Chicago family weekend planner
Holiday events in Chicago: lights, Santa and Christmas shows
Holiday events in Chicago for 2026: 4 listings across 3 cities — light displays, Santa visits, tree lightings, Nutcracker shows, markets and New Year's Eve, from official calendars.
Chicago's advantage is that the park district and the public library run programs in nearly every neighborhood, which keeps weekday options close to home. The lakefront is the default summer weekend, while the colder months push families into museums, field houses and indoor play spaces — check the neighborhood first, then the calendar.
What's on this weekend in Chicago →
Light displays and lantern walks
- Illumination at The Morton Arboretum — The Morton Arboretum, Lisle · Nov 14
- ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd — Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago · Nov 20
- Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo — Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Brookfield · Nov 21 · Free
Holiday markets, ice rinks and fairs
- Christkindlmarket Chicago — Daley Plaza, Chicago · Nov 20 · Free
Holiday traditions in Chicago
Quick questions
When do the holiday lights start in Chicago?
The earliest listing on this page opens Nov 14: Illumination at The Morton Arboretum.
What holiday events in Chicago are free?
2 of the 4 listings here are free, including Christkindlmarket Chicago, Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo.
Where can we see Santa in Chicago?
Santa visits are usually announced later in November. This page updates every day as organizers publish them.