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Big outings first: festivals, farms, shows and attractions, mixing free and paid, for a range of ages.
Millennium Park — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
The 113th official City of Chicago Christmas Tree lighting, with performances and fireworks.
Festivities begin 4pm; ceremony 6pm, tree lit around 6:30pm. The tree stays lit through Jan 10, 2027.
Details at City of Chicago DCASE ↗Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile) — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Lights Festival Lane, a parade with Santa, and fireworks along Michigan Avenue.
Festival Lane 11am–4pm; parade 5:30pm; fireworks 7:30pm.
Details at The Magnificent Mile ↗Want your family-friendly business here? Sponsor this guide
Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Immersive Great Green Room exhibit based on the classic book, with interactive projections and the science of sleep.
Opens Nov 5, 2026.
Details at Griffin MSI ↗Griffin Museum of Science and Industry — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
More than 50 trees and displays celebrating holiday traditions from around the world.
Opening day Sat Nov 7 includes the Tree Lighting and Cultural Festival.
Details at Griffin MSI ↗Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Fridays–Sundays
Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗Chicago Botanic Garden — Glencoe · Cook Co. · Suburbs
A 1.3-mile illuminated trail of light displays and music through the Garden after dark.
Opening weekend. Select dates through Jan 3; Family Nights Dec 9 and 16. Non-member parking extra.
Details at Chicago Botanic Garden ↗The Morton Arboretum — Lisle · DuPage Co. · Suburbs
Holiday light show on a one-mile paved path, with four new installations and the new Pine Whistle Railroad model-train add-on.
Opens Sat Nov 14. Pine Whistle Railroad is an add-on ticket.
Details at The Morton Arboretum ↗Daley Plaza — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
German-style outdoor holiday market with food, gifts and mulled drinks.
Fri–Sat 11am–9pm; Sun–Thu 11am–8pm.
Details at Christkindlmarket ↗Lincoln Park Zoo — Chicago · Cook Co. · Chicago
Chicago's classic holiday light show at the zoo.
Details at Lincoln Park Zoo ↗Brookfield Zoo Chicago — Brookfield · Cook Co. · Suburbs
Zoo-wide holiday lights, Santa and festive activities.
Details at Brookfield Zoo Chicago ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
A guided walk on our trail to search for local owls.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Dan Ryan Woods Visitor Center & Pavilion — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Bring your family and friends to enjoy a night under the stars.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Swallow Cliff Woods-North — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn about Americana folk art, then how to carve a linoleum block.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Learn how to grow your own fresh herbs, salad greens and more.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Trailside Museum of Natural History — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us during feeding time to learn about Trailside’s ambassador animals.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗Trailside Museum of Natural History — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Presented with The Insect Asylum, students will be walking through the process of entomology.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗River Trail Nature Center — Cook Co. · Suburbs
Join us at feeding time to learn about our outdoor ambassador animals and their habits.
Details at Forest Preserves of Cook County ↗From Chicago Public Library branches. Some need registration; check the library page.
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89 events for the weekend of Nov 20–22, with 81 free and 74 indoors.
Updated
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