This post is dedicated to all of my planners out there, if you are a procrastinator, keep scrolling. To my ahead-of-the-schedule folks, here is a post for you with all the deadlines for Chicago holiday tickets coming out soon. We know many holiday events sell out quickly. I also added a list below of what usually sells out, but no information has been released yet! I hope it’s helpful. Feel free to share it and add it to your group chat to get those holiday plans booked!

Holiday events with booking Links and when tickets go live

1. Walnut Room at Macy’s (Nov 2 – Jan 12) – tickets are available now on their website, but December is sold out already! Reservations are still available on weekdays in early November and January.
2. Macy’s Santaland (Nov 2 – Dec 24) – reservations are available now.
3. Holiday Afternoon Tea Service at the Drake’s Palm Court (Nov 7 – Jan 5) – reservations are available. They also have a special tea service on the day of the Magnificent Mile Light Festival Parade, but only at earlier times. The parade starts at 5:30.
4. Zoolights at Lincoln Park Zoo (Nov 15 – Jan 5) – tickets are on sale now. Holidaze tickets are discounted until October 28!
5. Lightscape at Chicago Botanic Garden (Nov 15 – Jan 5) – available now on their website.
6. Holiday Afternoon Tea and Rudolph’s Rooftop Winter Igloos at LondonHouse Chicago (Nov 16 – Jan 31) – reservations for afternoon tea are open and inquiries about igloos can be made now!
7. Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum (Nov 16 – Jan 4) – tickets are available now.
8. MSI Christmas Around the World (Nov 16 – Jan 6) – included in the Museum Entry – tickets are available now.
9. A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre (Nov 16 – Dec 30) – tickets are available.
10. Illuminate 900: Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting (Nov 21) – available now here
11. Culture and Cheer Tours at the Christkindlmarket Chicago (Nov 22 – Dec 23) – available now.
12. Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo (Nov 22 – Dec 31) – tickets are available now. They have a 21-and-over Sip & Stroll on November 21 and tickets are available.
13. Brunch with Santa at Harry Caray’s at Navy Pier (Nov 24) – Reserve a table here
14. Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time at Allstate Arena (Nov 27) – Tickets are available now.
15. Sound of Music Singalong at Music Box Theatre (Nov 29 – Dec 5) – Tickets are available now!
16. Breakfast with Santa at Drury Lane (Nov 29 – Dec 21) – Reserve a table here.
17. Pinstripes Chicago Brunch with Santa (Saturdays and Sundays Nov 30-Dec 22) – reservations available on Tock now.
18. Lambs Farm Breakfast with Santa (Dec 7, 8, 14 & 15) – Make your reservations by calling the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery at 847.362.5050.
19. The Nutcracker by Joffrey. (Dec 6-28) Available now.
20. Brunch with Santa and Ms. Claus at Carnivale (Dec 8, 15, 22) Reserve a table now.
21. The Hip Hop Nutcracker at CIBC Theatre (Dec 10-15) – on sale now!
22. Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays Elf in Concert (Dec 13-15) – Tickets are available now.
23. Rudolph Runs Wild at Second City (Dec 14, 21, 28) – Tickets are available now.

Tickets on Sale soon

Below are some of my favorite places that have great holiday lights, but don’t take reservations. I recommend going early and during the week, if possible.

• Butch McGuires – a bar in Gold Coast, usually decorated by the week of Thanksgiving
• Happy’s – inside of the Chicago Athletic Association hotel. There is no information posted now (the link post is from last year), but they will most likely be doing it again.
• Wrigleyville has lots of decorated places – Hotel Zachary, Santa Baby (during the day is very family friendly) and Elf’d up is cute, but small.