Chicagoans experience a mystical Christmas season brimming with festive cheer and activity. Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden and ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo are two light shows that beautify this city. People enjoy ice skating in Maggie Daley Park because of the beautiful views of the city skyline. In the middle of downtown, you’ll find the German-themed Christkindlmarket, where you will find crafts and traditional German foods. Chicago offers an abundance of Christmas activities, from the Magnificent Mile to Millennium Park.
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Christmas Traditions in Chicago
Among the city’s worshippers, Christians make up the majority (71%). Because of its cultural attractions, holiday festivities, and decorations, Chicago is a great spot to spend Christmas. You may feel the Chicago Christmas spirit in a variety of ways, each with its own tradition:
Christmas Lights
No trip to Chicago would be worth it without taking in one of the city’s light displays. These are a few of the ways that Chicagoans rejoice over the winter holidays.
- ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo: At Lincoln Park Zoo, you can see ZooLights, a spectacular light show with millions of lights, some of which move to the music of the performers.
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo: Guests of the Brookfield Zoo may experience the enchantment of the holidays as they meander through the various paths illuminated with over two million sparkling lights.
- Lightspace at Chicago Botanic Garden: Explore the beautiful garden grounds after dark at the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Lightscape, an immersive experience inspired by nature.
- Morton Arboretum Tree Lights: An inspiring outdoor adventure where a paved road spanning one mile runs through the expansive arboretum, providing vistas of lighting installations in Chicago at Christmas.
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Christkindlmarket
The Christkindlmarket in Chicago is a bustling German Christmas markt where you will feel the enchantment of a real German Christmas market. At this annual downtown event, which is open to the public and costs nothing, sellers offer a variety of handmade goods, including glass decorations, cuckoo clocks made of wood, and gloves made of yarn.
Ice Skating
Chicago is home to several outdoor ice rinks, making ice skating a top Chicago Christmas activity. A classic Chicago winter pastime is ice skating on one of the city’s outdoor rinks, the most popular location being the McCormick Tribune Ice Skating Rink at Millennium Park. The rink offers free admission, and skate rentals are between $13 and $15. Skating under the illuminated skyline and the nearby Christmas tree, accompanied by holiday music, creates a memorable atmosphere. Additionally, free skating lessons are available on certain days. Another option is the ice skate rink in Maggie Daley Park, which features a unique ribbon design.
The City of Chicago’s Official Christmas Tree
This local custom dates back over a century and is sure to be one of the largest and brightest holiday traditions in Chicago. From November 17th to January 7th, Millennium Park at the junction of Michigan Ave. and Washington St. displays the 45-foot Colorado Blue Spruce, the City of Chicago’s Official Christmas Tree.
There is a pre-show, holiday programming, and the customary tree lighting with fireworks at the 6 o’clock ceremony on Friday, November 17. On the main stage, guests enjoy performances by DJs, choirs, and dancing troupes, while screens and snacks are available at different spots throughout the park for observing the event. Guests are invited to enjoy ice skating at the adjacent McCormick Tribune Ice Rink or Maggie Daley Skating Ribbon after the lighting ceremony, subject to availability.
Christmas Foods in Chicago
The delicacies that are savored over the holiday season make Christmas in Chicago a gastronomic feast. Here are a few of Chicago’s most beloved holiday dishes:
- Deep-Dish Pizza: A Chicagoan holiday tradition, deep-dish pizza (also called “Chicago-style pizza”) is a mainstay of the city’s pizza culture. Its signature features include cheese filling, chunky tomato sauce, and a buttery, thick crust.
- German Bratwurst: You may find bratwurst at a classic German Christmas market in Chicago, prepared from veal, pig, or beef.
- Garrett Popcorn: One of Chicago’s most famous meals, Garrett Popcorn, is a salty-sweet caramel-crisp-corn mix that is popular around Christmas.
- Hot Apple Cider: A classic holiday drink in Chicago, hot apple cider is a spiced, warm beverage.
- Chocolate Brownie: A decadent and gooey dessert, chocolate brownies are a holiday staple.
A Brief History of Christmas in Chicago
There are many different ways that Chicagoans celebrate Christmas, each with its own long history. In 1913, then-mayor Carter Harrison began the custom of lighting a 35-foot spruce in Grant Park as the official Christmas tree for Chicago. The lighting ceremony took place on Christmas Eve. This custom has developed over the years, and now the tree is sometimes a hybrid of many smaller trees. The German-inspired Christkindlmarket has been a significant tradition since 1996. The Christmas Tree Ship, the State Street Parade, the decorations at Marshall Fields’ Windows, and the Walnut Room are the historical events linked to Christmas in Chicago.
