THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Wrapping Up the 2024 Holiday Season!
Welcome to the first weekend of 2025 as we wrap up the 2024 Holiday Season here in Chicago for another year!
From the moment you arrive, you’ll be transported into a wonderland of holiday delights at this year’s Winterland at Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood which wraps up this weekend. This thrilling and one-of-a-kind immersive holiday experience takes you on a journey through winter landscapes with photo ops, past snow-covered forests, a giant snow globe, a 16 foot-long Polar Express-themed train, frozen icicle walkways, oversized ornaments, giant Christmas trees and nutcracker soldiers, and so much more. Then warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider. You’ll be wowed by the kaleidoscope of colors and winter scenes at this whimsical world of festive enchantment!
The following holiday events are also wrapping up this weekend:
The Lincoln Park Zoolights takes place at Lincoln Park Zoo (North Cannon Dr. and West Fullerton Pkwy.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Celebrating three decades of priceless holiday memories, this beloved staple of Chicago’s holiday season offers festive attractions and over 3 million lights across the zoo grounds for guests of all ages. Zoolights is one of the largest displays of holiday lights within the city limits and shouldn’t be missed!
The Jack Frost Christmas Pop-Up takes place at Fulton Market (170 N. Green St.) in the West Loop. This outdoor Christmas adventure on two-acres boasts a Christmas market; plenty of photo ops; a variety of activities like bumper cars, axe throwing, ice skating; and more!
The Santa Baby Christmas Bar takes place at Bamboo Bar (3505 N. Clark St.) in the Wrigleyville neighborhood. This immersive, multi-level pop-up bar features wall-to-wall holiday décor, photo ops galore, drinks decked out with decorative garnishes and garlands, and offers a festive feast of food options. Also, families are welcome during the day; however, after 8:00 p.m. it’s 21+!
Finally, Frosty’s Christmas Bar Pop-Up takes place at 809 East Evergreen Avenue near Goose Island in the River North neighborhood. This event offers three levels of festive fun, four bars, two dance floors, life-size toy soldiers, over-the-top decorations, and more!
For those who have had enough of the holiday season, perhaps one of the following suggestions might interest you:
Making a triumphant return to Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) in The Loop is Les Misérables with a 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday and wrapping up with a final show at 1 p.m. on Sunday. This epic musical is set in 19th century France and tells a timeless story of broken dreams, unrequited love, sacrifice, and passion along with a magnificent score of songs!
Making its first-ever North American tour, Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes center stage at the James M. Nederlander Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.) in The Loop and runs through February 1st. You’ll enjoy a mind-blowing race through time with spectacular spells and an epic battle brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
