Chicago transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season and hosts magical events for the whole family to enjoy. Explore unforgettable kid-friendly activities, such as holiday light shows and Santa meet and greets, that will make for memories to last a lifetime. Afterall, the holiday season is the best in the middle of the Midwest!
Chicago’s Christmas Events for Families
Wintrust Magnificent Lights Festival
This festive evening parade is led by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and features decorated floats with tons of other popular characters. Earlier in the day, families can attend the Lights Festival Lane where there will be balloon twisting, photos with Santa, and more. (November 22nd)
Holiday Afternoon Tea at The Drake
Many children dream of having a real-life tea party and at The Drake families can enjoy tea and bite-sized tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries (perfect for kids). Live carolers will also be performing on select days and admission for children ages 3-12 is discounted at $38. (Beginning November 6th)
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Party
In this interactive trunk and puppet show, four adorable Beatrix Potter favorites come to life while recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. After the show, children can go to the lobby and play with puppets, take photos with the cast, and delight in a spread of holiday treats. This holiday family tradition is recommended for children ages 8 and up. (Runs Dec 6 - 28, 2025)
Home for the Holidays Oak Park
Families can get into the holiday spirit at this event on December 20th that features horse-drawn carriage rides, photos with Santa, and free hot cocoa at participating businesses in the area.
Best Light Shows for Children
Winter WonderFest
Navy Pier’s Winter WonderFest returns from December 5, 2025, to January 4, 2026, bringing Chicago’s most beloved indoor holiday celebration back to life. Guests can enjoy a winter wonderland filled with sparkling decorations, exciting rides, ice skating, and festive activities perfect for all ages. Don’t miss the chance to make lasting holiday memories.
Lincoln Park ZooLights
The festive fun continues with Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights, running from November 21, 2025 through January 4, 2026. Guests can enjoy kids-friendly activities such as cookie decorating workshops, holiday carousels, and photo ops with Santa, plus a special sensory-friendly night where lights remain static and music is turned down for a calmer experience. Don’t miss out on this dazzling holiday light-filled tradition!
Lightscapes at Chicago Botanic Garden
This is the ultimate sensory experience for children where they can walk a trail featuring dazzling light-up structures, movements, shapes, colors, and festive holiday sounds. The experience runs from November 14, 2025 through January 4, 2026 at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Children under 2 get in free and there’s a discount for kids under 12 as well.
Chicago’s Family Holiday Activities
Christkindlmarket Chicago
Children can experience the Christkindlmarket Chicago (Nov 21 – Dec 24, 2025) at Daley Plaza, where they can pick up a Kinder Club passport filled with riddles and on-site activities. Families are also invited to take part in a lantern parade, where kids can collect lanterns and goodie bags and stroll through the market while singing Christmas carols.
McCormick Park Ice Rink
Millennium Park has free ice skating lessons at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink for kids and they also provide penguin shaped skating aids that provide a cute friend for stability to skate along the ice with.
Christmas Around the World and Holiday Lights at The Museum of Science and Industry
Families can teach their children about the different ways that people celebrate the holidays across the globe in this interactive museum walkthrough for an educating and entertaining experience. The display features lots of enchanting Christmas tree forests and tickets for children under 11 are only $15.
Lunch at The American Girl Place
The American Girl Place is the perfect spot to celebrate the holidays with children. Kids can pick out holiday outfits for their dolls, as well as get their hair done alongside them at the salon. The store also hosts holiday events such as holiday cookie decorating and holiday tea parties on various dates in December.
Christmas Tree Hunt Down Michigan Avenue
Michigan Avenue is home to a bunch of big trees that can be spotted at Millenium Park, The Tribune Building, and more. Start with the City of Chicago tree lighting on November 21st, then take an adventure and see how many your family can spot!
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