101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Chicago - 2023 | Kids Out and About Chicago <

101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Chicago - 2023

KidsOutAndAbout is Chicago's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families! The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, so click through to make arrangements. Enjoy the holidays!

If we're missing an activity that should be on our list, please email Mindy Mangan at mindy@kidsoutandabout.com. Please make sure to include a link to the event when you email. Thank you!

Below are items that have been posted to our calendar. If you are affiliated with a business hosting a holiday event that should be on our calendar, we'd love to see it there... it's free to postClick here for instructions about how to add your organization to our list and easily post your events to our calendar!

If you don't already receive our free weekly e-newsletter for Chicago, sign up today to make sure you're in the know about free stuff, festivals, classes, camps, vacation ideas, and all the best events near you! In the meantime, enjoy the ideas below for holiday family fun in 2023!


 

 

Santa Sightings

Nov 4 - Dec 24, 2023 (multiple dates) Macy's Holiday Celebrations - Macy's State Street
Opening Nov 9, 2023 Santa Photo Experience - Woodfield Mall
Nov 10 - Dec 24, 2023 Photos with Santa - Fox Valley Mall
Nov 18 - Dec 24, 2023 Santa Visits - 900 North Michigan Shops
Nov 11 - Dec 23, 2023 (select dates) Christmas Town at Summerfield Farm and Zoo
Nov 11 - Dec 24, 2023 (multiple dates) Photos with Santa - Yorktown Center
Nov 16 - Dec 24, 2023 Pictures with Santa at the Lawn - Oakbrook Center
Nov 17, 2023 Santas Arrival - Hawthorn
Nov 17 - Dec 24, 2023 (multiple dates) Photos with Santa - Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Nov 17 - Dec 24, 2023 Pictures with Santa - Northbrook Court
Nov 18 - Dec 24, 2023 Photos with Santa - Hawthorn
Nov 24 - Dec 23, 2023 Santa's Village - East Dundee
Nov 24 - Dec 23, 2023 Santa in the Village & Free Pictures with Santa - Historic Downtown Long Grove 
Nov 27 - Dec 21, 2023 Santa's Workshop 2023 - Naperville Park District
Nov 30, 2023 Snacks with Santa - West Ridge Center
Dec 2 & 9, 2023 Santa at the Museum - Aurora Regional Fire Museum
Dec 9, 10, 16 & 17, 2023 Breakfast with Santa - Lambs Farm
   
   
   
   

 

Old-Time Christmas

 Nov 17 - Dec 23, 2023 (select dates)  Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides - Historic Downtown Long Grove
 Dec 2 - 17, 2023 (select dates) Caroling Around Downtown
   
 
   
   

 

Light Displays

Nov 10, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024 Lightscape - Chicago Botanic Garden
Nov 12, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024 Holiday Magic in Motion - The Promenade Bolingbrook
Nov 16, 2023 Illuminate 900: Holiday Tree Lighting - 900 North Michigan Shops
Nov 17 - Dec 31, 2023 Sparkle Light Festival
Nov 17, 2023 - Jan 6, 2024 Willow Hill Lights - Northbrook
Nov 17, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024 Lincoln Park ZooLights
Nov 18, 2023 Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Nov 18, 2023  Tree Lighting Festival - Museum of Science + Industry Chicago
Nov 18, 2023 The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Nov 18, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024 Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light - Museum of Science + Industry Chicago
Nov 23 - Dec 31, 2023 Naper Lights - Naperville
Nov 23, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024 Winter Lights at Central Park - Oak Brook Park District
Nov 24, 2023 Lights in the Heights - Memorial Park
Nov 24 - Dec 31, 2023 Light Up the Lake - Navy Pier
Nov 24 - Dec 31, 2023 Holiday Magic - Brookfield Zoo
Dec 2 - 23, 2023 (select dates) Christmas in the Commons - New Lenox
Dec 7, 2023 Tree Lighting in Wilder Park - Elmhurt Park District

 

Living Nativities

Nov 24 - 26, 2023 Journey to Bethlehem - Faith United Church of Tinley Park
 Dec 2, 2023 Christmas Wonder: A Journey to Bethlehem - New Life Church
 Dec 10, 2023 Live Nativity - Naperville Campus
   

 

Holiday Theatre

Nov 11 - Dec 24, 2023  The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party - Chicago Children's Theatre
Nov 17 - Dec 1, 2023 (multiple dates) The Snow Queen - Mariott Theatre
Nov 19, 2023 A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage - Genesee Theatre
Nov 24, 2023 The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays - Cadillac Palace Theatre 
Nov 25, 2023 For King + Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas - NOW Arena
Nov 25 & 26, 2023 Beyond the Nutcracker - Athenaeum Center
Nov 25 - Dec 24, 2023 (multiple dates) A Christmas Carol - Metropolis Peforming Arts Center
Dec 1 - 3, 2023 Winter Circus Spectacular - NOW Arena
Dec 2, 2023 Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland - Genesee Theatre
Dec 3, 2023 Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet - Rosemont Theatre
Dec 2 - 27, 2023 The Nutcracker - Joffrey Ballet | Lyric Opera House
Dec 7 - 28, 2023 (select dates)  Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil - The Chicago Theatre
Dec 8 - 10, 2023 The Nutcracker - Athenaeum Center
Dec 12 - 17, 2023 The Hip Hop Nutcracker - Cadillac Palace Theater
Dec 11, 2023 Celtic Angels Christmas - Metropolis Performing Arts Center
Dec 16, 2023 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas - Rosemont Theatre
 Dec 16 & 17, 2023  The Nutcracker - The MAC
 Dec 19 - 31, 2023 How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical - Cadillac Palace Theater

 

Holiday Concerts

Nov 26, 2023 Elf in Concert - Rosemont Theatre
Nov 27, 2023 Pentatonix: The Most Wonderful Tour of the Year - Vibrant Arena
Dec 4 & 5, 2023 A Bing Crosby Christmas with Broadway’s Jared Bradshaw feat. the Music of the Andrews Sisters - Metropolis Performing Arts Center
Dec 10, 2023 The Chris White Jazz Trio Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas - Lincoln Park Zoo
Dec 11, 2023 Darren Criss "A Very Merry Crissmas" - Athenaeum Center
Dec 16 & 17, 2023 Nutcracker - Engage Dance Theatre & Raue Center for the Arts
Dec 23, 2023 For kids from 1 to 92 - Raue Center for the Arts
Dec 28, 2023 Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve - Allstate Arena
   

 

Christmas Tree Experience

Opening Nov 13, 2023 Ivy's Christmas Trees
Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2023 Festival of Lights & Tree Sale - Cosley Zoo
Open Nov - Dec, 2023 Anderson Tree Farm
Open Nov 24 - 26 & Dec 2 & 3, 2023 Pioneer Tree Farm
Nov 18 - Dec 10, 2023  Abbey Farms
Opening Nov 24, 2023 Tammen Treeberry Farm
Opening Nov 24, 2023 Camelot Trees
Opening Nov 24, 2023 Larson's Family Farm
Opening Nov 24, 2023 Conifera Tree Farm
Nov 24 - Dec 3, 2023 Richardson Farm U-Cut Christmas Trees
Nov 24 - Dec 3, 2023 Moehling Christmas Tree Farm
Nov 24 - Dec 3, 2023 Ben's Christmas Tree Farm
Nov 24 - Dec 10, 2023 (select dates) Grandpa's Tree Farm
Nov 24 - 26, 2023 Oney's Tree Farm

 

Ice Skating

Open Year Round Fifth Third Arena - Chicago Blackhawks Community Ice Rink
Open Year Round Morgan Park Sports Center Ice Rink
Open Year Round McFetridge Sports Center Ice Rink
Open Year Round Heartland Ice Arena
Open Year Round Park District of Franklin Park Ice Arena
Open Now through Jan 28, 2024 Skating at the Park - Parkway Bank Park
Opening Nov 17, 2023 Ice Skating Ribbon - Maggie Daley Park
Nov 21, 2023 - Jan 7, 2024 Winterland at Gallagher Way
Nov 24, 2023 - Feb 19, 2024 Wentworth Ice Rink
Nov 2023 - March 2024 Ice Skating in Millenium Park - McCormick Tribune Ice Rink

 

Hanukkah

 Dec 3 - 23, 2023 (select dates) Hershel & The Hanukkah Goblins - Strawdog Theatre Company
Dec 3, 2023 See, Sing, Celebrate! | Hanukkah - Kol Hadash Sunday Schoool at Deerfield High School
Dec 4, 2023 Shine Bright: A Hanukkah Workshop - West Ridge Center
Dec 7, 2023 Latke Fun Chanukah Party - PJ Library
Dec 10, 2023 Hanukkah Family Celebration & Lunch - Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation Sunday School
Dec 10, 2023 Chanukah at Candycopia - Oak Park

 

Shopping & Craft Fairs

Nov 10 - 12, 2023 Winterfest Art Market - The Dock at 150 First Street
Nov 11, 2023 Making Spirits Briht Pop-Up Winter Shopping Market - Hinsdale Covenant Church
Nov 11, 2023 2023 Winter Market - Palos Heights
Nov 11, 2023

Holiday Craft Fair - Triphahn Center & Ice Arena

Nov 11, Dec 2 & 16, 2023 Art and Market - Society 57
Nov 17 - Dec 20, 2023 21st Annual Winter Arts & Craft Expo - Evanston Art Center
Nov 17 - Dec 31, 2023 Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville - Gallagher Way
Nov 25, 2023 Holiday Pop-Up Craft Show - Arts in Bartlet Center for the Arts
Nov 25 & 26, 2023 Marmion Christmas Craft Show - Marmiom Academy
Nov 26, 2023 Holiday Craft Fair - Spring Valley Nature Club Nature Center
Dec 1, 2023 Kris Kringle Market - Palos Heights
Dec 2, 2023 Santa's Workshop at Wilder Mansion
Dec 2, 2023 Cookie Walk & Craft Fair - Journey of Hope UMC
 Dec 9, 2023 Holly Jolly Market - North Center Town Square
   

 

New Year's Eve

Dec 29, 2023 Noon Year's Eve - Palos Heights Recreation Center
Dec 29, 2023 Teenie Weenie New Year's Eve Ball - Simkus Recreaion Center
Dec 31, 2023 New Year's Eve Fireworks - Navy Pier
Dec 31, 2023 Bubble Bash: A Family-Friendly New Year's Eve - DuPage Children's Museum
Dec 31, 2023 Countdown to Fun - Discovery Center Museum

 

Miscellaneous

Nov 17, 2023 Holiday Walk - Historic Downtown Long Grove
Nov 24 - 23, 2023 Happy Holiday Railway - Illinois Railway Museum
Nov 30 - Dec 17, 2023 (select dates) Holiday Express - Blackberry Farm
Dec 1, 2023 Cocoa Crawl in Aurora - Downtown Aurora
Dec 2, 2023 Holiday Parade on Harlem - Palos Heights
Dec 2, 2023 Grinchmas! - Highland Park Country Club
Dec 2, 2023 The Great Ornament Hunt - Heller Nature Center
Dec 2, 2023 Hyde Park Holly-Day Celebration
Dec 2 & 3, 2023 Polar Express Storytime Train - Geneva Train Station
Dec 2 & 3, 2023 15th Annual Christmas Express - CASA of River Valley
Dec 3, 2023 North Shore Winter Classic Skating Competition - Centennial Ice Arena
Dec 3, 2023 - Jan 1, 2024 The Polar Express Train Ride - Chicago Union Station
Dec 14, 2023 Gingerbread House Workshop - West Ridge Center
Dec 16, 2023 Home for the Holidays - Downtown Oak Park
Dec 16, 2023 WWE Live Holiday Tour Supershow - Vibrant Arena
Dec 16, 2023 Winter Solstice - Heller Nature Center
Dec 22, 2023 Winter Wonderland - Discovery Center Museum

 

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