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Looking for family-friendly activities in Chicago this weekend? Here are some fun events to add to your list!
Best Things To Do This Weekend In and Near Chicago With Kids
Millennium Park Holiday Sing-Along
Downtown
Friday, December 6
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.
Santa's Winterland Workshop at Gallagher Way
Wrigleyville
Opens Friday, December 6
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.
The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker
Downtown
Opens Friday, December 6
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.
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.
Oak Park Winterfest and Cookie Walk
Oak Park
Saturday, December 7
Families can purchase a cookie tin for $26 and visit up to 25 merchants in downtown Oak Park to have it filled with cookies. Each business will provide an individually wrapped cookie. Santa Claus will be on hand for visits, and children can warm up with a hot chocolate at the hospitality tent at Marion and Lake Street. Carolers and choirs will provide entertainment along the way. Enjoy a free holiday movie at the Lake Theater. 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.
Evanston Holiday Light Celebration
Evanston
Saturday, December 7
Celebrate the holidays of light in Evanston by kicking off the holiday season with a tree lighting! Enjoy holiday music by Evanston Children's Choir followed by the tree lighting by Mayor Biss, City Clerk Mendoza, and Santa. After, enjoy holiday performances by Northwestern Community Singers and other groups.Enjoy photos with Santa and hot cocoa while supplies last. Visit the website here.
Christmas Sing-along and Double Feature at the Music Box
Lakeview
Opens Saturday, December 7
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.
Movie with Santa at Hollywood Blvd. 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.
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.
Frozen Holiday Festival
Portage Park
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.
Holidays a cappella- Family Concert
Old Town School of Folk Music
Lincoln Square
Saturday, December 7
This family-friendly version of our Holidays a cappella program brings the nostalgic joys of friendship, family, and the magic of Christmas to musical life, as guest actor Greg Vinkler helps us retell Dylan Thomas’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales. There will be a sing along and kid-friendly activies to enjoy as a family. Format: One-hour program in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. All ages are welcome and recommended for ages 4+, enjoyable for all generations of the family! Visit the website here.
“Andy’s Santa Brunch” at The Metropolitan
Sat Dec 7, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Age: All ages
Price: $60+ for adults, $15+ for youth ages 6-12, and complimentary for children under six.
Location:
The Metropolitan
233 S Wacker Drive, 67th Floor, Chicago, Il
312-876-3200
Visit The Metropolitan for its Toy Story-themed “Andy’s Santa Brunch” on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m., promising holiday magic “to infinity and beyond.” Located on the 67th floor of Willis Tower, this one-of-a-kind experience combines breathtaking Chicago skyline views with a whimsical holiday celebration perfect for all ages.
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.
2024 Clark Street Cookie Crawl
Lincoln Park
Sunday, December 8
The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce kicks off the holiday season with sweet treats and festive fun at the Clark Street Cookie Crawl! Families, couples, and friends are invited to wear their coziest holiday pajamas or favorite holiday sweater for a day of delicious fun. Visit businesses along Clark Street to collect a variety of delicious holiday cookies. Enjoy surprises along the way including carolers, hot chocolate, and the chance to snap photos with Santa. Visit the website here.
4th Annual Holiday Cheer Challenge
Downtown
Sunday, December 8
Experience an unforgettable winter adventure at The Honeycomb Project’s 4th Annual Holiday Cheer Challenge on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The event kicks off at 2 p.m. at the InterContinental Magnificent Mile Hotel in Chicago, and then small groups will descend upon the city for a fun-filled scavenger hunt to spread kindness. Participants of all ages will race around downtown performing simple holiday-themed tasks that make others smile, such as caroling at the River Walk, giving bouquets of flowers to tourists and delivering thank you notes to city workers. The event wraps up with an awards ceremony. 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.