seasonal joy.
One highlight of the season is the Christkindlmarket, where you can explore a traditional German holiday market filled with unique crafts, festive lights, and seasonal treats. In addition, the enchanting Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum transforms nature into a magical wonderland with stunning light displays. And the ballet performance of The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet is something you definitely don't want to miss during this festive period. For more details on these and other fun events and activities, check out the rest of the page below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around West Town
West Town Holiday Light Displays
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays synchronized to music in The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden.
Description:
Explore 50 acres of The Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular event featuring 17 displays of lights and music that highlight the beauty of trees in winter. The one-mile path is fully ADA compliant, and guests can enjoy warm fires, marshmallows, snacks, and beverages along the trail. New this year, Celebration Circle features interactive light displays in The Gerard T. Donnelly Grand Garden.
Where: Lisle | More Info: Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
West Town Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarket
What to Expect:
Traditional German holiday market with international and local vendors.
Description:
Christkindlmarket is a traditional German-style holiday market offering a wide array 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 filled with the smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst, and hot spiced wine.
Where: Chicago | More Info: Christkindlmarket
West Town 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 ballet that reimagines the classic tale set against the backdrop of Chicago's 1893 World's Fair. Choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, this production features Tchaikovsky's iconic score and a celebrated creative team. The story follows Marie and her mother as they host a holiday party, which is interrupted by the mysterious Great Impresario, leading to a whirlwind journey through the dreamlike fairgrounds.
Where: Chicago | More Info: The Nutcracker by Joffrey Ballet
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- East Garfield Park (2 miles)
- Near North Side (2 miles)
- Chicago Loop (2 miles)
- Lincoln Park (2 miles)
- Logan Square (2 miles)
- Lower West Side (3 miles)
- North Lawndale (3 miles)
- Chicago (3 miles)
- Avondale (4 miles)
- Near South Side (4 miles)
- South Lawndale (4 miles)
- Bridgeport (4 miles)
- North Center (4 miles)
- Douglas (5 miles)
- Uptown (5 miles)
- Irving Park (5 miles)
- Cicero (5 miles)
- Brighton Park (5 miles)
- Belmont Cragin (5 miles)
- Oak Park (6 miles)
- Lincoln Square (6 miles)
- Albany Park (6 miles)
- New City (6 miles)
- Edgewater (6 miles)
- Grand Boulevard (6 miles)
- Portage Park (6 miles)
- Berwyn (7 miles)
- Gage Park (7 miles)
- West Ridge (7 miles)
- Rogers Park (8 miles)
- West Englewood (8 miles)
- Englewood (8 miles)
- Hyde Park (8 miles)
- Chicago Lawn (8 miles)
- West Lawn (9 miles)
- Maywood (9 miles)
- Woodlawn (9 miles)
- Melrose Park (9 miles)
- Greater Grand Crossing (10 miles)
- Skokie (10 miles)
- Ashburn (10 miles)
- South Shore (10 miles)
- Auburn Gresham (11 miles)
- Niles (11 miles)
- Chatham (11 miles)
- Morton Grove (12 miles)
- Park Ridge (12 miles)
- Burbank (12 miles)
- South Chicago (12 miles)
- Wilmette (13 miles)
- Oak Lawn (13 miles)
- Glenview (13 miles)
- Elmhurst (14 miles)
- Morgan Park (14 miles)
- Des Plaines (14 miles)
- Villa Park (16 miles)
- Blue Island (16 miles)
- Addison (16 miles)
- Westmont (17 miles)
- Elk Grove Village (17 miles)
- Lombard (17 miles)
- Dolton (18 miles)
- Northbrook (18 miles)
- Mount Prospect (18 miles)
- Darien (18 miles)
- Downers Grove (18 miles)
- Harvey (20 miles)
- Glendale Heights (20 miles)
- Glen Ellyn (20 miles)
- Orland Park (20 miles)
- Oak Forest (20 miles)
- South Holland (21 miles)
- Calumet City (21 miles)
- Highland Park (21 miles)
- East Chicago (21 miles)
- Bloomingdale (21 miles)
- Wheeling (21 miles)
- Lisle (22 miles)
- Roselle (22 miles)
- Rolling Meadows (22 miles)
- Woodridge (22 miles)
- Wheaton (22 miles)
- Tinley Park (23 miles)
- Buffalo Grove (23 miles)
- Hoffman Estates (23 miles)
- Carol Stream (24 miles)
- Palatine (24 miles)
- Lansing (24 miles)
- Munster (24 miles)
- Bolingbrook (24 miles)
- Homer Glen (24 miles)
- Hanover Park (25 miles)
- Naperville (25 miles)
- Highland (26 miles)
- Gary (27 miles)
- Chicago Heights (27 miles)
- Bartlett (27 miles)
- West Chicago (27 miles)
- Romeoville (27 miles)
- Vernon Hills (27 miles)
- Streamwood (27 miles)
- Park Forest (28 miles)
- Lockport (29 miles)
- New Lenox (30 miles)
- Libertyville (30 miles)
- Mundelein (31 miles)
- Schererville (31 miles)
- North Chicago (31 miles)
- Crest Hill (32 miles)
- Geneva (32 miles)
- South Elgin (32 miles)
- St. Charles (33 miles)
- Elgin (33 miles)
- Plainfield (33 miles)
- Batavia (33 miles)
- Joliet (33 miles)
- Hobart (33 miles)
- Merrillville (33 miles)
- Carpentersville (34 miles)
- Portage (34 miles)
- Aurora (34 miles)
- Gurnee (35 miles)
- Grayslake (36 miles)
- Crown Point (37 miles)
- Algonquin (37 miles)
- Wasco (38 miles)
- Oswego (38 miles)
- Zion (39 miles)
- Lake in the Hills (39 miles)
- Round Lake Beach (39 miles)
- Crystal Lake (41 miles)
- Michigan City (42 miles)
- McHenry (43 miles)
- Valparaiso (43 miles)
- Huntley (43 miles)