THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Getting into the Christmas Spirit!
Two holidays down and one left to go! It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit with the following holiday events for this weekend.
If you’ve missed Chicago’s 110th Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony this past Friday, don’t fret. The City of Chicago Christmas Tree will remain on display until early January at Millennium Park (55 N. Michigan Ave.) near Washington Street and Michigan Avenue in the Loop. This year’s tree is a 45-foot Colorado Blue Spruce donated by the De La Cruz family of Darien, IL and is decorated with tons of twinkling lights and crowned with an illuminated star!
The largest outdoor and indoor holiday experience is being held at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood through December 31st. Light Up The Lake features dazzling outdoor lakefront light displays, an outdoor ice skating rink with a breathtaking backdrop of Lake Michigan, toasty firepits to cozy up at while roasting s’mores, fireworks on Saturdays, and more. The indoor winter fun is held at the gigantic 170,000 square foot Festival Hall featuring kiddie train rides, a regulation-size Alpine ice-skating rink, a 600,000-bulb light show made up of themed sculptures, a Winter Wonderfest Forest, and more. Embrace the holiday season with this perfect balance of free and ticketed activities for guests of all ages!
Check out the new and exciting displays, photo ops, and interactive programming for this year’s ZooLights held at Lincoln Park Zoo (2400 N. Cannon Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood now through January 7, 2024. Once again, over 2.5 million LED lights including hundreds of luminous LED displays, and a variety of seasonal experiences will be featured along with carolers, glow toys, hot chocolate, firepits for roasting s’mores, and professional ice carvers!
A one-of-a-kind experience awaits you at Gallagher Way (3635 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood now through January 7, 2024. Wintrust’s Winterland at Gallagher Way offers wintry attractions inside historic Wrigley Field which includes a 12,000 square foot ice rink for ice skating and ice bumper cars, on-field games, a miniature infield train, carnival rides and games, and more!
Explore rich holiday traditions from around the globe at this year’s Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science & Industry (5700 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the Hyde Park neighborhood now through January 7, 2024. Once again, its four-story Grand Tree is surrounded by over 50 trees representing Chicago’s various communities showcasing their holiday celebrations. For more seasonal cheer, visit the Holidays of Light exhibit recognizing the traditions of Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanzaa, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Visakha Puja Day, and St. Lucia Day. Don’t forget to stop by and visit Santa in his festive photo studio for your holiday souvenir photo!
Finally, Chicago’s original Hanukkah bar returns by popular demand for its third year in a row. 8 Crazy Nights takes over The Graystone Tavern (3441 N. Sheffield Ave.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood now through January 7, 2024. In addition to Graystone’s customary 14,000+ blue and white lights and Hanukkah decorations throughout the indoor area, its beer garden has been weather-proofed for those who wish to take their celebrating outdoors. Plus, guests can dine on Hanukkah classics such as matzo ball soup, latkes, and more, as well as play board games like Mitzvah Match, Schmear Build-A-Bagel card game, Jewish Guess Who, and more!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
