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Kid-Friendly Events in Chicago in December
As Chicago gears up for the holidays, December brings plenty of things to do, from Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker and the Goodman Theater's A Christmas Carol. Read on for our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Chicago this month.
Things to Do in Chicago with Kids this December 2024
Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Downtown
Daily through December 29
The 25th annual Christkindlmarket features holiday themed drinks, snacks, shopping, and games outside the Daley Center. Visit the website here.
A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theater
Downtown
Wednesdays through Sundays through December 29
Charles Dickens's holiday classic is brought to life at this annual play at the Goodman Theater. Nearly two million people have seen the show, which is now in its fifth decade. Visit the website here.
Light Up the Lake
Downtown
November 29 through January 5
Enjoy an indoor winter wonderland at Navy Pier, complete with indoor light sculpture displays, ice skating, and visits with Santa. Guests can also enjoy Santa's Merry Main Street gift market and ride the iconic Navy Pier Ferris wheel. Roast marshmallows for s'mores around a fire pit or make someone a gift at a holiday workshop. New in 2024 are drone shows lighting up the sky over Lake Michigan and a two-story ice slide. Visit the website here.
Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light
Museum of Science and Industry
Hyde Park
Daily through January 5
The Museum of Science and Industry hosts its dazzling annual Christmas tree exhibit, where guests can enjoy decorated trees inspired by customs and cultures from countries all around the world. Visit the website here.
The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
West Loop
Saturdays and Sundays through December 29
Four adorable Beatrix Potter favorites come to life in this mesmerizing, interactive trunk and puppet show, complete with original music. Storytellers weave Potter’s classic narration with gentle interactive moments, recruiting young watchers to join the adventure. After the show, head to the lobby to play with the puppets, take pictures with the cast, and join fellow Chicago families for a communal tea party featuring a festive spread of holiday treats! Visit the website here.
The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker
Downtown
Thursdays through Sundays, December 6- December 28
The Joffrey Ballet presents its annual production of The Nutcracker. This classic ballet has been reimagined for a modern audience and set in Chicago at the 1893 World's Fair, where Marie and her mother, a sculptress creating the fair’s iconic Statue of the Republic, partake in a festive celebration with a surprise visit from the mysterious Great Impresario. Visit the website here.
Filament Theatre's FORTS: Build Your Own Adventure
Old Irving Park
Saturdays and Sundays throughout December
Chicago’s Filament Theatre returns with its hit immersive play experience for families FORTS: Build Your Own Adventure, in which Filament transforms into a play space for children and parents to build new worlds using cardboard boxes, sheets, clotheslines and more, November 30, 204 – January 5, 2025. This production kick off Filament’s 17th Anniversary of creating work for, by, and with young audiences. Visit the website here.
Christmas Bazaar and Santa Breakfast at the Irish American Heritage Center
Mayfair
Sunday, December 1
Kick off the holiday season at the Irish American Heritage Center with Irish breakfast and visits from Santa, a craft and bake sale, music, dancing, and children's activities. Breakfast begins at 10 a.m. with reservations required. Visit the website here.
MRS CLAUS! at the Apollo Theater
Lakeview
December 5-21
Chicago Kids Company’s Holiday Classic returns for the 25th Year! Our biggest and most colorful show will put you in the Holiday Spirit in no time. Join the new Elf Class of 2024 as they try to find the missing “list” in time for Christmas. Visit the website here.
Drury Lane Brunch with Santa
Oak Brook
December 1, 8, 15 and 22
Kids can enjoy homemade donuts while adults can partake in bottomless mimosas while having a brunch with Santa at Drury Lane Theater. The event includes pictures with Santa in front of the theater’s 20-foot tree. Elves will visit each table to collect letters to Santa. Visit the website here.
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along
Downtown
December 6, 14, and 20
Sing together with other Chicagoans in this multi-cultural holiday event. A different performer will lead the sing-along each week at the Cloudgate sculpture. Songbooks will be distributed so participants can sing along. Visit the website here.
Roscoe Village Winterfest
Roscoe Village
Friday, December 6- Sunday, December 8
Enjoy a weekend of tree lighting, shopping, hot cocoa and cider sipping, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and caroling in the Roscoe Village neighborhood. Santa will visit on Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the website here.
Santa's Winterland Workshop at Gallagher Way
Wrigleyville
Fridays through Sundays, December 6- December 22
Santa visits the friendly confines each weekend in December. Kids can meet Santa for a photo near the CD Peacock entrance lobby or bring their pets to meet Santa. Visit the website here.
Ravenswood Light-Up Night
Ravenswood
Saturday, December 7
Residents in the Ravenswood area light up their yards for the weekend before Christmas. With lights, disco balls, light-up figurines, and a selfie-station set up in the greenway, residents create a winter wonderland for visitors. Restaurants will feature specials for visitors. The event includes a scavenger hunt for kids, tree decorating contest, multimedia window, photo stations, and caroling. Visit the website here.
Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting Celebration at Mary Bartelme Park
West Loop
Saturday, December 7
Mary Bartelme Park hosts a Menorah Lighting Celebration, including live music, face painting, delicious snacks, and a children's story time! This year's event includes music from Merit School of Music, Skinner West Choir, and DJ Eric Tenfelde. Santa will be on hand for pictures! Visit the website here.
Hyde Park Art Center Hosts Artistic Center Day
Hyde Park
Saturday, December 7
Hyde Park Art Center, the renowned non-profit hub for contemporary art located on Chicago’s vibrant South Side, is hosting a day of free immersive art exhibitions and activities as part of their series Center Days, an all-ages program filled with artmaking activities, workshops, and artist talks. Visit the website here.
Christmas Sing-along and Double Feature at the Music Box Theater
Lakeview
December 7-9, 13-15, and 20-24
Bring your family to see two holiday classics and sing holiday carols with Santa during intermission. Enjoy the double feature of It's a Wonderful Life and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. Santa will be accompanied by the Music Box organist while the lyrics are projected on the screen for everyone to join in the fun. Visit the website here.
Winterfest at Poplar Creek Country Club
Hoffman Estates
December 7
Celebrate the holiday season with s'more making, ice-less skating, a gingerbread house making contest, sled dogs, stage shows, and more. Bundle up to stay warm in the cold. Visit the website here.
Frozen Holiday Festival
Six Corners
Saturday, December 7
Enjoy free rides on the Holiday Trolley around the Six Corners Business District, or take the trolley to the Patio Theater for a showing of Frozen and related short films. Enjoy holiday meet and greets, live performances, and Arendelle photo opps. Visit the website here.
Movie with Santa at Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood Boulevard Cinema, Woodridge
Saturday, December 7
Families can enjoy a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! with Santa Claus. This year, Santa will be joined by Rudolph, Buddy the Elf, and the Grinch. Kids can write a letter to Santa and receive a response, enjoy holiday decorations, and have a professional photo taken with Santa. Visit the website here.
Free Holiday Movies at the Glen Art Theatre
Glen Ellyn
December 7, 14 and 21
Families can enjoy classic holiday movies courtesy of the Glen Art Theatre and the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas. Seats are limited, so families should arrive early. Visit the website here.
Santa's Jolly Jamboree
Lombard
Saturday, December 7
Santa's Pajama Jam is back! Make magical memories with the family as you visit Santa and gear up for the holiday season with a day of free, fun activities at Yorktown Center, located on the Lower Level near Marshalls/HomeGoods. Visit the website here.
Pinstripes Brunch with Santa
River North, South Barrington, Northbrook, and Oak Brook
December 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22
Santa tries to bowl a turkey while families enjoy brunch at Pinstripes in Chicago, Northbrook, and South Barrington on weekends leading up to Christmas. The man in red will be available for photos and to accept holiday wish lists during brunch. Visit the website here.
Villa Park Joyful Traditions
Villa Park
Saturday, December 7
Families can visit food vendors, meet characters like an elf, Mickey Mouse, or The Cat in the Hat, and ride a trolley. Santa will arrive via fire truck, and kids can visit a petting zoo, take a pony ride, or enjoy food from food trucks. Visit the website here.
Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration
Hyde Park
Saturday, December 7
The Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration is back for 2024! The event is presented by the University of Chicago in partnership with Downtown Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, and the South East Chicago Commission. Lots of free events are planned, including an ice carving demonstration, self-guided ice sculpture stroll, free photos with Soul Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday crafts, costumed characters, and dance performances. Visit the website here.
Tinley Park Parade of Lights
Tinley Park
Sunday, December 8
Festive floats, local businesses, community groups and school bands will march down Oak Park Avenue from 175th Street to the Subway parking lot. Special guests from the North Pole will make an appearance. Visit the website here.
Holiday Movies at Gallagher Way
Wrigleyville
December 12 and 19
Enjoy a holiday classic film outside at Wrigleyville's Gallagher Way. Families can watch while ice skating, with a hot chocolate from the market, or from one of the restaurants nearby. Visit the website here.
St. Lucia Celebration
Swedish American Museum, Andersonville
Friday, December 13
Follow the Swedish tradition of St. Lucia with Lucias from Swedish organizations throughout Chicagoland as they perform a candlelit procession from the temporary location of the Nordic House at the Wrigley Building to the Swedish American Museum to Andersonville Winter Market. The Lucia candidates will also perform at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. Visit the website here.
Evanston Children's Choir Holiday Concert
Alice Millar Chapel, Evanston
Saturday, December 14
The Evanston Children's Choir will celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the resilience of the human spirit. Join the ECC Concert Choir, Youth Chorale Pops and our Pope John XXIII School Choir for this free event. Visit the website here.
Winter Solstice Festival at North Park Village
North Park
Saturday, December 14
Welcome winter at North Park Village Nature Center. Enjoy star gazing, a bonfire, nature walks, tasting chestnuts and more. Visit the website here.
Weihnachsmarkt at DANK Haus
Lincoln Square
Saturday, December 14
Support German educational and cultural programming by visiting DANK Haus for visits with Santa and shopping for unique goods at festive stands. German food and drink will be available for purchase. Visit the website here.
Frosty Fest
Wheaton
Saturday, December 14
Unwrap holiday magic with Elsa, Olaf, the Grinch and more! Strolling carolers, complimentary hot cocoa, and giveaways round out the fun. Visit the website here.
I|O Godfrey Roofscape Christmas Eve Brunch with Santa
River North
Tuesday, December 24
Help Santa gear up for his big ride in style in an igloo on the rooftop of the I|O Godfrey Hotel. The menu includes a carving station, omelet station, acai bowl station, avocado toast bar, pancakes, French toast, a a salad bar, and a dessert table. Visit the website here.
Harlem Globetrotters in Rosemont
Rosemont
Friday, December 27
The Harlem Globetrotters 2024 World Tour presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs is coming with game like never before. Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skills, outrageous athleticism, and a nonstop LOL good time. Join the Globetrotters as they go head-to-head against the Washington Generals, who will stop at nothing to try and defeat the world’s winningest team. Visit the website here.
Noon Year's Eve at Wonder Works Children's Museum
Oak Park
Tuesday, December 31
Dress up in something sparkly and celebrate New Year's Eve at Wonder Works children's museum. The event features New Year's crafts, a balloon drop, encounters with costumed characters, and a fun photo booth. Wonder Works offers two countdown times at 11am, and 1pm to accommodate all of the nap times. Visit the website here.
DuPage Children's Museum Bubble Bash
Naperville
Tuesday, December 31
Kids can ring in the new year with their choice of bubbles, confetti, a music launch, or a quiet countdown at the DuPage Children's Museum's annual year-end celebration. Kids can enjoy creating wearable art, DIY confetti poppers, or 2D or 3D bubble wands. They can also visit Sensoryland, take part in a fluorescent adventure, or visit the photo booth. Visit the website here.
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