December turns Chicago into a lively winter destination filled with holiday markets, illuminated parks, ice-skating rinks, seasonal performances, sporting events, and indoor attractions. Downtown streets glow with decorations, while museums and conservatories offer warm places to escape the cold.
Visitors should expect changing winter conditions, especially near Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. Pack a warm coat, gloves, waterproof shoes, and several layers. Holiday weekends can also bring crowded attractions and higher hotel prices, so reservations are helpful.
Some December 2026 schedules are still being finalized as of July 2026. Always confirm operating dates, ticket prices, and holiday closures before visiting. Here are 13 of the best things to do in Chicago in December.
Browse the Christkindlmarket
Christkindlmarket is one of Chicago’s popular holiday traditions. The German-style outdoor market fills Daley Plaza with wooden stalls selling ornaments, handcrafted gifts, roasted nuts, pretzels, sausages, sweets, and warm seasonal drinks.
Entry is normally free, making it an affordable stop during a downtown sightseeing day. The official website confirms that Christkindlmarket will return in winter 2026, although complete dates, locations, and vendor details have not yet been released. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are usually easier to manage than busy weekend evenings.
Walk through ZooLights
Lincoln Park Zoo becomes a glowing winter attraction during ZooLights. The seasonal event features more than 3 million lights, illuminated tunnels, nostalgic displays, a Ferris wheel, ice-carving demonstrations, snacks, and special entertainment on selected nights.
The zoo has confirmed that ZooLights will return from November 2026 to January 2027, generally operating from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Exact dates and ticket details are expected closer to the season. Regular zoo admission remains free during daytime hours, but evening ZooLights admission usually requires a separate ticket.
Skate beneath the Chicago skyline
The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park offers one of Chicago’s recognizable winter experiences. Skaters glide beneath downtown buildings near Cloud Gate and the city’s ocity’sl Christmas tree.
The rink generally operates from mid-November through March, depending on weather and ice conditions. Skating admission has traditionally been free, although reservations may be required and skate rentals cost extra. Visit during daylight for clearer skyline views or reserve an evening session when the park’s sparkling lights create a festive atmosphere.
Try the Maggie Daley skating ribbon
The Maggie Daley Park skating ribbon offers a different experience from a traditional flat rink. Its quarter-mile path curves around a landscaped area, featuring gentle rises and slopes.
The ribbon is within walking distance of Millennium Park via the BP Pedestrian Bridge, allowing you to see both skating areas in one trip. Sessions, rentals, and reservation policies can vary by season. Book early for weekends and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day; year-round demand is often highest.
Ride the CTA Holiday Train or bus
The CTA Holiday Train is both public transportation and a moving Chicago holiday tradition. Train cars are wrapped in seasonal designs and outlined with lights, while Santa rides on an open-air flatcar decorated with reindeer and trees.
The Holiday Train travels across the city’s rail lines in late November through late December as part of regular service. A decorated Holiday Bus also operates on selected routes. Normal CTA fares apply, but the exact 2026 schedule has not yet been published. Because vehicles can fill up, CTA recommends boarding near the start of a scheduled route.
See the Chicago Christmas tree
Chicago’s official tree stands in Millennium Park near Michigan Avenue. The city has displayed a public tree since 1913, and the tradition moved from Daley Plaza to Millennium Park in 2015.
The tree provides an easy photo stop that can be combined with Cloud Gate, ice skating, the Chicago Cultural Center, and nearby State Street shopping. Michigan Avenue is also decorated for the holiday season after the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, which traditionally illuminates hundreds of trees before Thanksgiving.
Explore Christmas Around the World
The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry traditionally presents Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light from late November into early January. The exhibition features trees decorated by community groups to represent holiday traditions from different countries and cultures.
The seasonal display can be combined with the museum’s permanent transportation technology and engineering exhibits. It is especially useful for families seeking an indoor activity on a snowy or unusually cold day. Check the museum’s official website for 2026 dates, admission details, and any holiday closures.
Watch The Nutcracker
The Joffrey Ballet’s annual production of The Nutcracker is one of Chicago’s signature December performances. Christopher Wheeldon’s version moves to Chicago during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition rather than using the ballet’s traditional European setting.
The production is performed at the Lyric Opera House with music played by the Chicago Philharmonic. December performances are popular with families and holiday visitors, so desirable dates and seats can sell quickly. Review the official Joffrey calendar once the complete 2026 schedule becomes available.
Attend a holiday theater show
Chicago’s theaters present plays, comedy, and family productions throughout December. Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol is a long-running local tradition, while other downtown and neighborhood venues offer seasonal concerts and holiday-themed performances.
Visitors seeking something less traditional can check improv and sketch comedy at The Second City or review touring productions at major Loop theaters. Performance schedules differ each year, and many venues hold afternoon shows during the holiday period. Reserve tickets in advance rather than waiting until you arrive.
Warm up at Garfield Park Conservatory
Garfield Park Conservatory offers a tropical escape from Chicago’s winter weather. Its Chicago ‘soms contain palms, ferns, desert plants, flowers, water features, and paths surrounded by greenery.
Advance reservations are strongly recommended, although walk-ins may be admitted when capacity allows. Chicago residents receive free admission with address verification, while nonresidents pay a modest entrance fee. The conservatory is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and holiday operating hours may change in December. The CTA Green Line stops beside the building.
Spend a winter day inside a museum
A museum day provides a reliable option when snow, rain, or strong winds make outdoor sightseeing uncomfortable. The Field Museum offers dinosaurs, natural history, gems, and cultural exhibitions, while the Shedd Aquarium features belugas, penguins, sharks, turtles, coral, and aquatic habitats.
The Art Institute of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium, and the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry offer additional options. Do not try to rush through several major museums in one day. Choose one institution and allow at least three or four hours. Many museums close on Christmas Day or follow reduced holiday schedules.
See the Bulls or Blackhawks play
December falls within both the NBA and NHL regular seasons. Depending on the schedule, visitors can watch the Chicago Bulls play basketball or the Chicago Blackhawks play hockey at the United Center.
A game offers an energetic indoor evening and a break from holiday sightseeing. Weekend contests and games against major rivals may cost more than weekday matchups. Arrive early for security screening and to see the Michael Jordan statue near the arena. The Bulls and Blackhawks share the United Center, with the basketball court installed above the hockey ice when required.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Navy Pier
Travelers visiting at the end of December can welcome the new year near Lake Michigan. Navy Pier traditionally hosts midnight fireworks, while restaurants, cruise lines, hotels, comedy clubs, and rooftop venues across Chicago offer separate celebrations.
The pier also contains indoor restaurants, shops, the Chicago Children’s Museum, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the Centennial Wheel. Exact New Year’s Eve 2026 programming has not yet been announced, so confirm details before making travel plans. Reserve dinner, event, or cruise tickets early and use public transportation when possible.
Planning a December trip to Chicago
Group nearby attractions to reduce time outdoors. Christkindlmarket, Millennium Park, State Street, the Chicago Cultural Center, and downtown theaters can be combined in one day. Lincoln Park Zoo and ZooLights fit naturally into another itinerary, while Museum Campus deserves several hours of its own.
Remember that daylight is limited, temperatures can fall quickly after sunset, and lakefront areas often feel especially cold. Keep one flexible indoor activity available in case the weather changes. Holiday hours may also affect museums, stores, restaurants, and public attractions on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Wrapping up
Chicago in December combines big-city attractions with markets, glowing light displays, skating, theater, sports, museums, and holiday traditions. You can spend the afternoon exploring a warm conservatory or museum, then head outside for an illuminated evening beneath the skyline.
Reserve popular experiences early, check all 2026 schedules before traveling, and dress for winter conditions. With thoughtful planning, December can be one of the most festive and memorable times to experience Chicago.
