Chicago edition

Family and Kids

Events for kids and families.

Family and Kids, Arts and Music

Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light

Nov. 7, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027

The exhibit is included with general admission during regular museum hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr.Cook County

Griffin MSI opens its 84th Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light display on Nov. 7. More than 50 community-decorated trees and holiday-of-light displays fill the museum through Jan. 3.

Organizer page, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

Arts and Music, Family and Kids

A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre

Nov. 13 to Dec. 31, 2026

The production runs Nov. 13 through Dec. 31, 2026, in the Albert Theatre with the box office open daily from noon to 5 p.m.

Goodman Theatre, Albert Theatre, Chicago170 N. Dearborn St.Cook County

Goodman Theatre stages Tom Creamer's adaptation of A Christmas Carol, directed by Malkia Stampley, with Tim Hopper as Scrooge. Children under 5 are not admitted.

Organizer page, Goodman Theatre

Outdoors and Beaches, Family and Kids

Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon

Nov. 13, 2026, to March 7, 2027

Weekday sessions start at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. while weekend sessions also include 8 a.m., with each session lasting two hours.

Maggie Daley Park Ice Skating Ribbon, Chicago337 E. Randolph St.Cook County

Maggie Daley Park opens its outdoor skating ribbon on Nov. 13 and lists March 7 as closing day. Every skater needs a reservation for a specific session.

Organizer page, Maggie Daley Park

Outdoors and Beaches, Family and Kids

Illumination at The Morton Arboretum

Nov. 14, 2026, to Jan. 2, 2027

The walking trail opens at 4:30 p.m. each evening from Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 2, 2027.

The Morton Arboretum, Lisle4100 Illinois Route 53DuPage County

Illumination is a ticketed one-mile walking display of holiday lights at The Morton Arboretum. This season adds four large installations and a separate model-train ticket for the Pine Whistle Railroad.

Organizer page, The Morton Arboretum

Outdoors and Beaches, Family and Kids

Christmas at Cantigny

Nov. 20 to 22, Nov. 25, Nov. 27 to 29, Dec. 2 to 6, Dec. 9 to 13, Dec. 16 to 23 and Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027

The opening light show on Nov. 20 runs from 4:30 to 9 p.m. while later dates follow the posted calendar.

Cantigny, Wheaton1S151 Winfield Rd.DuPage County

Cantigny opens a half-mile garden light show on Nov. 20 and lists Christmas at Cantigny dates through Jan. 3. The grounds are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, while New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are limited to ice skating and cocoa cabanas.

Organizer page, Cantigny

Family and Kids, Arts and Music

City of Chicago Christmas Tree

Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027

The lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, with the tree remaining on view through Jan. 10, 2027.

Millennium Park, Chicago201 E. Randolph St.Cook County

The 113th City of Chicago Christmas Tree stands in Millennium Park near Michigan Avenue and Washington Street. The city lights it at 6 p.m. on Nov. 20.

Organizer page, City of Chicago

Outdoors and Beaches, Family and Kids

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

Nov. 20, 2026, to Jan. 31, 2027

Ice skating returns on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, and continues through Jan. 31, 2027, weather permitting.

McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millennium Park, Chicago201 E. Randolph St.Cook County

The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park reopens for the winter on Nov. 20. The city lists the season through Jan. 31, weather permitting.

Organizer page, City of Chicago

Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo

Nov. 20 to 25, Nov. 27 to 30, Dec. 2 to 7, Dec. 9 to 14, Dec. 16 to 23 and Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027

Public hours are 4:30 to 9 p.m. with last entry at 8 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago2400 N. Cannon Dr.Cook County

Lincoln Park Zoo lights the grounds for ZooLights from Nov. 20 through Jan. 3. Tickets are required for every visitor, including infants, at advance prices of $7 to $12.

Organizer page, Lincoln Park Zoo

Family and Kids, Outdoors and Beaches

Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Nov. 21 to 25, Nov. 27 to 29, Dec. 3 to 6, Dec. 10 to 13, Dec. 17 to 23 and Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027

Holiday Magic runs from 3 to 9 p.m. on the listed dates with tickets starting at $29.95.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago31st St. and Golfview Ave.Cook County

Brookfield Zoo Chicago turns the grounds into a nighttime light display on selected dates from Nov. 21 through Jan. 3. Members enter free while general tickets start at $29.95.

Organizer page, Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Arts and Music, Family and Kids

Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026

Lights Festival Lane runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. before a 5:30 p.m. parade and 7:30 p.m. fireworks.

Magnificent Mile, ChicagoN. Michigan Ave. from Oak St. to Wacker Dr.Cook County

The 35th Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is a free parade down North Michigan Avenue on Nov. 21. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are the grand marshals before fireworks at the end of the route.

Organizer page, The Magnificent Mile

Family and Kids, Arts and Music

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026

The parade starts at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026.

State Street, ChicagoState St. from Ida B. Wells Dr. to Randolph St.Cook County

The City of Chicago lists a Thanksgiving morning parade on State Street. The posted start time is 8 a.m.

Organizer page, City of Chicago

Family and Kids

Wintrust Winter WonderFest

Nov. 27 to 29, Dec. 3 to 24 and Dec. 26, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027

The festival opens at 10 a.m. on the listed days with varying closing times and is closed Christmas Day.

Festival Hall, Navy Pier, Chicago600 E. Grand Ave.Cook County

Navy Pier turns Festival Hall into Wintrust Winter WonderFest from Nov. 27 through Jan. 3. Admission includes ice skating, with online tickets at $27 when bought at least 24 hours ahead.

Organizer page, Navy Pier

Family and Kids

Santa's Naperville Workshop

Nov. 30 to Dec. 22, 2026

Weeknight visits run from 5 to 8 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday visits run from noon to 8 p.m.

Paddleboat Quarry Rentals Building, Naperville441 Aurora Ave.DuPage County

The Naperville Park District hosts reserved family visits with Santa at the Paddleboat Quarry Rentals Building from Nov. 30 through Dec. 22. Walk-ups are not accepted and the resident fee is $12 per family.

Organizer page, Naperville Park District

Arts and Music, Family and Kids

The Joffrey Ballet: The Nutcracker

Dec. 4 to 6, Dec. 10 to 13, Dec. 16 to 20, Dec. 22 to 24 and Dec. 26 to 27, 2026

Curtain times are 7 p.m. on most evenings, 6 p.m. on some Sundays and 1 or 2 p.m. for matinees.

Lyric Opera House, Chicago20 N. Wacker Dr.Cook County

The Joffrey Ballet performs Christopher Wheeldon's Nutcracker at the Lyric Opera House from Dec. 4 through Dec. 27. The production is set at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and runs about two hours.

Organizer page, The Joffrey Ballet

Family and Kids

Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026

The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026.

Western Avenue, Chicago8300 S. Western Ave.Cook County

The City of Chicago lists the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Parade for the morning of Dec. 6. The route starts at 8300 South Western Avenue.

Organizer page, City of Chicago

Arts and Music, Family and Kids

Merry, Merry Chicago!

Dec. 18 to 23, 2026

The seven performances are Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 at 1 p.m., Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 23 at 1 p.m.

Symphony Center, Chicago220 S. Michigan Ave.Cook County

Members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Thomas Wilkins present Merry, Merry Chicago! with vocalist Mandy Gonzalez. The CSO season calendar lists seven performances from Dec. 18 through Dec. 23.

Organizer page, Chicago Symphony Orchestra