Here’s The Chicago Good Life Guide to Fun and Free Holiday Things to Do in Chicago this year!

🎄Holiday Attractions in Chicago with Free Admission🎄

❄️ Christkindlmarket – Christkindlmarket downtown is the quintessential Chicago holiday experience. With two locations, Daley Plaza and Aurora, enjoy shopping, drinking, and eating through this festive German village. The annual holiday mugs are super cute this year! If you’re a cheese-lover, don’t miss the Raclette sandwich! Free to attend. Both locations open on November 22, 2024.

❄️ Winterland at Gallagher Way – My family and I love visiting Gallagher Way during the holidays! This year features bumper cars, Santa’s Chalet, live music, and concessions. More info on ride tickets is coming soon! Free to attend. December 6-22, 2024.

❄️ ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo – This event is one of our favorites of the year! Lincoln Park Zoo transforms into a magical wonderland filled with sights and fun. With over 3 million lights, you can enjoy live ice carving, ride the Ferris wheel, roast s’mores, and much more. Most Mondays are free, while other days range from $7 to $10. November 15, 2024–January 5, 2025.

❄️ Light Up the Lake – Light Up the Lake at Navy Pier features tons of outdoor lights that you can stroll through for free with an incredible city skyline behind you. They’re advertising a new ice slide, axe throwing, and firepits on top of their usual carnival rides like the Centennial Wheel and teacup ride. Free to attend. November 29 – January 5, 2025.

For our complete guide to Outdoor Holiday Attractions, see Bright Lights in the Big City: Chicago Outdoor Holiday Attractions.

⛸️Free Ice Rinks with Your Own Skates⛸️

❄️ Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park: Open Skate is open to all ages and pre-registration is required.
Skate rentals are $7 for all ages. November 29, 2024 – February 17, 2025.

❄️ Parkway Bank Park in Rosemont: The ice rink in Rosemont is a fantastic spot for a fun day out! After you’ve worked up an appetite on the ice, be sure to check out one of the many cozy restaurants nearby for a delicious meal. Skate rentals are $8 for all ages. November 23, 2024 – January 26, 2025.

❄️ McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park – The rink is right below the Bean and has incredible skyline views. Reservations open two weeks ahead of the session date. Admission is free, and ice skates can be rented for a fee. Skate rentals start at $16. November 15, 2024 – February 2, 2025.

❄️ The Ice Skating Ribbon at Maggie Daley Park -This beautiful outdoor rink gives you great city views. Online reservations are released two weeks before the session date. Skate rentals start at $17. November 15, 2024 – March 9, 2025.

For our complete guide to ice skating this winter, see Winter Magic: Best Ice Skating and Curling Spots in Chicago.

⛄Free Holiday Events in Chicago⛄

❄️ Southport Holiday Stroll & Cocktail Crawl – is free to attend and includes special deals from local businesses, carol singers, photos with Santa, holiday treats, and other surprises! The Cocktail Crawl starts at $25 per ticket but they sell fast! December 6, 2024.

❄️ Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along – Stop by The Bean and experience the joy of singing together. Every Friday at 6 PM, from December 6 to December 20.

❄️ Hyde Park Holly-Day – The University of Chicago presents a day of free, fun activities for the whole family, like ice skating (yes, even free skate rentals!), ice carving demonstrations, holiday crafts, photos with Santa, live reindeer, Buddy the Elf, and more! December 7, 2024.

❄️ Andersonville Holiday Trolley – Andersonville’s festive holiday trolley will help you shop in the neighborhood. It runs on a loop down Clark Street, allowing you to hop on and off as needed! December 7-8, 2024.

❄️ Art on the Mart – ‘Wavelength’ – Pull up a chair or bring a blanket to the Chicago Riverwalk and watch the winter light installion on the side of the Merchandise Mart. November 22 – December 30, 2024.

🚗Make your Own Holiday Light-Seeing Tour🚗

❄️ The Home Alone House – This Winnetka home was the filming location for the Home Alone house! The neighborhood goes all out, so put on some holiday tunes and do a drive-by “light-seeing!” No official date, December most likely.

❄️ Sauganash/Lincolnwood Holiday Lights – another great neighborhood for a drive-thru light-seeing!

❄️ Stroll down the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue and see how many Christmas trees you can count!

❄️Check this list for a fantastic resource made by a local mom on holiday lights in the Chicagoland area!

That’s what I have for now, but please let me know what I’m missing!

Wishing you a wonderful winter!

Christine

Holiday Headquarters

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