Although it is the Windy City year-round, Chicago is also a cold and snowy city during the month of December. But the city transforms into a holiday wonderland in December, with a host of activities for adults and kids. And, as always, the city has a wide variety of cultural and entertainment options.
Museum of Science and Industry
Every year Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry holds a special holiday exhibit known as Christmas Around the World. The museum is decorated with some 50-plus full-size Christmas trees, each representing the tradition of a different country or culture. Ethnic organizations decorate the trees as a way of showcasing the diversity of Chicago. Each weekend in December, a different choir or dance troupe representing a particular culture sings traditional holiday songs or performs Christmas dances. And while you're there, check out the rest of the museum. Christmas Around the World runs from the end of November through New Year's; the museum is closed on Christmas day.
57th Street and Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60637
773-684-1414
msichicago.org
Chicago Christkindlmarket
The Christkindlmarket in Chicago's Daley Plaza is an annual open-air market honoring Chicago's German heritage. The market, which runs for four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, features vendor stalls selling traditional German foods and beverages, hand-crafted German products and imports, art, woodwork, glasswork, jewelry and dozens of other great gift ideas. Traditional holiday dancing accompanied by German language choir groups often add to the European holiday atmosphere. Admission is free.
Daley Plaza between Washington, Clark & Dearborn Street
November 24 to December 24, 2010
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
christkindlmarket.com
Winter Wonder Fest
Located on Chicago's historic Navy Pier, Winter Wonder Fest is an activity-packed carnival-like event complete with an indoor Ferris wheel and many other rides and attractions. There is an indoor skating rink, and sparkling Christmas trees with lights and ornaments illuminate the scene. The festival has a variety of gift and food vendors offering classic holiday treats. The event usually runs through the month of December and into the New Year.
600 East Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-595-PIER
winterwonderfest.com
Zoolights
Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo lights up for the holidays with Zoolights. In addition to dazzling Christmas lights, Zoolights features a Santa Claus with whom children can get their photos taken, ice carving demonstrations, holiday music shows, magicians, laser light shows and even special weekend morning breakfasts with Santa Claus throughout December. And of course you also can visit the animals. The zoo is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
312-742-2000
lpzoo.org
McCormick Ice Rink at Millennium Park
Thousands of skaters visit the outdoor ice rink at Chicago's Millennium Park every year, especially during December. At the holiday season, glittering Christmas trees surround the rink as skaters twirl to holiday music, giving the area a magical holiday atmosphere. The rink is open to the public free of charge between November and March each year, with skate rentals at $9, as of 2010. The rink is open on Christmas day.
55 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60602
312-742-5222
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